Application & Participating Hospitals feature image

Application & Participating Hospitals

Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies is a voluntary breastfeeding designation program that recognizes maternity centers in Ohio for taking steps to promote, protect and support breastfeeding in their organization.

A star is awarded for every two steps achieved in the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, as defined by the World Health Organization and Baby-Friendly USA. Hospitals can earn five stars as a part of this effort. The initiative encourages maternity centers across the state to promote and support breastfeeding one step at a time along with the option to select which steps, some or all, to adopt.

The Ohio Hospital Association and the Ohio Department of Health are pleased to announce the following hospitals have been awarded recognition from the Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies Review Committee.

Application - Take Your First Step

The Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies program recognizes hospitals for implementing the Ten Steps, using a modified application form. Hospitals can earn up to five stars, earning one star to every two steps achieved. Hospitals can choose which steps to implement and in which order. Applications are accepted on a quarterly basis. Additional instructions for applying can be found here. Applications are reviewed by a team of local content experts. For additional questions, please see the First Steps FAQ. All supporting documentation for applications can be sent to: OhioFirstSteps@odh.ohio.gov

For hospitals applying for new steps:       
Application Link 
Printable Version

For hospitals renewing previously awarded steps:             
Application Link
Printable Version

*If you are looking to apply for new steps as well as renew steps within a single review period, we would ask if you could please submit one application for the new steps and a separate application for the renewal steps. This assists our review team in processing your steps.

Summary of application modifications effective July 2020.

Father/Partner Designation (New as of August 2022)
This application is for hospitals seeking designation solely for the father/partner component of steps they have already been awarded. Hospitals cannot apply for this designation for steps they have not already been awarded through Ohio First Steps. Contact the team if you have any questions:
Application Link
Printable Version

Participating Hospitals - First Steps Program & Baby-Friendly Hospitals

The Ohio Hospital Association and the Ohio Department of Health are pleased to announce the following hospitals have been awarded recognition from the Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies Review Committee. 

Congratulations to the Ohio hospitals that have achieved Baby-Friendly Hospital status. These hospitals are indicated with an (*) next to their name.

Five-Star Hospitals Four-Star Hospitals Three-Star Hospitals Two-Star Hospitals One-Star Hospitals
  • Adena Regional Medical Center
  • Aultman Orrville Hospital
  • Cleveland Clinic Akron General*
  • Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital*
  • Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital*
  • Firelands Regional Medical Center 
  • Galion Community Hospital
  • Genesis Hospital
  • Holzer Gallipolis*
  • Kettering Health Hamilton
  • Kettering Health Washington Township
  • Licking Memorial Hospital*
  • Mercy Health - West Hospital 
  • MetroHealth Medical Center
  • Miami Valley Hospital - Premier Health
  • Mount Carmel East*
  • Mount Carmel Grove City
  • Mount Carmel St. Ann's*
  • OhioHealth Doctors Hospital*
  • OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital 
  • OhioHealth O'Bleness Hospital
  • OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital
  • Pomerene Hospital 
  • ProMedica Bay Park Hospital
  • ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital
  • ProMedica Toledo Hospital
  • Soin Medical Center
  • Southern Ohio Medical Center  
  • Summa Akron City Hospital* 
  • The Christ Hospital Medical Center - Liberty Campus
  • University Hospitals MacDonald Women's Hospital*
  • University Hospitals MacDonald Women's Hospital on the Campus of St. John Medical Center 
  • University Hospitals TriPoint Medical Center*
  • University of Cincinnati Medical Center*
  • Upper Valley Medical Center - Premier Health
  • Wilson Health
  • Wooster Community Hospital
  • The Christ Hospital - Mt. Auburn Birthing Center 
  • Clinton Memorial Hospital 
  • Fairfield Medical Center 
  • Fisher-Titus Medical Center
  • Grand Lake Health System
  • Kettering Health Main Campus
  • Knox Community Hospital
  • Lima Memorial Hospital
  • Memorial Health
  • Mercy Health - Anderson Hospital  
  • Mercy Health - Fairfield Hospital 
  • Mercy Health - St. Rita's Medical Center
  • OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital 
  • OhioHealth Marion General Hospital
  • ProMedica Flower Hospital
  • Southwest General Health Center 
  • Wayne HealthCare
  • West Chester Medical Center - UC Health
  • Wright-Patterson Medical Center
  • Atrium Medical Center - Premier Health
  • Blanchard Valley Hospital
  • Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital
  • Fulton County Health Center 
  • Marietta Memorial Hospital
  • McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital 
  • Mercer Health
  • Mercy Health - Lorain Hospital
  • Mercy Health - St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital
  • Mercy Health - St. Joseph Warren Hospital
  • Mercy Health - Tiffin Hospital 
  • OhioHealth Berger Hospital
  • Parkview Bryan Hospital
  • ProMedica Memorial Hospital 
  • University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center
  • Wood County Hospital
  • Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital
  • Mary Rutan Hospital 
  • OhioHealth Grady Memorial Hospital 
  • OhioHealth Grant Medical Center
  • OhioHealth Southeastern Medical Center 
  • Aultman Hospital 
  • Good Samaritan Hospital - Cincinnati 
  • The Bellevue Hospital