Michael Warren, MD, who serves as deputy commissioner for Population Health at the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH), received the Tennessee Hospital Association's (THA) President's Award in recognition of his leadership in several OB and newborn health initiatives in collaboration with the Association's Tennessee Center for Patient Safety (TCPS). The award was handed out last month in conjunction with the TCPS Leadership Summit and THA Annual Meeting.

Warren was honored for his passion, commitment and collaborative approach to improving outcomes for mothers and babies in Tennessee. Under his leadership, Tennessee has been nationally recognized for making considerable achievements in the reduction in infant mortality.

"It's not often Tennessee is recognized as a national leader in health outcomes, but I'm very proud to say that ensuring the health and well-being of the next generation of Tennesseans has become a hallmark of the work we do at THA and across the state," said Craig A. Becker, THA president and CEO. "Results like these don't just happen. It requires dedication and leadership to see large-scale change and success. Dr. Warren has led this incredible work and it is THA's honor to recognize him for such tremendous success."

Specifically, TDH's Safe Sleep campaign aimed at teaching parents the "ABCs of safe sleep" has reduced sleep-related deaths in infants by 25 percent in the past two years. Tennessee also has achieved a greater than 90 percent reduction in early elective deliveries and has sustained that performance for three years. In addition, the percentage of new mothers choosing to breastfeed has increased significantly due to breastfeeding education and awareness campaigns led by TDH and TCPS in partnership with hospitals across the state.