Southwest Riverside County Hospital Among Best Maternity Care: U.S. News & World Report 2026

MURRIETA, CA — Murrieta's Loma Linda University's Children's Hospital and Medical Center have been recognized as Best Hospitals for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report for 2026.

This is the highest award a hospital can earn as part of U.S. News' Best Hospitals for Maternity Care annual study, according to a recent news release.

Jonathan Jean-Marie, MHA, FACHE, the senior vice president and administrator of Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrieta, spoke on the achievement.

"Being among the top hospitals nationally in maternity care highlights our continuous effort to prioritize safe, compassionate, and comprehensive care for all our patients," Jean-Marie said. "This achievement is truly a testament to the dedication, expertise, and commitment of our exceptional care teams and inspires us to continue offering the best possible care to every family we serve."

"Loma Linda University Children's Hospital is often recognized for its expertise in high-risk pregnancy care and for maintaining a Level 4 NICU. However, this accolade highlights our equal dedication to excellence in low-risk scenarios," said Peter Baker, JD, MBA, senior vice president and administrator of Children's Hospital.

“This recognition for our excellent care for low-risk maternity cases is a great honor and emphasizes our commitment to providing safe, compassionate, and comprehensive care to all our patients.”

U.S News evaluated maternity care hospitals, rating hospitals that provide labor and delivery services, and submitted detailed data to the publication for analysis. In 2026, approximately 900 hospitals nationwide submitted maternity data for evaluation.

Recognition of maternity care was assessed using objective indicators such as C-section rates in low-risk pregnancies, rates of severe, unexpected newborn complications, exclusive breastfeeding rates, and birthing-friendly practices, among others.

Visit us online for more information on maternity care services at Children's Hospital or LLUMC–Murrieta.