Norman Regional Earns Gold Award for Excellence in Perinatal Care Second Year in a Row

Category: Information, Women's Services
Posted On: Dec 16, 2025

For the second year in a row, Norman Regional Health System has earned the Oklahoma Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative (OPQIC) Gold Award for Excellence in Perinatal Care. The achievement was announced at the 11^th Annual OPQIC Summit in November in Oklahoma City, OK. Norman Regional was one of just eight birthing hospitals in Oklahoma to earn the top award this year, showing that the Gold Award for Excellence in Perinatal Care isn’t just a recognition, it’s a statement of trust.

The OPQIC Gold Award acknowledges Oklahoma birthing hospitals that are creating a culture of excellence for mothers and newborns, and excel in various metrics tied to perinatal health outcomes.

The criteria for “Spotlight Hospitals” to meet for designation of bronze, silver and gold levels includes:

CMS “Birthing Friendly” Designation
Breastfeeding practices
Cribs for Kids Safe Sleep Certification
Oklahoma Maternal Addiction and Mental Health Assistance surveys completed
TeamBirth participation
The Joint Commission Perinatal Care Certified
Newborn Screening - Transit Times
Newborn Screening - Unsatisfactory rates

Norman Regional’s perinatal team has met or exceeded these key benchmarks at the gold-level standard for the second year in a row.

“Our perinatal team is honored to be selected again this year and is proud of their entire care team for the hard work and dedication that made this recognition possible,” said Annette Troxell, Director of Patient Care Services.

Strengthened Teamwork and a Culture of Excellence

Behind this award lies a team of perinatal nurses, obstetricians, lactation consultants, neonatal-ICU specialists, therapists, administrative staff and more. Over the past year, Norman Regional’s Women’s & Children’s units have not just ‘met benchmarks,’ but have built a nurturing, inclusive and family-centered culture for their patients.

Why the Gold Award Matters and What It Means for You

Quality you can count on

The OPQIC Gold Award reflects adherence to strong perinatal standards of safe delivery practices, team work and open communication, timely and thorough newborn screening, breastfeeding support, safe-sleep education and more.

“For expectant parents, this recognition means knowing the hospital their baby will be born at is held to rigorous standards of safety and quality,” said Troxell. “Earning this award for a second time shows our commitment to mothers and newborns, aiming for nothing short of providing the best care to our patients.”

Compassionate, personalized care

At Norman Regional, our care teams aim to provide our patients with personalized healthcare. When a patient walks in the door, they are going to receive high-quality, compassionate care.

“We know the experience, trust and the human connection our patients receive are just as important as their medical outcomes,” said Troxell. “This recognition proves that our physicians and Healers operate with excellence.”

A community resource

By maintaining a high standard of maternal-infant care, we aim to be a trusted partner for families across Norman, and our south-central Oklahoma neighboring communities.

Norman Regional Perinatal Services

Norman Regional offers a wide array of perinatal services, ensuring comprehensive care for expectant mothers and their families. These include:

Labor and Delivery Services: At Norman Regional, we understand that every birth is unique. Our state-of-the-art labor and delivery facilities are designed with comfort, safety and flexibility in mind. From private birthing suites to advanced monitoring and care, we support natural births, medicated deliveries and high-risk situations. Our team of physicians and nurses collaborate closely with families to ensure their birth plans are respected while prioritizing safety and health.

Newborn Care: The first moments after birth are crucial for bonding and health. Norman Regional emphasizes practices like skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding support to promote healthy development and strong connections. Our certified lactation consultants are available to provide education, encouragement and guidance to new mothers navigating their breastfeeding journey.

Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): Norman Regional’s Level III NICU offers expert care for premature and critically ill newborns. Staffed with neonatologists, specialized nurses, respiratory therapists and other dedicated professionals, the NICU provides 24/7 care in a nurturing environment. Equipped with advanced technology, the unit is capable of addressing complex medical needs, offering families peace of mind and comprehensive support during challenging times.

High-Risk Pregnancy Management: For expectant mothers facing complications or high-risk conditions, Norman Regional provides tailored care plans and monitoring. Our maternal-fetal medicine specialists collaborate with obstetricians and other healthcare providers to deliver comprehensive care for conditions like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and multiple pregnancies. With advanced diagnostic tools and interventions, we ensure optimal outcomes for both mother and baby.

Prenatal and Postpartum Education and Support: Education is key in preparing for childbirth and parenthood. Norman Regional offers a variety of prenatal classes, covering topics like childbirth preparation, breastfeeding, newborn care and more.

TeamBirth Participation: Norman Regional is part of the TeamBirth initiative, a national program focused on enhancing communication and collaboration during labor and delivery. By placing families at the front of the decision-making process and ensuring seamless teamwork among healthcare providers, the initiative promotes safe and empowering birth experiences.

Breastfeeding Friendly: Norman Regional is proud to follow the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding from the World Health Organization. This includes promoting breastfeeding, reducing unnecessary interventions and fostering practices that support maternal and infant health.

Advanced Support Services: Beyond direct care, Norman Regional offers comprehensive resources, including 24/7 access to specialists through its nationally recognized Obstetrical Emergency Department, emotional health support and connections to community programs that assist families with their unique needs.

Norman Regional’s comprehensive approach ensures that families receive exceptional care at every stage of their journey, from pregnancy through delivery and beyond.

Whether you’re expecting your first child, planning for more, or simply wanting a hospital you trust, we hope you’ll consider Norman Regional Hospital, where we continue to set the standard for perinatal care in Oklahoma.

About Oklahoma Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative

The mission of the OPQIC is to provide leadership and engage interested stakeholders in a collaborative effort to improve the health outcomes for Oklahoma women and infants using evidence-based practice guidelines and quality improvement processes. OPQIC works with Oklahoma birthing hospitals and perinatal care providers of all types to improve perinatal care of Oklahoma mothers and newborns by collaborating with partners to identify and remove barriers to providing safe, quality and equitable perinatal care.