St. Mary’s Healthcare Recognized as National Safe Sleep Hospital

AMSTERDAM, N.Y., June 15, 2026—St. Mary’s Healthcare has earned gold certification—the highest level of recognition—as a Cribs for Kids® National Safe Sleep Hospital.

This designation is reserved for hospitals that demonstrate adherence to all Cribs for Kids guidelines for promoting safe infant sleep. Guidelines cover staff, patient and other caregiver education and training, community outreach, quality improvement efforts, and other safe sleep practices recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Sleep-related deaths are a leading cause of U.S. infant mortality, claiming the lives of about 3,500 babies each year. The national Cribs for Kids initiative is dedicated to preventing these deaths by educating parents and caregivers about safe-sleep practices. Hospitals like St. Mary’s play a key role in this life-saving program.

“We know that one of the most effective ways to prevent sleep-related infant deaths is to teach parents and caregivers about safe sleep practices and to model that behavior at St. Mary’s,” said Macey Rorick, director of women and family services and maternity at St. Mary’s. “Parents and other caregivers whose infants receive care at St. Mary’s will see these safe-sleep practices in action and will be encouraged to use them at home.”

Earning the certification required a comprehensive, coordinated effort, within and beyond the St. Mary’s organization. Rorick cited support from the hospital’s nursing, maternity, education and other teams, OB/GYN practices, urgent care centers, and community organizations that promoted—and continue to promote—the safe-sleeping initiative.

“We are all partners in safeguarding the region’s babies,” she said.

The Cribs for Kids certification is the latest example of St. Mary’s commitment to best practices that help ensure the highest levels of quality and safety. The hospital is recognized by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield as a Blue Distinction Center for Maternity Care. St. Mary’s also has an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from the Leapfrog Group, making St. Mary’s one of the Capital Region’s safest hospitals.

More information on the Cribs for Kids® National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program is available at www.cribsforkids.org/hospitalcertification

###
About St. Mary’s Healthcare: St. Mary’s Healthcare has been providing high-quality, compassionate healthcare to the people of Montgomery and Fulton counties since 1903. At St. Mary’s Hospital, the Rao Outpatient Pavilion and other locations, the local, independent healthcare organization offers the comprehensive, critical services its community needs and deserves. For more information: (518) 842-1900, www.smha.org or www.facebook.com/smha.org.

Contact:
Kristin Mosher
Director, Marketing and Communications
St. Mary’s Healthcare, Amsterdam
(518) 770-7505
kristin.mosher@nysmha.org