(SALINAS, Calif., June 12, 2025) — America’s Essential Hospitals recognized Natividad Medical Center for its work decreasing anemia and transfusion rates in pregnant patients.

America's Essential Hospitals awarded Natividad Medical Center a 2025 Gage Award for quality improvement at a June 12 luncheon at VITAL2025 in Atlanta.

"We are deeply honored to receive the Gage Award for our 'Hospital-Led Outreach to Reduce Anemia at Time of Delivery' project,” said Chad Harris, MD, CEO, Natividad Medical Center. “This recognition reflects our commitment to improving maternal health outcomes, particularly for our Latina and Indigenous communities. Together with our dedicated team and community partners, we are proud to bring accessible, high-quality care to our patients. We hope this program serves as a model of care for other health care systems.”

Natividad Medical Center noticed that transfusion rates began to increase rapidly in 2021, especially among Latino and native indigenous communities from Mexico served by the hospital. Recognizing that undergoing multiple rounds of infusions posed a barrier to treatment for patients, hospital leaders secured Medicaid coverage for single-infusion therapy courses. Natividad’s obstetrics leadership team taught medical staff at eight community clinics about the negative effect of anemia, how to monitor patients’ hemoglobin and iron stores, and best practices in treating iron deficiency, which often involves up to eight rounds of iron infusions. From 2021 to 2024, the anemia rate at participating clinics fell from 18.4% to 11.7%.

“Our members reach outside their walls to meet patients where they are and provide superior, person-centered care,” said Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH, president and CEO of America’s Essential Hospitals. “These awards spotlight innovative solutions that reflect their commitment to their mission.”

The Gage Awards, named after association founder Larry Gage, honor and share successful and creative member hospital programs that improve patient care and meet 2

community needs. The Gage Award for quality improvement recognizes activities that improve the quality of care or that mitigate threats to patient safety.

View the 2025 Gage Award Winner video featuring Natividad at https://youtu.be/0vLymoQF7Ak

Report:  https://essentialhospitals.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/GageAwards2025_highres_spreads.pdf

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About Natividad

Natividad, a hospital and trauma center in Salinas, is committed to providing compassionate, high-quality healthcare to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. Founded in 1886, Natividad offers a comprehensive range of medical services, including inpatient, outpatient, emergency, diagnostic and specialty care for adults and children. As the region's only Level II Trauma Center, Natividad delivers lifesaving medical services that save lives and keep patients close to home. The 172-bed medical center handles over 11,000 admissions and 60,000 emergency visits each year and hundreds of people count on the award-winning Sam Karas Rehabilitation Center. Natividad is also recognized as a top maternity hospital by U.S. News & World Report, where nearly 2,400 babies are welcomed into the world annually. With an accredited Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the hospital ensures that the most fragile infants receive the best possible care. Through its UCSF-affiliated Natividad Family Medicine Residency, Natividad is the only teaching hospital in Monterey County. For more information about Natividad, call (831) 755-4111 or visit www.natividad.com.

About The Gage Awards and America’s Essential Hospitals America’s Essential Hospitals is the leading advocate for hospitals dedicated to high-quality care for people who face social and financial barriers to health care access. The organization champions more than 350 members and their mission to care for low-income and uninsured patients, teach the next generation of health care professionals, and provide lifesaving services for all. Through the Gage Awards, America’s Essential Hospitals recognizes member hospitals and health systems for successful projects to improve the quality of care and population health. The awards promote the spread of best practices and innovative programs to other organizations and support the association’s research, policy and advocacy work by sharing member success stories with external audiences.

Media Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain, The Buzz PR

marci@thebuzzpr.net | 831-747-7455

Hillary Fish, Natividad Director of Marketing & Community Relations

fishh@natividad.com | 831-783-2693