NORWAY - M. Patricia Cook, RN, MBA, EdD, senior vice president of clinical services at Stephens Memorial Hospital, announces that The Family Birthplace at Stephens Memorial Hospital has received seven 5-star ratings, the highest possible rating, on a national patient satisfaction survey covering the past six months.

Birthplace registered nurses recently completed their breastfeeding counselor certification. They encourage family and friend visitation to new moms, and offer newly-redesigned literature.

Other steps taken were the hiring of a perinatal outreach educator, Carol Welsh, RN, who sees all parents prior to delivery at SMH, and Shannon Nassa, RN, who is a certified lactation consultant.

DIXFIELD - Two prints created by Christal Treadwell of Studio 6 in Dixfield have been accepted into the general and loan collections of the 117th International Exhibition of Professional Photography.

Treadwell's work will be on display at the Phoenix Convention Center, Jan. 11-13, 2009, in Phoenix, Ariz. The exhibition is held in conjunction with Imaging USA, an annual convention of more than 8,600 professional photographers and several photographic associations.

Titled "A Bridge to Work" and "Dark Melody," Treadwell's entries will also be included in traveling and special invitational displays.