Oaklawn Birth Center Awarded Grant Funding to Enhance Perinatal Care
Marshall, MI — November 24, 2025 – Oaklawn Birth Center has been awarded $14,500 in grant funding from the Southwest Michigan Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaboration (SWMPQIC), an organization dedicated to improving perinatal care across Michigan. Oaklawn is an active participant in this Region 8 collaborative, which includes Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties.
SWMPQIC operates with support from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Michigan Public Health Institute, providing guidance, resources, and opportunities to improve outcomes for mothers and infants statewide.
Oaklawn’s OB Nurse Navigator, Jill Hays, RN, alongside other Oaklawn representatives, has attended regional perinatal quality collaborative meetings and helped bring forward opportunities to advance care at the Birth Center.
MDHHS approved monetary grants for the 75 birthing hospitals in Michigan that actively participate in these collaborative efforts. Oaklawn was awarded $12,500, plus an additional $2,000 engagement bonus, to support the purchase of equipment that enhances perinatal care—particularly items that promote rooming-in, mother–baby bonding, and safe sleep practices.
With this funding, Oaklawn purchased three HALO® BassiNest® Swivel Sleepers, which were approved by SWMPQIC as an appropriate investment for perinatal patient benefit.
“These BassiNests create a secure and convenient sleep setup that lets infants stay near their parents while remaining in their own dedicated space,” said Hays. “They encourage bonding, make breastfeeding more accessible, and are especially helpful for mothers healing after a Cesarean birth. With the ability to swivel a full 360 degrees, the bassinets allow moms to pull their babies close without straining, offering added comfort during the early recovery period.”
Oaklawn selected the HALO® brand because it complements the Birth Center’s existing HALO® SleepSack® program, which is used to promote safe sleep among newborns. The BassiNest® design helps make postpartum easier and establishes safety and bonding from day one, aligning directly with Oaklawn’s commitment to family-centered care.
“We are grateful for this support from SWMPQIC and MDHHS,” said Hays. “These resources help us continue improving the experience and outcomes for the families we serve.”
For more information about Oaklawn Birth Center and its maternity services, visit oaklawnhospital.org/birth-center.
Photo Caption:
Oaklawn Birth Center team members (left to right): Tracee Hathaway, Director of the Birth Center; Twyla Newsome; Jerica Essex; Darci Demaree; Kyleigh Bloom; and Jill Hays celebrate receiving grant funding to support safe sleep and enhanced mother–baby bonding.
