YAKIMA, Wash. — MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital has been officially recognized as a “Center of Excellence” for its leadership in caring for pregnant people with substance use disorder. The designation was awarded jointly by the Washington State Department of Health, the Washington State Hospital Association and the Washington Health Care Authority.
Yakima Memorial is the first hospital in Central Washington to receive this distinction.
In Yakima County, substance use remains a significant public health challenge. According to the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, the region continues to experience elevated indicators of substance use and related risk factors compared to statewide averages.
To help address this problem, Yakima Memorial has invested in specialized training, interdisciplinary care models and expanded support services to meet the needs of families affected by substance use. The hospital’s approach emphasizes early engagement, continuity of care and collaboration with community organizations.
“This recognition reflects the dedication of our NICU team and our entire maternal health program,” said Karly Floyd, Yakima Memorial’s clinical director of Women’s and Children’s Services. “We believe every family deserves respectful, stigma‑free care, and we are proud to lead the way in expanding access to supportive services for parents and newborns.”
The Center of Excellence designation highlights hospitals that demonstrate exceptional performance in areas such as:
- Providing trauma‑informed, family‑centered care
- Ensuring access to treatment and recovery resources
- Reducing stigma and barriers to care for pregnant people with substance use disorder
- Implementing best practices for infants experiencing withdrawal
- Strengthening community partnerships to support long‑term family well‑being
Learn more about Yakima Memorial Hospital’s maternal and neonatal services.
About MultiCare
MultiCare Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare organization with 13 hospitals and more than 28,000 team members. We are committed to achieving our mission of healing and a healthy future and delivering world-class health outcomes and an exceptional experience.
As one of the largest community-based, locally governed health systems in Washington state, our comprehensive system of health includes numerous primary care, urgent care and dedicated specialty services. For more information, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.
