Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Tonyie Andrews-Johnson, DNP, RN, C-EFM, HN-BC, Director of Women’s & Pediatric Services, University of Michigan – Sparrow, Lansing, MI
Hear Tonyie and Jeffrey discuss UM Health-Sparrow’s award-winning maternity care, team culture, and impact on mid-Michigan families in the SoundCloud podcast shared below:
Jeffrey had several questions he wanted to find out about in the conversation with Tonyie:
Welcome Tonyie, please share a bit about UMH Sparrow, the Women’s & Pediatric Services department and your role?
Process & Team: This award evaluates hard data like C-section rates and breastfeeding success. What specific changes or initiatives did your team implement over the last few years that you believe directly led to these improved outcomes?
Patient Impact: For an expecting parent reading about this ‘High Performing’ designation, what does that actually mean for their experience and safety at UM Health-Sparrow, from prenatal care to going home with their newborn?
Community Role: U.S. News also highlights hospitals that serve as critical access points in ‘maternity care deserts.’ How does this national recognition reinforce UM Health-Sparrow’s role and responsibility to the broader mid-Michigan community?
Staff Culture: Awards like this are ultimately about people. How have you seen your staff’s dedication and teamwork manifest in daily practice, and how do you plan to celebrate and sustain this culture of excellence?
Future Focus: With this as a benchmark, what are the next goals for your women’s and pediatric services? Where is there still room to grow or innovate in maternity care?
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University of Michigan Health-Sparrow earns national recognition for maternity care
LANSING, Mich. – The stork is flying in with an award: University of Michigan Health-Sparrow has been recognized as a 2026 High Performing Hospital for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report, placing it among the nation’s top hospitals for labor and delivery services.
The “High Performing” designation is the highest award level and is based on excellence across multiple quality measures. These include C-section rates, newborn complication rates, breastfeeding support, episiotomy rates and adherence to federal “birthing-friendly” practices.
“This national recognition is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our entire team, our physicians, midwives, nurses, lactation consultants and support staff, who provide compassionate, evidence-based care to every family we serve,” said Tonyie Andrews-Johnson, director of women’s and pediatric services at UM Health-Sparrow (left). “Our focus is always on ensuring the safest and most supportive birth experience.”
The U.S. News Best Hospitals for Maternity Care ratings are designed to help expectant parents make informed decisions. A record 899 hospitals nationwide participated in the annual survey.
“Achieving this distinction reflects our health system’s system-wide commitment to clinical excellence and continuous improvement in women’s health,” Andrews-Johnson said. “We are honored to be trusted by our community and proud to be recognized on a national stage.”
UM Health-Sparrow is the leading birthing center in Mid-Michigan, with over 3,500 births annually. UM Health-Sparrow Lansing also boasts the region’s only Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for our smallest patients.
The 2026 ratings are published on Health.UsNews.Com/Best-Hospitals/Area/Mi/Sparrow-Hospital-6441595/Maternity. For more information on maternity services at UM Health-Sparrow, visit UofMHealthSparrow.org/departments-conditions/all-departments/labor-delivery
