St. John’s Episcopal Hospital Earns International Baby-Friendly Recognition for Excellence in Mother-Baby Care

Far Rockaway, New York, July 22, 2025 — St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, part of Episcopal Health Services (EHS), is proud to announce it has been officially redesignated as a Baby-Friendly® Hospital, following a rigorous review by Baby-Friendly USA – the accrediting body and national authority for the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in the United States.

This prestigious international recognition reflects the hospital’s continued efforts to provide optimal care for infant feeding and mother-baby bonding, grounded in the latest evidence and international best practices. The Baby-Friendly standards are grounded in the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, a globally recognized framework developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to ensure high-quality support during the crucial first days of a newborn’s life.

“This redesignation is more than a milestone – it reflects EHS’s unwavering commitment to health equity and excellence,” said Donald T. Morrish, MD, MMM, Chief Executive Officer at EHS. “Every mother-to-be deserves access to safe, high-quality maternal and newborn care, and this recognition affirms we are meeting international standards while continuing to raise the bar for the communities we serve.”

“Being redesignated as a Baby-Friendly Hospital is a powerful affirmation of our clinical standards and patient-centered care approach,” said Jacqueline Marecheau, MD, FACOG, Chair of Obstetrics & Gynecology at EHS. “We are deeply committed to supporting mothers and families from their very first moments as parents – through education, empowerment, and care that honors each family’s values.”

This redesignation comes at a pivotal moment, as EHS prepares to open its new state-of-the-art Labor and Delivery Suite later this month – further expanding access to culturally responsive, equitable maternal care on the Rockaway Peninsula.