ANN ARBOR, Mich. – University of Michigan Health Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital has received a Level IV Maternal Levels of Care designation from the Joint Commission — the highest possible level.

Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital is the first Level IV designated hospital in Michigan and the second hospital in the state to undergo this rigorous verification process. 

"This prestigious Maternal Levels of Care designation is a testament to the unparalleled expertise and unwavering commitment of our teams," said Luanne Thomas Ewald, M.H.A., FACHE, chief operating officer of C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital. 

"It should assure every maternal health patient that they will receive the highest standard of care, even in the most complex cases. I am deeply grateful to our dedicated staff for their passion, diligence and relentless pursuit of excellence in women's health that have made this achievement possible." 

The Maternal Levels of Care verification program confirms that a hospital has "the expertise, equipment and resources" to care for maternal health patients and that patients can trust in the "quality and safety of its services and treatments". 

This designation verifies Von Voigtlander as a Regional Perinatal Health Care Center, i.e., one with "on-site medical and surgical care of the most complex maternal conditions and critically ill pregnant women and fetuses throughout antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum care."

The Joint List operates the Maternal Levels of Care verification program in collaboration with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Von Voigtlander underwent a comprehensive on-site review to verify the level of care provided.

"Our teams and facilities are equipped to handle the most complex maternal conditions," said Dee Fenner, M.D., chair of the Michigan Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

"We are committed to safe, patient-centered and evidence-based care before, during and after childbirth."