Maternity Team Earns Blue Distinction® Centers+ Designation

July 25, 2025

Bringing a child into the world should be one of the safest, most supported, and most empowering experiences a family can have. The Adventist Health Bakersfield obstetrics and gynecology team’s commitment to this belief has been recognized with a Blue Distinction® Centers+ for Maternity Care designation from Blue Shield of California, as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.

This recognition is a reflection of the care we provide every day to the more than 2,500 mothers who choose our facility each year to welcome their newborns. It’s a reflection of the passion, training, and teamwork of our 120 registered nurses, our obstetricians, neonatologists, pediatricians, dedicated certified registered nurse anesthetists, and our entire maternity care team, who show up every day to deliver babies as well as excellence.

To earn the BDC+ designation, facilities must meet rigorous criteria focused on quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness. These standards go well beyond what’s required—they aim to improve maternal health outcomes, reduce disparities, and ensure facilities are prepared for even the most complex obstetric emergencies.

I’m proud to say our team has not only met those expectations, but has exceeded them by:

• Staying equipped with 9 Labor & Delivery rooms, 2 operating suites, and 14 postpartum beds, supported by a dedicated Level 2C neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with 9 beds and a 10-bed overflow nursery to care for newborns who need extra attention.
• Conducting regular emergency drills and simulation training to ensure we’re always ready to handle even the most critical moments with confidence and precision.
• Participating in the regional Perinatal Quality Collaborative to share data and strategies that elevate the standard of maternal care statewide.
• Integrating doula support and continuously evaluating and improving our care model to serve all families equitably.

The results of this commitment speak for themselves: as a Blue Distinction Center+, our outcomes are part of a group of facilities that demonstrate 26% fewer episiotomies, 60% fewer elective early deliveries, and 17% lower cesarean rates, along with 21% cost savings. Those numbers aren’t just statistics — they’re signs of healthier births, healthier moms, and healthier babies.

This recognition also shines a spotlight on a deeper issue: maternal health equity. In a country where maternal health disparities persist, especially for communities of color, we know our responsibility doesn’t stop at the delivery room. The BDC+ designation considers how we as providers are dismantling systemic barriers and committing to inclusive, just healthcare practices. I’m proud to say we are doing the work out of the love for our community.

None of this would be possible without our deeply dedicated nurses, providers, and support team who bring both skill and heart to every patient interaction.

To the families who’ve entrusted us with their care: thank you. To those considering where to deliver your baby: know that at Adventist Health Bakersfield, you will be surrounded by expert care that’s worthy of your trust — and your growing family.

By Kelly Zielsdorf, BSN, RN, CENP
Multi-site Director for Maternal Child Care, Adventist Health Bakersfield

Photo above, from left: Noel Del Mundo, MD; Elva Lopez, MD; Rebecca Rivera, MD; Kasie Jenkins, NP; Danielle Reed-Chaney, NP; and Lynn Del Mundo, PA