St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction is among the Colorado hospitals recognized for their efforts to offer healthier food and beverage options as well as promote breastfeeding.

St. Mary’s was recognized at the gold level for the Healthy Hospital Compact. St. Mary’s has been a Colorado Baby Friendly designated hospital since 2016.

Since its creation in 2014, the Healthy Hospital Compact has supported hospitals to change food and drink options for patient menus as well as in cafeterias and vending machines.

Jennie Blackwelder, director of the food and nutrition department at St. Mary’s, said the hospital has been recognized at the gold level since 2016 and is working toward platinum status.

“We continue to make changes that encourage healthy eating for our visitors and caregivers. We have healthy food offerings each day as part of the compact’s criteria,“ Blackwelder said.

St. Mary’s also received the Celebrate 6 Award of Breastfeeding Excellence from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

The award recognizes hospitals that have implemented at least six of the 10 steps of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative promoting breastfeeding and infant health.

“We fully strive to support our families on their breastfeeding journeys,” said Jenn Tuning, director of women’s and children’s services at St. Mary’s.

Stacy Miller, a breastfeeding specialist with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and facilitator of the Colorado Baby Friendly Hospital Collaborative, said St. Mary’s and the other hospitals have worked hard to implement changes that support breastfeeding.

“With over 90 percent of Colorado families choosing to breastfeed their children each year, such policies and practices are essential,” Miller said.

St. Mary’s Hospital is part of Intermountain Health, a system of 33 hospitals, 385 clinics and medical groups with a total of 3,900 providers in six states. For additional information, visit the website located at  https://intermountainhealthcare.org.