UF Health Shands Hospital recently received the highest classification for the maternal care it provides to women through pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care.

In a UF Health press release sent Tuesday, the Joint Commission’s Maternal Levels of Care (MLC) Verification program, in collaboration with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, designated UF Health Shands Hospital a Level IV maternal care verified facility.

“Receiving the Level IV designation — the highest classification — means UF Health Shands has demonstrated its on-site medical and surgical care of the most complex maternal conditions and critically ill pregnant women and fetuses,” the release stated.

“We are grateful for everyone who supports maternity care at UF Health, whether in our outpatient office settings or the inpatient hospital setting,” Dr. John C. Smulian, chair of the UF College of Medicine’s department of obstetrics and gynecology, said in a press release. “Maternity care from conception to delivery and from delivery to the postpartum continuum can be challenging and we are especially proud to receive this recognition for the exceptional care we provide at Shands Hospital for even the most complex of pregnancies.”

The MLC Verification program gives an objective assessment of a facility’s capabilities. The program verifies that a hospital has the equipment, resources and expertise in place for a patient’s risk level and specific needs.

“This level of care can only be provided through collaborative, extensive support from all of the aspects of the health care system that we live in,” Smulian said.