Our Lady of the Angels Health Named One of ‘America’s Best Maternity Hospitals’ by Newsweek
July 10, 2025
Bogalusa, LA - Our Lady of the Angels Health is proud to share that Newsweek has named the hospital as one of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals for 2025. This global award recognizes the unwavering commitment the hospital has exhibited in excellence to providing care to mothers, newborns and their families.
“We are so proud of this recognition. It truly reflects the dedication, expertise and compassion our team members consistently demonstrate to each patient at all times,” said Ralph Serpas, VP, chief operating officer, Our Lady of the Angels Health.
Our Lady of the Angels is one of the top 444 hospitals recognized for excellence in providing care to mothers, newborns and their families. This annual ranking spotlights institutions that excel in providing exceptional care throughout the pregnancy, delivery and postpartum period and is determined through a rigorous evaluation process based on a nationwide survey of medical professionals, key performance indicators and patient survey results.
“Our amazing team of pediatricians, obstetricians, nurses and lactation specialists all work diligently to provide safe, quality care for our patients no matter what situation may arise, either before, during or after pregnancy and childbirth. It is an honor to receive this prestigious award, and it exemplifies the work performed day in and day out,” said Patsy Welch, BSN, RN, IBCLC, C-EFM, director of labor and delivery.
Our Lady of the Angels Health leads several initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes, health access awareness, healthcare confidence and the overall standard of living for the people of Washington Parish and surrounding communities. Specifically focused on maternal care, the hospital piloted the RiseUp program, a successful substance abuse intervention program for pregnant women, in collaboration with the Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative (LaPQC) and championed by Welch.
This is just one of Our Lady of the Angels’ many recent recognitions for clinical excellence. The hospital was also designated as one of Louisiana’s Birth Ready+ facilities. It also recently received the Healthgrades Outstanding Patient Experience Award and CMS 5-Star Hospital Rating for Quietness.
Our Lady of the Angels is part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and is driven by its mission to serve all of God’s people, especially those most in need. For more information, visit www.oloah.org.
About Our Lady of the Angels Health
Our Lady of the Angels Health in Bogalusa, Louisiana, has a team of more than 500 employees committed to building a healthier community through excellence in patient care and community education. With a full-service acute care hospital, more than a dozen primary and specialty clinics, extended primary care and pediatric hours, and a team of more than 300 credentialed providers, Our Lady of the Angels provides comprehensive Catholic healthcare services for the people of Washington Parish and the surrounding areas. Our Lady of the Angels is a teaching site for graduate medical education, in partnership with LSU Health—operating the only rurally located rural family medicine residency program in Louisiana and one of only 55 in the nation. Our Lady of the Angels is part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and is driven by its mission to serve all of God’s people, especially those most in need. For more information, visit www.oloah.org.