(Batesville, Ark.) – White River Health, White River Medical Center is recognized as a Gold Safe Sleep Hospital, the highest designation, by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program for their commitment to infant safe sleep best practices and education. The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program was created by Cribs for Kids®, a national infant safe sleep organization.

Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, Cribs for Kids is dedicated to preventing infant sleep-related deaths due to SUID (Sudden Unexplained Infant Death) and accidental suffocation. As a Nationally Certified Safe Sleep Hospital, White River Health follows safe sleep guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and provides training programs for healthcare team members, parents, and family caregivers.
“We know that modeling safe infant sleep in the hospital and providing education to families has a significant effect on preventing sleep-related deaths,” said Michael H. Goodstein, MD, Neonatologist and Medical Director of Research at Cribs for Kids®.

“We are proud to continue providing education and best practices to our patients,” said Gary Paxson, President & CEO of White River Health. “Providing knowledge to parents regarding infant safe sleep allows parents and guardians the opportunity to provide the best sleep environment for infants.”
The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program was created in partnership with leading infant health and safety organizations such as All Baby & Child, The National Center for the Review & Prevention of Child Deaths, Association of SIDS and Infant Mortality Programs, Kids in Danger, Children’s Safety Network, American SIDS Institute, Charlie’s Kids, CJ Foundation for SIDS, and numerous state American Academy of Pediatric chapters and health departments.

According to Judith A. Bannon, Executive Director, and Founder for Cribs for Kids®, “The certification program launched in 2015 in Pittsburgh, PA, home of the Cribs for Kids® national headquarters. Hundreds of hospitals across the US are certified. We welcome White River Health to this expanding group of committed hospitals. This will have a profound effect on saving babies’ lives.”

For more information on the Cribs for Kids® National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program, visit https://cribsforkids.org/hospitalcertification/.
White River Health (WRH) is formerly known as White River Health System.  WRH remains an independent, not-for-profit healthcare system serving residents throughout North Central Arkansas.  The system includes hospitals, outpatient facilities, primary care and specialty physician office practices, and Senior Life Centers.  WRH is a member of the Premier Alliance, the American Hospital Association, and the Arkansas Hospital Association and licensed by the Arkansas Department of Health.