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LAUREL, Miss. — September 10, 2026 — South Central Regional Medical Center recently earned its Baby-Friendly® recertification, a distinction achieved by only a select group of health care organizations committed to meeting the highest standards in maternity and infant care.
The Baby-Friendly® designation is awarded to hospitals and birth centers that meet rigorous standards for infant feeding support, maternal care and parent education. Facilities must demonstrate their adherence to the World Health Organization’s and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund’s 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding protocol, while also meeting other standards for staff training and parental education.
South Central is proud to have maintained this designation since 2022. This did not, however, happen by accident but rather was a concerted effort made by the South Central Women’s & Children’s Unit in collaboration with South Central’s Outpatient OBGYN Clinics.
“Recertification is a significant accomplishment that reflects years of dedication, “South Central Women’s & Children’s Unit Director, Cynthia Bonner said. “Achieving and maintaining Baby-Friendly® status requires ongoing staff education, policy evaluation and a commitment to providing the highest quality care to our patients. We are very proud to have maintained this designation because we have seen how it helps mothers and their children thrive.”
The recertification comes at a time of significant investment in South Central’s Women’s & Children’s Unit. Through the South Central Health Care Foundation’s “Where Care Begins” campaign, the medical center is working to transform the 27,000-square-foot unit into a modern, state-of-the-art environment designed to enhance both the patient experience and clinical care.
The $2 million campaign will fund the renovation of patient rooms and clinical spaces, while also supporting upgrades to medical equipment and technology. The project aims to create a welcoming, comfortable environment that combines exceptional medical care with amenities designed to meet the needs of growing families.
The campaign officially launched in March 2026 when HGTV’s Home Town renovated several pilot rooms, providing a glimpse of the vision for the fully renovated unit. The redesigned spaces serve as a model for future phases of the project.
“The renewal of our Baby-Friendly designation is a testament to the dedication of our Women’s and Children’s team and our commitment to providing exceptional care and support for the families we serve,” SCRMC’s Chief Nursing Administrator, Tyler Whittington, RN, BSN, said. “As we celebrate this achievement, we are equally excited to launch the “Where Care Begins” campaign and transform South Central’s Women’s and Children’s Unit into a modern environment that enhances both the patient experience and clinical care for generations to come.”
To learn more about this recognition, please visit babyfriendlyusa.org. If you would like to learn more about the South Central Foundation or donate to the “Where Care Begins” capital campaign, please visit the “Where Care Begins” page on scrmc.com/foundation.
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