Elliot Hospital Recognized by Newsweek as One of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals for 2026

Elliot Hospital has been named one of Newsweek’s “America’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2026,” a national recognition highlighting hospitals that excel in providing high-quality care to mothers and newborns. 

This distinction evaluates hospitals across the United States based on a comprehensive set of measures, including quality of care, patient experience, and clinical outcomes.

A Trusted Choice for Growing Families 

Elliot Hospital is consistently ranked as a top choice for maternity care in Southern New Hampshire, delivering more babies than any other hospital in the region. With a focus on personalized, compassionate care, families can expect support at every stage — from pregnancy through delivery and postpartum recovery. 

“Our team is deeply committed to providing safe, compassionate, and individualized care for every patient we serve,” said Paula Wellde, executive director of women’s and children’s services for Elliot Health System. “Being recognized on a national level reinforces the dedication of our doctors, nurses, and support staff who make each birth experience meaningful for families.” 

Advanced Care for Every Birth 

Elliot Hospital offers a full continuum of maternity and newborn services designed to support both routine and high-risk pregnancies. 

A key differentiator is the hospital’s Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) — the only one of its kind in Southern New Hampshire — capable of caring for the most premature and critically ill newborns as early as 22-weeks gestation. 

“Families can feel confident knowing that advanced, specialized care is available when it matters most,” said Dr. Lara Hanlon, executive medical director of high-risk obstetrics, neonatology, and maternal-fetal medicine for Elliot Health System. “Our integrated team allows us to manage complex pregnancies and provide the highest level of care for newborns who need additional support. We also offer dedicated postpartum physical therapists to support recovery and optimize healing, as well as a specialized pediatric hospitalist team that provides care for all newborns during their stay on the maternity floor.” 

Commitment to Safety and Best Practices 

Elliot Hospital continues to lead with a strong commitment to patient safety and education. It is the first and only hospital in New Hampshire to earn Gold Level recognition from the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program, reflecting its dedication to promoting safe sleep practices and reducing the risk of infant-related sleep deaths. 

Elliot Maternity also emphasizes family-centered care with private labor and delivery rooms, bedside newborn care, and dedicated lactation support to help families feel confident as they begin their journey at home. 

Enhancing the Patient Experience 

In Spring 2026, Elliot Hospital unveiled its newly renovated Labor & Delivery Unit, featuring refreshed patient rooms and updated clinical spaces designed to improve comfort, safety, and efficiency for both patients and care teams. 

These enhancements reflect the organization’s ongoing investment in creating a welcoming, modern environment for one of life’s most important moments. 

Learn More or Schedule a Tour 

Families considering where to welcome their newest addition are encouraged to explore everything Elliot Hospital has to offer.

Schedule a tour of our Labor & Delivery Unit

Learn more about our maternity services