Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

Platte County Memorial Hospital - Free Birthing Classes

Platte County holds free birthing classes for expectant parents three times per year in January, June, and September. Classes, which are two hours long and run for four consecutive weeks, teach what to expect during the pregnancy, birthing process, and post-partum. One-to-one instruction is also available. Partner organizations offer weekly support for the first two years of the baby's life. Who is it for? Parents-to-be in the community. Why do they do it? The impetus for offering these classes is to prepare new parents to make informed health care decisions and to decrease anxiety and pain during the whole experience. This ultimately leads to healthier parents and babies. Impact This program has been in place for more than 20 years, with an average of 15 sets of parents participating each year. Contact: Amy Forsberg, RN, Interim Chief Nursing Officer Telephone: (307) 322-3636, ext. 2483 E-mail: amy.forsberg@bannerhealth.com

Community Connections is an initiative of the AHA to support and highlight the work hospitals do every day in America.

Hospitals are working not just to mend bodies, but also to make their patients and communities healthier. This work extends far beyond the hospital building – bringing free clinics, job training, smoking-cessation classes, back-to-school immunizations, literacy programs and so many other resources, often with little fanfare, directly to the people of the community.

As the national advocate for hospitals, the AHA has consistently supported our members as they develop fair and compassionate policies to help improve access to care for the uninsured, as they work to expand wellness and prevention activities and as they routinely demonstrate their commitment to improving the health and addressing the unmet needs of their patients and communities.

Hospital members are encouraged to submit their stories today.