View Larger Image UAMS Medical Center has been recognized as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Maternity Care by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. A UAMS sonographer, left, performs an ultrasound on a pregnant mother.
UAMS Medical Center has been recognized as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Maternity Care by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. A UAMS sonographer, left, performs an ultrasound on a pregnant mother.

UAMS Medical Center Earns Blue Distinction Center+ for Maternity Care Designation

By Ben Boulden

| LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Medical Center has been recognized as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Maternity Care by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

A Blue Distinction Center+ for Maternity Care demonstrates expertise, efficiency and a commitment to quality patient care for vaginal and cesarean deliveries. The designated centers demonstrate better overall patient experience and a lower percentage of early elective deliveries.

“UAMS Medical Center was the first Arkansas hospital to earn Blue Distinction Center+ recognition for maternity care,” said Nirvana Manning, M.D., chair and associate professor in the UAMS College of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. “Everyone at UAMS working in maternity care is excited to earn this recognition. We know we work hard every day to ensure that women, their babies and their families receive the best care possible, but it’s especially satisfying when others feel we are achieving that goal.”

UAMS provides comprehensive obstetrical care, including care for high-risk pregnancies. Its team of highly trained individuals includes obstetricians, nurses and central Arkansas’ only maternal fetal medicine physicians to care for mother, baby and family.

“Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield congratulates the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences on its Blue Distinction Center+ for Maternity Care designation,” said Curtis Barnett, president and CEO of Arkansas Blue Cross. “This designation signifies that UAMS has gone through a rigorous, independent evaluation process based on national standards and been found to provide excellent care at reasonable cost. We appreciate UAMS’ shared commitment to quality and helping our members better manage their care through the BDC specialty care program.”

UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and eight institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute, Institute for Digital Health & Innovation and the Institute for Community Health Innovation. UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS’ clinical enterprise. UAMS is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 3,485 students, 915 medical residents and fellows, and seven dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 11,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube or Instagram.

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