ST. MARYS, Ohio (9-30-26) — Joint Township District Memorial Hospital (JTDMH) is proud to announce that its Birthing Center has achieved Platinum status for Father/Partner Engagement through the Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies Program, a joint initiative of the Ohio Hospital Association (OHA) and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).
With this achievement, JTDMH has successfully completed Steps 9 and 10 of the Father/Partner Engagement Designation and has also renewed Step 8. The Platinum designation represents the highest level of recognition available through the Father/Partner Engagement component of the program. The Birthing Center at JTDMH is one of only 11 hospitals in Ohio to achieve the Platinum designation for Father/Partner Engagement.
The Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies Program is a voluntary designation program that recognizes Ohio maternity centers for implementing practices that promote, protect, and support breastfeeding. The program is based on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, as defined by the World Health Organization and Baby-Friendly USA. Ohio First Steps, in partnership with the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood, began recognizing hospitals in 2022 for their efforts to support family breastfeeding goals by actively engaging fathers and partners in the breastfeeding journey.
Amy Becker, Birthing Center Nurse Manager at JTDMH
“ We are incredibly proud of our physicians, nurses, certified nurse-midwives, and lactation consultants for their dedication to providing compassionate, evidence-based care to breastfeeding families.Their collaborative approach ensures that parents receive the education, encouragement, and support they need to meet their infant feeding goals.” Just as importantly, our team recognizes the vital role that fathers, partners, and other support persons play in a family’s breastfeeding journey. By engaging the entire family, we help create a strong foundation for breastfeeding success, healthy infant development, and positive family experiences.”
The Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies program awards a star for every two steps achieved within the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, with hospitals able to earn up to five stars. The initiative encourages maternity centers to implement evidence-based practices one step at a time, allowing facilities to select which steps they adopt as they work to strengthen breastfeeding support. JTDMH’s Platinum Father/Partner Engagement designation is valid for three years.
The recognition reflects the hospital’s continued commitment to providing family-centered maternity care and supporting parents throughout their breastfeeding experience. For more information about the Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies Program, visit www.ohiohospitals.org/ohiofirststeps.
Joint Township District Memorial Hospital 200 St. Clair Street, St.Marys, Ohio 45885 2400 Phone: 419-394-6354 Fax: 419-394-9450
