FAIRHOPE, Ala. (WALA) - For Nathan Perfect, Dec. 12 is a date he'll never forget. It's the day he became a father. His wife gave birth to their son, Jace at Thomas Hospital in Fairhope.

"She had probably the best care we could have asked for," said Perfect. "Everyone was very attentive. She didn't have any needs that went unnoticed or untreated."

Now, the Perfect family is ready to head home and introduce Jace to their golden retriever.

"Best Christmas present could've asked for," Perfect adds.

Nathan's review is just one example of why Thomas Hospital has been recognized in a U.S. News & World Report as High Performing for Maternity Care.

Arthur Johnson, chief nursing officer and vice president, explained that the hospital's high ranking is attributed to doctors rarely having to make cuts during childbirth, low C section rates, lower risks of complications during birth and high breastfeeding rates.

"It's a collaborative effort. Our physicians, our OB doctors, our leadership and nursing -- they all meet and they do simulations. They run through what are worst case scenarios. They meet every other month to discuss quality measures," said Johnson.

"We are so proud to be recognized for the service we give," said Tiffiny Moseley, nursing director of women's and children's services. "We love taking care of our moms and babies here at Thomas hospital."

Moseley has worked at the hospital since 2002, saying, "I have watched it grow from a really a small town community hospital into the thriving services that we offer today. We did not offer as many things then as we do now. We now have not only our neonatology service to take care of our special care newborns, but also the maternity services that we've had all along, as well as pediatrics."

And as baby Jace heads home for his first Christmas, it's clear that Thomas Hospital is delivering more than just top-tier maternity care -- they're also delivering joy, one family at a time.