SLV Health Recognized for Work to Improve Breastfeeding

Posted On:

Sep 29, 2026

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) recognized 36 hospitals for their commitment to promoting and supporting breastfeeding through the Colorado Hospital Lactation Collaborative. The awards recognize hospitals that have implemented evidence-based maternity care policies and practices that support breastfeeding and improve care for families across Colorado.

At the September 16th event, CDPHE honored San Luis Valley Health with the Colorado Hospital Breastfeeding Excellence Platinum Award. The Colorado Hospital Breastfeeding Excellence Award honors hospitals on a biennial basis for their commitment to evidence-based maternity care and breastfeeding support through written hospital policies that follow eight of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative’s Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. Award levels range from Bronze to Diamond based on the number of Steps implemented. These evidence-based policies and practices are designed to increase breastfeeding success and improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

SLV Health is proud to receive this honor, which reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to safe, high-quality maternity care and breastfeeding support for families across the San Luis Valley. Carmelo Hernandez, MD, MHA, Chief Medical Officer at SLV Health, commented, “SLV Health is committed to providing a safe and exceptional experience for all of the families we care for. Our team of obstetric providers, nurse anesthetists, and nursing staff are focused on providing a quality experience one patient at the time. The breast-feeding excellence award is a just and timely recognition of our great team and the personal care we provide all of our patients.” SLV Health CEO Konnie Martin stated, “We are incredibly proud of our team for earning the Colorado Hospital Breastfeeding Excellence Platinum Award. This recognition reflects their dedication to providing evidence-based, compassionate care that supports mothers, babies and families throughout the San Luis Valley.”

Additionally, CDPHE recognized all eight Baby-Friendly designated facilities in Colorado for receiving and maintaining the Baby-Friendly designation. The Colorado Hospital Lactation Collaborative is open to all hospitals and birthing facilities and provides free training, resources, and technical assistance to help facilities implement evidence-based maternity care policies and practices that strengthen breastfeeding support and improve care for families. The Collaborative also supports facilities interested in pursuing and maintaining Baby-Friendly designation and implementing the evidence-based practices outlined in the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative’s Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.

“Evidence-based hospital practices can make a meaningful difference not only in whether families start breastfeeding, but in how long they continue. The support families receive during their hospital stay can have an impact long after they go home. Our Colorado data show that parents who reported receiving at least five of the Ten Steps during their hospital stay breastfed for approximately three months longer than those who did not,” said Stacy Miller, Breastfeeding Specialist at CDPHE and facilitator of the Colorado Hospital Lactation Collaborative.

In addition to SLV Health, CDPHE recognized 35 other Colorado hospitals with the Colorado Hospital Breastfeeding Excellence Award. Award levels are based on the number of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative’s Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding incorporated into written hospital policies:

Bronze Award: 2 Steps
Silver Award: 4 Steps
Gold Award: 6 Steps
Platinum Award: 8 Steps
Diamond Award: 10 Steps

The 36 hospitals recognized are:

Aspen Valley Health* - Diamond Award
Banner Fort Collins Medical Center - Gold Award
Banner Northern Colorado Medical Center - Platinum Award
Boulder Community Health* - Diamond Award
Children's Hospital Colorado - Platinum Award
CommonSpirit Longmont United Hospital - Platinum Award
CommonSpirit St. Anthony Summit Hospital - Platinum Award
CommonSpirit St. Francis Hospital - Platinum Award
Community Hospital - Platinum Award
Denver Health - Platinum Award
East Morgan County Hospital - Platinum Award
Gunnison Valley Health Hospital* - Diamond Award
HCA HealthONE Aurora - Platinum Award
HCA HealthONE Mountain Ridge - Platinum Award
Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center - Platinum Award
Intermountain Health Good Samaritan Hospital* - Diamond Award
Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital* - Diamond Award
Intermountain Health Platte Valley Hospital* - Diamond Award
Intermountain Health St. Joseph Hospital* - Diamond Award
Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital - Diamond Award
Montrose Regional Health - Platinum Award
Prowers Medical Center - Gold Award
San Luis Valley Health Regional Medical Center - Platinum Award
Southwest Memorial Hospital - Gold Award
UCHealth Greeley Hospital - Platinum Award
UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital - Platinum Award
UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital - Platinum Award
UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies - Platinum Award
UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central - Platinum Award
UCHealth Memorial Hospital North - Platinum Award
UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital - Platinum Award
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital - Diamond Award
UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center - Platinum Award
Vail Health - Platinum Award
Valley View Hospital* - Diamond Award
Wray Community District Hospital - Platinum Award

*Denotes a Baby-Friendly certified hospital

Learn more about the Colorado Hospital Lactation Collaborative (formerly CBFHC) atBreastfeedColorado.com or contact Stacy Miller at stacy.miller@state.co.us or 303-319-1929.