Proud father Eddie Norris holds his newborn son, Bodhi, born in July at Cumberland Medical Center.
A friendly welcome
New moms, industry groups praise CMC Labor and Delivery
Story & Photos by
Heather Mullinix
Editor
Gerri and Eddie Norris welcomed their baby
boy, Bodhi, at the end of July at Cumberland Medical
Center.
“He was a month early, so it was a very
unplanned trip to labor and delivery,” she said.
But the doctors and hospital staff were there
with comforting words and assurances they would
take all steps necessary to ensure Bodhi’s health.
“All the nurses went above and beyond to make
us comfortable,” Norris said.
CMC earned recognition as the Upper Cumberland’s
only “Best Maternity Hospital 2020” as
identified by Newsweek. It was one of 231 facilities
in 36 states, and one of only four in Tennessee,
to be included in the annual list that considers safety
and quality indicators.
Nearly 700 babies are born each year at CMC.
Will Smith, MD, has overseen many of those
births.
“I don’t think you’ll find any place anywhere
that cares more,” Smith said. “It’s a loving town,
with a loving community and loving nurses.”
Norris said she and her husband were nervous
about their trip to the hospital, though she knew
that’s where she wanted her baby to be born. It’s
close to home and she was born there, too.
But the ongoing health crisis has patients worried
about keeping their bundles of joy safe.
“They were on top of everything,” Norris said,
adding sanitizing hands and equipment when entering
the room was a priority.
And the food was good, she added.
New mom Alexis Bowman welcomed her son,
Isaiah, in May. She had been scheduled to be
induced on a Tuesday, but ended up going into
labor in the early morning hours.
“I was let right in and the nurses reassured me
and helped me to my room,” she said.
Patients like the maternity suites, which offer
labor, delivery and recovery in one place. Cleanliness
and comfort are top priorities for the labor
and delivery staff.
18 | Cumberland Now • September 2020