UTHealth Houston Division of Obstetric Anesthesiology Earns 2026 SOAP Center of Excellence Recertification
We are thrilled to share that the UTHealth Houston Division of Obstetric Anesthesiology, in partnership with The Women’s Center at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, has officially been re-accredited as a Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP) Center of Excellence (COE) for 2026.
What is the SOAP Center of Excellence? The SOAP Center of Excellence designation program recognizes institutions that exceed standard practices in obstetric anesthesia care. Far more than a title, it serves as a rigorous national quality metric. To achieve COE designation, a program must demonstrate top-tier clinical expertise, rigorous patient safety protocols, and an ongoing commitment to advancing maternal health outcomes.
Building on a Strong Foundation This national recognition builds on years of dedicated teamwork. We remain deeply grateful to Dr. Maya Suresh, who initiated the program’s original accreditation process in 2021.
The 2026 re-accreditation was spearheaded by Dr. Barbara Orlando, Chief of Obstetric Anesthesia, alongside a devoted multidisciplinary team.
“Holding this Center of Excellence status reflects our multidisciplinary team’s constant focus on patient safety,” says Dr. Orlando. “It demonstrates that every mother who walks through our doors receives the highest caliber of evidence-based care.”
A True Collective Effort Earning the Center of Excellence title is a shared achievement across our multidisciplinary clinical leadership. It represents a seamless partnership between:
- The UTHealth Houston Department of Anesthesiology
- The UTHealth Houston Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
- The Women’s Center at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital
Dr. Orlando highlighted the essential contributions of key leaders across these teams, including Charlie Artime, MD; Sean Blackwell, MD; Megan Shepherd, MD; and Aydrien Robinson, DNP, MSN, MBA, RNC-OB.
As one of only 90 institutions nationwide and 14 institutions internationally, to earn this designation in 2026, we view this recertification as both a prestigious honor and an ongoing commitment to providing exceptional, safe, and compassionate care to the mothers and infants in our community every single day.
