(ABC 6 News) – The maternity care provided in Albert Lea, Austin and Red Wing earned a Blue Distinction Center award by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

The association grants the recognition to health care facilities which demonstrate expertise and commitment to both safety and efficiency.

This includes patient satisfaction, cost effectiveness and high clinical quality of care.

“It encompasses kind of the whole package for our patients,” said Crystal Studer, the nurse manager at the Family Birth Center in Austin, “It’s important to us for continuingly trying to improve and do better and using the feedback we give for our patients make changes and be the organization that they want us to be in our communities.”

Besides maternity care, Mayo Clinic Health System’s also provide surgical and non-surgical care for women in all stages of life.