Texas Health Celebrates "Baby-Friendly" Designation for Three Hospitals

The first lady of Texas, Anita Perry, R.N., wife of Gov. Rick Perry, joined community leaders April 30 in lauding Texas Health Resources for achieving "Baby-Friendly" recognition for three system facilities: Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Allen, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford, and Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Stephenville.

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is an international program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) that is designed to encourage and acknowledge hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for lactation.

Perry and Texas Health Senior Executive Vice President Barclay Berdan congratulated Texas Health Allen for being the first hospital in Texas to achieve the Baby-Friendly designation, and also praised Texas Health HEB and Texas Health Stephenville for joining Texas Health Allen in expanding support for new mothers across North Texas.

"I commend you for leading the way in adopting the Baby Friendly practices encouraged by the World Health Organization and UNICEF," Perry said. "Recognizing the importance of getting every baby off to a healthy start is the very first step of many in the journey to a long, healthy life.

"The state of Texas joins me and all those gathered here today in lauding your accomplishments and honoring the work you do for our most vulnerable citizens, and our newest citizens, our babies."

Texas Health Resources
1-877-THR-WELL
www.TexasHealth.org