Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London, Connecticut, has been recognized as a 2026 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report. This recognition is the highest award given in the publication’s annual Best Hospitals for Maternity Care study.
The hospital earned this designation based on several quality metrics, including rates of unexpected complications, C-sections, and exclusive breast milk feeding. This marks the first time Lawrence + Memorial Hospital (L+M) has received this rating. For its 2026 ratings edition, U.S. News evaluated 901 hospitals nationwide, with only 92 achieving the “High Performing” distinction.
Richard Lisitano, president of L+M, stated: “The U.S. News & World Report rankings serve as a meaningful reflection of the high standards we set for maternity care. This recognition speaks to the skill, compassion, and dedication of our teams, and reinforces our commitment to delivering exceptional care to every mother who turns to us. We are honored to be acknowledged among the best in the country.”
Sarah Cross, MD, chair of Obstetrics & Gynecology at L+M and associate professor at Yale School of Medicine added: “This recognition reflects the extraordinary dedication of our entire team – physicians, nurses, and staff – who work tirelessly to deliver the highest level of care to mothers and their babies. Our continued focus on innovation, patient safety and clinical excellence drives us to keep raising the bar every day.”
The hospital offers a range of services through its 24-bed maternity unit and operates southeastern Connecticut’s only Level IIIA Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), providing specialized care for newborns requiring additional medical support after delivery.
For over a decade, L+M has maintained its Baby Friendly hospital status by adhering to policies from the World Health Organization and UNICEF that promote breastfeeding. The hospital also supports nursing mothers post-discharge through a breastfeeding support group.
U.S. News began evaluating maternity care hospitals in 2021 using data submitted by facilities that provide labor and delivery services. The methodology relies on objective measures such as C-section rates among lower-risk pregnancies, severe unexpected newborn complication rates, exclusive breast milk feeding rates, birthing-friendly practices, and reporting on racial and ethnic disparities.
Lawrence + Memorial Hospital is part of Yale New Haven Health. It is a non-profit institution with 308 beds offering various medical services—including cardiac acute care—and remains the only eastern Connecticut hospital performing both emergency and elective angioplasty procedures.
