U.S. News & World Report has named 26 Intermountain Health hospitals to its 2026 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care for mom and baby outcomes, education, and patient satisfaction.

The 26 Intermountain hospitals earned a high performing designation in maternity care for uncomplicated pregnancies in areas such as cesarean sections in lower-risk pregnancies, vaginal births after cesarean-section (VBAC) rates, newborn severe complications rates, birthing friendly and education practices, and outcome disparities based on race/ethnicity, among other measures.

Intermountain Health has more hospitals named by U.S. News & World Report for 2026 than any other health system in the country.

Intermountain hospitals cited by U.S. News & World Report for 2026 include:

• Intermountain Health American Fork Hospital (Utah)
• Intermountain Health Cassia Regional Hospital (Burley, Idaho)*
• Intermountain Health Cedar City Hospital (Utah)*
• Intermountain Health Delta Community Hospital (Utah)*
• Intermountain Health Garfield Memorial Hospital (Panguitch, Utah)*
• Intermountain Health Heber Valley Hospital (Utah)*
• Intermountain Health Holy Rosary Hospital (Miles City, Mont.)
• Intermountain Health Intermountain Medical Center (Murray, Utah)
• Intermountain Health Layton Hospital (Utah)
• Intermountain Health LDS Hospital (Salt Lake City)
• Intermountain Health Logan Regional Hospital (Utah)
• Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital (Wheat Ridge, Colo.
• Intermountain Health McKay-Dee Hospital (Ogden, Utah)
• Intermountain Health Orem Community Hospital (Utah)
• Intermountain Health Park City Hospital (Utah)
• Intermountain Health Platte Valley Hospital (Brighton, Colo.)
• Intermountain Health Riverton Hospital (Utah)
• Intermountain Health Saint Joseph Hospital (Denver)
• Intermountain Health Sanpete Valley Hospital (Mt. Pleasant, Utah)*
• Intermountain Health Sevier Valley Hospital (Richfield, Utah)*
• Intermountain Health Spanish Fork Hospital (Utah)
• Intermountain Health St. George Regional Hospital (Utah)*
• Intermountain Health St. James Hospital (Butte, Mont.)*
• Intermountain Health St. Mary's Hospital (Grand Junction, Colo.)
• Intermountain Health St. Vincent Hospital (Billings, Mont.)
• Intermountain Health Utah Valley Hospital (Provo, Utah

"This recognition is meaningful because it reflects what families experience at the bedside: safe, consistent, high quality, compassionate care," said Sean Esplin, MD, a maternal fetal medicine physician and senior medical director of women’s health at Intermountain Health.

"Our clinical program has worked across hospitals to align on proven evidence-based care practices to lower cesarean-section rates in low‑risk pregnancies, thoughtfully support VBAC deliveries, reduce newborn complications, elevate patient education, and advance equity so every mother and baby can expect excellent outcomes," he added.

U.S. News also recognizes Maternity Care Access Hospitals, which provide maternity services to communities that might otherwise have inadequate access to maternity care, sometimes referred to as "maternity care deserts." The report identified 147 critical access hospitals in total, with nine Intermountain hospitals making the list (noted "*" above).

Intermountain  Health is determined to provide the highest quality care to pregnant and postpartum patients and their babies, by improving outcomes and access to care within its six-state region. For example, Intermountain recently announced an innovative care program for pregnant and postpartum women with hypertension, and published a study identifying hypertension risks during pregnancy.

Receiving this designation is evidence of the unwavering dedication of our nurses, physicians, midwives, and teams who show up for mothers and babies every day to deliver high‑quality care—and a reminder to keep improving together, for every family we serve,” added Dr. Esplin.

For more information regarding Intermountain Health pregnancy and maternity services, please visit https://intermountainhealthcare.org/services/womens-health/pregnancy.

Click here for more information about the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.

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Tiana New, an inmate at the Riverside Women’s Correctional Facility in Boulder, Montana, recently had her first mammogram thanks to an innovative program that Intermountain Health St. James Hospital has taken on the road.  

“I was nervous at first,” New said. “But the women on the bus were so kind and made me feel very welcome.” 

The bus is the Intermountain Health Mobile Mammography Unit from Intermountain St. James Hospital in Butte, and caregivers took the unit to the correctional facility earlier this month to provide 3D mammograms for the inmates. 

“Being able to provide those services while they are incarcerated really gives our female population an opportunity for early detection for breast cancer,” said Todd Boese, health services manager for the Montana Department of Corrections. “We are incredibly grateful to be supported by Intermountain Health St. James Hospital to provide this service to the 50 women here.”  

The mammography bus is designed to provide the latest mammography screening technology in a confidential, comfortable environment.  

“We have had back-to-back appointments scheduled each time we visit Riverside,” said Jerri Doyle, director of Oncology Services at Intermountain St. James Hospital. “It is part of our mission to ensure that all women have access to screening for breast cancer because we know that early detection saves lives. We are proud to provide the service to women and bring care to the prison.” 

With 80 stops and screenings across seven counties in Montana annually, this marks the second visit of the Intermountain St. James mobile mammography bus to Riverside this year, with plans underway for another. 

“Seeing other people do it encourages other women to get their mammogram,” said Sandi Cantrell, an inmate at Riverside. “Cancer shows no prejudice – it's out for all of us, and I am very blessed that they bring this care directly to us.” 

Driven by its mission to serve the vulnerable and help people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain St. James Hospital launched a mobile mammography program in 2023 to better care for the women of southwest Montana. 

The program removes barriers to screening by making it faster and more convenient for women to have a screening mammogram, the key to lifesaving, early detection of breast cancer.   

“Some of the girls here have denied the care, so being able to show them that it’s a safe space with our best interest at heart is huge,” said New. “I am incredibly grateful to the team at Intermountain St. James for providing us with kindness and access to these screenings.” 

In addition to the outreach in Boulder, the Intermountain Health Mobile Mammography program based in Billings has been providing outreach services to the women’s prison in Billings quarterly, since 2016.  

“We know how important these screenings are for women, so we’re thrilled that we can offer these services to our patients in Boulder,” DOC Health Services Bureau Chief Cindy Hiner said. “We appreciate the kindness and care of our DOC medical staff and the St. James medical staff who make this a seamless experience for the women receiving this important preventative care. The DOC works hard to ensure inmates are receiving the best care possible at all our secure facilities.” 

Becky Bannon, a registered nurse from Anaconda, Montana, has spent over 25 years in the medical field. Even with her medical background and knowledge, life got busy, and she delayed her own health screenings. 

It was a year ago, at age 52, when Bannon went for her first screening colonoscopy at Intermountain Health St. James Hospital. With no family history of colon cancer, Bannon expected routine results. 

She was surprised when she received a diagnosis of a concerning precancerous colon polyp. Because of the stage of the polyp, it was recommended that Bannon have the right side of her colon removed to prevent further advancement of her condition and to prevent the development of cancer. 

Fortunately, colon cancer has a 90 percent survival rate when detected early. 

Updated national guidelines recommend individuals start screening at age 45. Colonoscopies are considered the gold standard for detection, as they not only detect abnormalities but also remove precancerous polyps. For most patients, a colonoscopy is needed once every 10 years, or once every five years if there is an increased risk. 

Reflecting on the experience, Bannon realized that if she had gone for her screening earlier the polyp might have been detected at an earlier stage, potentially avoiding the need for such an extensive surgery. Her message to others is to not delay your screenings. 

“The sooner you get your screening the better,” said Bannon. “Had I not gone in last year. It could have been a whole different situation.” 

A year later, Bannon had a follow-up colonoscopy, which came back clear. She will now have a follow up colonoscopy three years from now. 

Knowing individual risks is vital and important and should be discussed with a medical provider. Factors such as age, family history, personal history of polyps or inflammatory bowel disease, and lifestyle factors like diet, smoking, and lack of physical activity can increase your risk. 

Bannon is sharing her story to highlight the importance of early screening, especially given the rise in younger patients being diagnosed with colon cancer. She encourages everyone to talk to their primary care provider to determine the best screening options for them. 

“Waiting for symptoms is too late,” said Brenna Fanning, MD, surgeon at Intermountain Health St. James Hospital. “Screening occurs when you have no symptoms and feel well. Early detection is critical to catching colorectal cancer and saving lives.” 

When assessing your risks, Bannon also encourages open conversations between family members. After sharing her news with her family, she learned that other family members had several polyps removed during a screening colonoscopy. “The more we talk about it and share, the better off we will be,” she said.

Colorectal cancer incidence has been steadily increasing in younger Americans, with the sharpest rise seen in rectal cancer. In 2020, 11% of all colon cancer and 15% of all rectal cancer diagnoses were estimated to occur in individuals under age 50. This rise is alarming because younger patients often have more advanced cases by the time they’re diagnosed. 

“Younger individuals face unique barriers when it comes to colon cancer screenings, such as a lack of awareness about the need for screening, fear or discomfort associated with the procedure and challenges in navigating the healthcare system,” said Dr Fanning. “It’s crucial for everyone, regardless of age, to understand their personal risk factors and discuss them with their healthcare provider to determine the best screening plan.” 

For those with low risk factors, other screening options are available, including the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) and Cologuard, both of which are non-invasive and can be done at home. 

These tests detect hidden blood or abnormal DNA markers in stool samples, and a positive result will require a follow-up colonoscopy. Understanding risks and exploring screening options are vital steps in preventing colorectal cancer.

A buzz of children zips around their grandma, their energy is overflowing and infectious. It’s clear they love it at her house. They are over there three times a week.  

Their grandma, Meg Bristol, gets up and down to help them find snacks, water or the toys they want, then she pulls them onto her lap for a story. 

The movements it takes to cater to the beelines that circle her, are basic — bending, walking, going up stairs — but they are done with intention and gratitude.  

“The last year and a half, I was limited to hardly doing anything. The pain going up to my hip just because of the knee, it was excruciating,” said Bristol. “I couldn't take a walk with the kids. I couldn't have any functions outside — playing baseball with them, running around. It was miserable.” 

She is an active woman who regularly walks over two miles a day. She also enjoys fishing, hiking, and various activities with her grandchildren. However, she was unable to participate in these activities for a year and a half due to pain. Her symptoms came on after a previous knee replacement surgery and she was unsure what she could do to get back to her previous levels of activity. 

When a patient has a first-time knee replacement, physicians call it a primary knee replacement. 

Orthopedic surgeons makes an incision down the front of the knee and trims the ends of the bone. Metal caps are cemented on the end of the thigh bone and on the top of the shin bone. Those caps are similar to cementing a porcelain cap onto your tooth. A plastic liner between the two metal portions works as the patient’s new cartilage. 

Bristol’s knee replacement didn’t go as planned, though. 

After her first replacement, one of the rods fractured her femur. That’s when she knew she needed help from someone exceptional.  

She made an appointment with Christopher Stenger, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Intermountain Health St. James Hospital in Butte.  

“When I saw Meg in the office, I knew that there was a problem because she had pain in a specific area,” he explained, talking about the pain she felt shooting up into her hip. “When I got the X-ray, it was obvious that she had what we call a prosthetic fracture, which is a fracture of the femur, the thigh bone around the prosthesis. It’s a devastating type of a problem because it requires some pretty extensive surgery.” 

The “extensive surgery” involves making a long incision — through layers of skin, fat and muscle — to expose the thigh bone. 

The procedure then requires pulling the muscle off the bone to place a large plate and screws that span from the knee up into the hip. The recovery time can be double what it is for a primary knee replacement.  The patient can’t put weight on it for the first 8 to 12 weeks, significantly limiting mobility.  

Bristol moved forward with the plan she’d made with Dr. Stenger. First, he took the prosthesis out. Then he put in a bigger prosthesis that has rods go up her thigh bone and down her shinbone. It’s more complex than a first-time knee replacement — the surgery takes longer, and the recovery is longer.  

Bristol is now done with physical therapy and said she feels like she finally has her life back after six years of pain. It’s been six months since her surgery, and she is able to walk two to three miles with no problem. She’s especially looking forward to hiking this summer.  

Dr. Stenger witnessed Bristol walking without the aid of a walker or cane.  

“When I see a patient that I've operated on out in the community, it means the world to me when I see them,” said Stenger.  “They’re able to do the things that they want to do, and that's what I care most about. That’s why I do what I do for a living.” 

Bristol says Butte is lucky to have Stenger.  

“He's very, very good,” Bristol said.  “I feel like he saved my leg to make it where it is today.”

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February is American Heart Month and heart experts at Intermountain Health are helping educate residents about the signs of a heart attack and how to help someone experiencing cardiac arrest. 

Unlike what is often depicted on TV, the symptoms of a heart attack aren’t always sudden overwhelming heavy pounding chest pains, and symptoms can vary widely between men and women. 

“Men have more identifiable symptoms, like chest pain, jaw pain, or arm pain,” explained Raelene Mulcahy, cardiovascular program coordinator at Intermountain Health St. James Hospital. “Women are a little more subtle with things like stomach or back pain. These different symptoms, along with the sudden onset, results in heart disease being the leading cause of death for both men and women.” 

For many people, symptoms of a heart attack can start out as simple discomfort in the arm or back or shortness of breath, which can last for hours and seem like a common illness. 

For some, symptoms include discomfort in the center of the chest, which may last more than a few minutes, or it may go away and then return. It may feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. 

Other symptoms can include pain or discomfort in the arms (one or both), back, neck, jaw, or stomach. Shortness of breath can happen with or without chest discomfort. Possible signs include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, rapid or irregular heartbeat, feeling unusually tired, or becoming lightheaded. 

For Ralph Boerner, 73, his symptoms last July started out as shortness of breath while he was doing his normal workout at a local gym. 

“I just thought because it was a bad air day it must have been impacting me a little more than usual,” said Boerner. “So, I went back to my locker to grab my inhaler and that’s when I passed out.” 

Two men, who both happened to work in medicine, rushed over to see what happened, while another gym member called for help. One man is an EMT and the other, Wil Allen, is a nurse in the emergency department at Intermountain Health St. James Hospital in Butte. 

“Ralph was slumped up against the locker and we thought he had passed out, but when we checked his pulse, he didn’t have one,” said Allen. “We immediately began CPR and told someone to call 911.” 

The men took turns doing CPR for more than 10 minutes until a police officer arrived on scene with an automated external defibrillator (AED) in his car. The portable device can shock a heart back into rhythm, and the team used it twice before Boerner’s heart started up again. 

He was rushed to St. James Hospital where doctors opened four blockages in his arteries. Boerner says he’s amazed he didn’t suffer any brain damage considering how long the ordeal lasted. 

“I can’t believe I was able to recover the way I did after weeks in the hospital and I was able to go back to the gym shortly afterwards,” said Boerner. “I’m just so thankful for the people who helped keep me alive.” 

A heart attack occurs when blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is severely reduced or cut off completely. This happens because the arteries that supply the heart with blood can slowly narrow from a buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances. 

Doing CPR helps keep blood flowing through the body and brain which not only helps save someone but can prevent long term damage to vital organs. 

Mulcahy says stories like these highlight the importance of knowing CPR to save lives. 

She also hopes this will encourage more businesses and public locations to keep an AED on hand.

“People don’t have to be a medical professional to save a life in an emergency,” said Mulcahy. “Knowing how to do CPR and when to use an AED can make all the difference.” 

For more information about heart programs at Intermountain Health St. James Hospital, click here.

Intermountain St. James Hospital is setting the stage for skin cancer prevention at the upcoming 2024 Montana Folk Festival. 

Intermountain St. James is sponsoring the Broadway Stage where they will help festival goers learn to  protect themselves from harmful UV rays. 

“Skin cancer is due to a cumulative effect of skin exposure to UV rays or sunlight over time. Protecting  your skin now is just as important as applying sunscreen when you’re 70 years old,” said Jerri Doyle, director of the Intermountain Health St. James Cancer Center. “We want all concertgoers to be aware what they can do to prevent UV damage.” 

The Intermountain team will share sunscreen, skin cover, and cooling items at the booth. They also have tablets with special UV-detecting cameras to see where people miss when applying sunscreen. 

The Intermountain St. James booth will be open from 5 to 9 pm on Friday, July 12, and from noon to 7 pm on Saturday, July 13. 

“St. James Hospital has been a longtime supporter of the Montana Folk Festival, and we are excited to expand our role this year at this important cultural and community event, said Karen Costello, president of Intermountain St. James Hospital. “We look forward to enjoying some incredible music alongside our friends and neighbors, along with educating them about protecting themselves from skin cancer.”

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Intermountain Health announced that Karen Costello has been named President of Intermountain Health St. James Hospital. She will assume her new role on April 1, 2024. 

Costello has been with the organization for more than 45 years and most recently served as the president of Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City, Montana. Under her leadership, Holy Rosary has achieved significant improvements in patient satisfaction, employee engagement, clinical quality, and financial performance. She was also instrumental in the development of the new Holy Rosary Cancer Center set to open later this summer to meet the needs of rural, eastern Montana. Costello will continue to support Holy Rosary throughout the next several months as the team works through a succession plan.

“Karen is a visionary leader with a passion for improving healthcare quality, safety, and access for the communities we serve. She has a proven track record of building strong relationships with providers, caregivers, and community partners, as well as implementing strategic initiatives that enhance our performance and reputation,” said Lee Boyles, president of the Intermountain Health Montana | Wyoming Market. “I am confident that Karen will lead St. James Hospital to new heights of excellence and innovation.”

Costello has also served at St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Billings, in various leadership roles including Senior Director of Oncology and Palliative Care for the Montana region and head of operations for St. Vincent Cancer Centers of Montana. Costello holds a BSA in Radiological Sciences and a master's in health administration. 

“I am honored and excited to join the amazing team at St. James Hospital and to serve the Butte community,” said Costello. “I have loved working with our Intermountain Health providers, caregivers, and community partners on the eastern side of the state, and I look forward to continuing that same dedication as I work to advance our mission of caring for communities across southwest Montana, especially the poor and vulnerable, while helping people live the healthiest lives possible.” 

Costello is an avid runner and enjoys reading and spending time on “any tropical beach.” She and her family also enjoy spending summer weekends at Flathead Lake. Costello and her husband, Jim, have two grown children and two grandchildren.

"It's really nice to have somebody looking out for you," said Miller, a Butte resident and middle school administrator.   

His 4-year-old granddaughter sits on his lap, feeling the defibrillator under his chest. He told her it's his battery pack, sending her twin brother to the kitchen to grab a 9 Volt battery. That brought a warm laugh from Miller. He shows the kids how he checks his blood pressure.    

Every day, Miller weighs himself, checks his blood pressure, and plugs the numbers into the MyChart app on his phone. It adds some extra steps to his daily routine but is more accessible than going to the doctor's office.   

Heart failure is a very hands-on diagnosis for providers. The model of care set up at St. James is meant to be as remote as necessary.   

"MyChart has been great, especially if patients miss appointments. As we looked through the winter months, we had people that couldn't get in, so we had the ability to still provide the same care we would provide in clinic via remote," said Marcus Paske, a clinical pharmacist in ambulatory care at St. James. He helps manage chronic diseases like heart failure, diabetes, hypertension, and patients on blood thinners.   

Miller was initially hospitalized in April with pneumonia and parainfluenza. During the workup, caregivers discovered he had a new cardiomyopathy or a new diagnosis of heart failure.   

Becky Wozniak, NP, says that's an overwhelming diagnosis.   

Wozniak sees patients in the outpatient cardiology clinic, caring for patients referred by other providers with new cardiology problems and all the patients hospitalized with cardiac issues. She also helps with chronic care management and any long-term cardiology problems.

"When someone has heart failure, it requires a lifestyle change that Keith just jumped right in," said Wozniak.

Patients need to keep close tabs on their blood pressure and their daily weight because those numbers can indicate when heart failure is taking a turn for the worse. Providers are not looking at their weight to catch them eating cookies or fast food.  

"If we can catch that in those first three to five pounds, a lot of times we can make changes with medications over the phone to get him right back on track and avoid him having to come into the hospital for more care. And Keith really stays on top of that. He is very diligent about checking his blood pressure and weight and uploading it into his chart, which allowed me to see that in real-time. And then between Marcus Paske and I, we could phone him when needed, so he didn't have to go back to the hospital for any further care," said Wozniak.  

Once a week, Paske and Wozniak check Miller's numbers to make sure he's getting adequate doses of his medications that are not making him too dizzy or sending his blood pressure too low. They also make sure Miller can continue with his life as normally as possible without the interruption of another hospitalization.   

This "Hearts in the Mountains" initiative was set up at St. James to improve access to care for people with heart failure living in rural communities in Southwest Montana. In February, the program received a huge boost when Million Hearts Health Equity Implementation awarded St. James $50,000.   

Since this implementation, readmission rates at St. James have dropped significantly — from 30 percent in 2022 to 13.25 percent so far this year. Furthermore, there were no readmissions in three of the previous five months.   

"The best part is we reduced readmissions, and that's the ultimate goal -- to improve our community's life," said Paske. "It also highlights the team-based care model. Heart failure is probably one of our most complex things that we manage, and we know more about it now than we knew five years ago. The team-based care approach is the best because it just gets the patients so many different people that know different facets of their disease. When they work together, we truly make people better and healthier."  

Paske's clinical pharmacy team has expanded with two new clinical pharmacists, allowing them to see more patients.   

"We are seeing more of these patients before they get admitted. Some of the downhill effect from the program is we know that if we get more people involved earlier, we're able to keep them out of the hospital. So that's a huge benefit. That's kind of been off to the side of the actual data collection of readmissions," said Paske.   

Miller spends about 10 minutes daily checking his blood pressure and weight, then sending the numbers to Paske and Wozniak. He says it's so quick that some days, he doesn't notice it anymore.   

"The whole experience has been life-altering, but (going into the clinic more often) would've been an even bigger shift. I've still been able to go to work, still been able to enjoy my grandkids —which is my No. 1 priority. And so it's really the cool part of it that I can get back into life a little bit faster."   

Miller also added a walking routine to his day. All his lifestyle changes and his medications have been working.  And his heart is getting even stronger. He hopes that continues. 

"The thing I appreciate that's come out of this whole thing is, I've had a chance to really prioritize what's important in my life, and time with my grandkids is the most important. I'm pretty lucky right now."