MACOMB, Ill. - McDonough District Hospital is proud to be recognized by the Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative (ILPQC) Illinois Birthing Hospital Quality Designation Program as a recipient of the 2025 Illinois Birthing Hospital Quality Excellence Award.
To earn this designation, each facility must demonstrate achievement of all of the following:
- active participation in ILPQC initiatives
- meaningful engagement of patient partners with obstetric QI teams
- engagement of community partners such as doulas and home visiting programs to improve patient access to community services
- engaging patients and community partners to attend Respectful Care Breakfasts with clinical staff to promote equitable and respectful obstetric care
- data-driven improvements in reducing disparities in low-risk first time cesarean rates
- screening for social needs and linking obstetric patients to needed community resources
- integration of quality improvement practices into clinical care.
“We are honored to receive this $20,000 ILPQC designation grant. It reinforces the exceptional work our team puts into advancing safe, high-quality care for mothers and infants,” said MDH Director of Obstetrics Melissa Onion, RN, BSN, CLC. “Their passion drives continuous improvement, and I am incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished and what we will continue to achieve for our community.”
“ILPQC is committed to supporting birthing hospitals’ quality improvement work to equitably improve outcomes for moms and babies across Illinois,” said Dr. Ann Borders, Executive Director and OB Clinical Lead at ILPQC. “We are proud to recognize birthing hospitals that are working to demonstrate a commitment to excellence in quality maternal care.”
As part of this designation, McDonough District Hospital will receive $20,000 to support enhanced quality-improvement and equity initiatives within its obstetric services.
The program is supported by a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) expanded Special Beginnings® Maternal and Infant Health Initiative grant and recognizes hospitals sustaining quality improvements from ILPQC’s Promoting Vaginal Birth and Birth Equity initiatives.
The BCBSIL initiative aims to improve the health of moms and babies throughout Illinois, with an increased focus on access to quality care, reducing resource and care gaps, and supporting families across the state. The initiative also works to address factors that influence the health and wellbeing of women, children, and families, including addressing the social determinants of health.
“Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is committed to driving positive change for maternal and infant health, and championing it’s advancement every step of the way,” said Dr. Alvia Siddiqi, BCBSIL Chief Medical Officer. “We’re dedicated to improving health outcomes for moms and babies in Illinois, and we’re proud to collaborate with organizations like ILPQC who further advance our mission.”
About Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative
ILPQC is a statewide collaborative of hospitals, clinicians, patients, and public health partners dedicated to improving birth outcomes and advancing health equity in Illinois. To learn more about ILPQC and the Illinois Birthing Hospital Quality Designation Program, visit us at www.ilpqc.org and follow us on Instagram.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is the largest health insurer in Illinois, serving nine million members and operating in all 102 Illinois counties. BCBSIL is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Learn more at bcbsil.com and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
