Hardin Medical Center Women’s Center Chosen as One of Six TeamBirth Hospitals in Tennessee

TeamBirth Initiative Enhances Communication and Patient-Centered Maternity Care

Members of the Hardin Medical Center and Lifespan Health teams present at the official TeamBirth launch event included (front row, left to right): Assistant Nurse Director Michelle Caissie, RN, and Chief Quality Officer Chuck Reece. In the back row (left to right): Informatics Nurse Shelby Hardin, RN; Quality Secretary Rhonda Tims; HMC Women's Center Director Jana Anna Cummings, RN; Chief Nursing Officer Don Hislop, RN, BSN, MA, CPPS; Lyndsi Austin, Health Information Management; Chief Executive Officer Jim Edmondson, MHHSA, CPPS; Dr. Lindsay Harbin, Family Medicine-Obstetrics; Dr. Lyndsay Smith, Pediatrician; and Director of Education Joni Jerrolds, RN.

Hardin Medical Center (HMC) Women’s Center has been selected as one of only six hospitals in Tennessee to implement the innovative TeamBirth program. Launching at HMC on October 2, 2024, TeamBirth is designed to improve maternal care by ensuring that patients and clinicians are aligned in shared decision-making throughout the childbirth process.

Developed by Ariadne Labs, a joint center for health systems innovation at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, TeamBirth uses structured communication strategies to create a unified birthing experience. The core of the program is the use of team huddles at critical decision points, including hospital admission, changes in patient or baby condition, and key moments during labor. Huddles can also be initiated by the patient or any team member, ensuring everyone remains informed and engaged.

These team huddles bring together the patient, caregivers (such as doulas or family members), and labor and delivery staff to discuss the birth plan and patient preferences. The goal is to create an environment of shared decision-making, empowering the patient and fostering collaboration between the healthcare team and the person giving birth. Additionally, communication boards are installed in each patient’s room, providing real-time updates on care plans and progress.

“It’s been an exciting journey working with Ariadne Labs to bring TeamBirth to Hardin Medical Center,” said Jane Anna Cummings, Director of HMC Women’s Center. “We are committed to placing birthing patients at the center of the process, ensuring they feel respected and heard before, during, and after delivery.”

Hardin Medical Center now joins an elite group of six hospitals in Tennessee offering TeamBirth, with the closest facility over 125 miles away. Other participating hospitals include Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women (Memphis), Regional One Health (Memphis), Ascension St. Thomas Midtown (Nashville), TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center (Nashville), and the University of Tennessee Medical Center (Knoxville).

“We are honored and humbled to be a TeamBirth hospital,” said Cummings, who, alongside HMC CEO Jim Edmondson, visited three TeamBirth hospitals in Oklahoma earlier this year. “It was inspiring to see the impact of the program firsthand, and we’re excited to bring this level of care to our community.”

Jim Edmondson, CEO of Hardin Medical Center, emphasized the hospital’s commitment to fostering communication and teamwork. “At HMC, we want all patients and their clinicians to feel empowered to make informed decisions throughout labor and delivery. With TeamBirth, we’re creating an environment where patients are truly heard and supported from the moment they arrive. We are honored to be part of this select group of hospitals in Tennessee.”

TeamBirth has been rigorously tested through Ariadne Labs' Delivery Decisions Initiative, a global research and social impact program focused on improving childbirth care. In one trial, 90% of clinicians recommended TeamBirth, and nearly 80% of patients reported that their preferences made a difference in their care.

“All individuals deserve a safe and dignified birthing experience,” said Amber Weiseth, DNP, MSN, RNC-OB, Director of the Delivery Decisions Initiative at Ariadne Labs. “TeamBirth is an evidence-based approach that ensures the patient’s voice is central to every decision during labor and delivery. We are excited to see this model expand and improve care for patients across the country.”