NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan Earns Gold Safe Sleep Hospital Redesignation, Manhattan’s Only Hospital with this Distinction
Prestigious recognition underscores Metropolitan Hospital’s sustained commitment to infant safety and education in accordance with the highest national standards Metropolitan Hospital is the first NYC Health + Hospitals facility—and one of just four across the health system—to hold the Gold Safe Sleep certification, which it has maintained since 2018
Oct 29, 2025
NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan announced its second consecutive Gold-level Safe Sleep Hospital Certification from Cribs for Kids, a milestone reflecting the hospital’s sustained commitment to infant safety and education in accordance with the highest national standards. Metropolitan Hospital is the only hospital in Manhattan with this designation, which it has maintained since 2018.
Infant sleep-related deaths, including Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), remain the leading cause of death among infants in the United States. These tragic incidents disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, highlighting the critical importance of safe sleep education and preventive measures. Hospitals like Metropolitan Hospital, which primarily provide care to underserved communities, play a vital role in reducing these risks by providing families with clear guidance on creating safe sleep environments.
The Cribs for Kids program evaluates hospitals on their training, policies, and education efforts related to infant safe sleep. Certification requires hospitals to maintain comprehensive programs that empower staff and families with knowledge grounded in the most current pediatric evidence. As the only hospital in Manhattan to hold Gold-Level status, Metropolitan Hospital demonstrates its commitment to not only safeguarding infants in its care, but also to extending that commitment through community outreach and education. This designation reflects the collaborative efforts of the hospital’s multidisciplinary teams and leadership to uphold the highest standards of infant safety.
“Achieving and maintaining our Gold Safe Sleep certification for seven consecutive years is a testament to the unwavering dedication and excellence of our entire healthcare team,” said Julian S. John, Chief Executive Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan. “Our commitment to neonatal care goes beyond recognition; it reflects a deeply held responsibility to protect the most vulnerable among us. By providing the highest standard of care and education around safe sleep, we are actively working to prevent tragedies and ensure that every infant has a safer start in life.”
“Our nursing staff plays a critical role in modeling safe sleep practices for our patients and their families. This recertification validates the ongoing training, vigilance, and compassionate care our team provides daily. It empowers us to educate caregivers effectively, ensuring that the knowledge shared in our hospital is carried into homes throughout our community,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan Chief Nursing Officer, Christopher G. Wilson, MSN, RN, CNML, CENP, NEA-BC, FACHE.
“Safe sleep education is a cornerstone of our maternal and infant care programs. This Gold-level designation acknowledges our sustained efforts to equip families with practical tools and information that can save lives. We are proud to lead this initiative and continue raising awareness about infant safety within East Harlem and beyond,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan Assistant Director of Nursing, Pediatric Services, Marie Paula Marcellus, PhD, MS, BSN, RN.
###
MEDIA CONTACT: Domonique Chaplin, NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan, 212-423-7782
#177-25
About NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan
NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan is a 338-bed facility serving East Harlem and surrounding communities. Known historically as the primary health care provider in El Barrio, Metropolitan delivers high-quality, compassionate care to over 350,000 clinic patients and more than 50,000 emergency room visitors annually. The hospital is a designated Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) Center of Excellence and a recognized “Leader in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign. Since 2021, the hospital has been ranked #1 in New York State for health equity and inclusivity across all categories by the Lown Institute. Metropolitan has earned numerous honors, including the AORN, Beacon, Lantern, and Pathway to Excellence with Distinction awards, a Leapfrog “A” Grade for patient safety, and national recognition in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals list. With a legacy spanning 150 years, Metropolitan maintains the nation’s oldest municipal hospital-medical school affiliation through its longstanding partnership with New York Medical College. Learn more at https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/metropolitan.
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 46,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.