Women’s Life Center Earns Gold Level Award from Kansas’s Fourth Trimester Initiative 

(Emporia, KS) – The Newman Regional Health Women’s Life Center has earned Gold Level designation for its participation in the Fourth Trimester Initiative, launched by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Perinatal Quality Collaborative (KPQC). 

The staff at the Women’s Life Center achieved this recognition by meeting the initiative’s high-level goals. They were one of 40 participants and among 22 organizations to reach Gold Level status. 

The Fourth Trimester Initiative was developed in response to data showing that more than half (52.4%) of pregnancy-associated deaths in Kansas occur after 42 days postpartum. The initiative focuses on improving quality care, provider communication, and collaboration during the transition from pregnancy through the postpartum period. 

“We are honored to achieve Gold Level designation for our participation,” said Bobby Johnson, Director of the Women’s Life Center. “As the initiative transitions into its next phase, we are excited to continue applying evidence-based practices to improve maternal outcomes. We join KDHE and the KPQC in their mission to make Kansas the best place to give birth, be born, and raise a family.” 

The initiative supports mothers through several safety components, including screening for health issues and connecting them to appropriate providers or services, improving communication between doctors and nurses to enhance care, and educating mothers on maintaining health after childbirth. 

The Newman Regional Health Women’s Life Center is also recognized as a Birthing-Friendly Hospital, a Blue Cross & Blue Shield Blue Distinction Center+ for Maternity Care, a Certified Safe Sleep Hospital, a High 5 Premier Hospital, a member of the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition, Inc., a Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll recipient, and a recipient of the Best of the Best in Newborn Screening Award.