Foundation News
Grant from March of Dimes to The Medical Center Helps Parents and Premature Infants 3/26/2010
The March of Dimes Greater Kentucky Chapter has awarded an $8,800 grant to The Medical Center at Bowling Green to support the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parent peer support group. The group, named NICU P.E.A.S. (Parent Education And Support), will enable parents of NICU babies to talk to and share their feelings with a “support parent” who has been in a similar situation. The Medical Center’s project was one of only four projects funded throughout the state by the March of Dimes grant.
“When a baby is born prematurely or ill, it takes an emotional and physical toll on the parents,” said Amber Herman, OB Clinical Manager for The Medical Center. “While our staff can provide education and limited support, our main focus is caring for the baby. If parents have someone they can talk to who has been in the same situation, that support can mean the world to them.”
It is planned for the support parent to visit with parents of the preemie or sick newborn during the mother’s hospital stay to see what they can do to provide needed emotional support. At the request of the parents of the newborn, the support parent will arrange to spend additional time with the new parents. The support parents and the nursing staff will combine efforts to help parents cope and maintain healthy attitudes to nurture their newborn during the hospital stay. Additionally, the group will host weekly support groups to help new parents adjust to their situation.
“The Medical Center’s NICU support group fills a void for parents. They play a vital role in the health of their newborn, especially for preemies,” said Katrina Thompson, Director of Program Services for March of Dimes. “We are grateful that our successful fundraising efforts, such as March for Babies, make it possible for us to support new programs in South Central Kentucky that can help babies,” she said.
About The Medical Center
The Medical Center at Bowling Green is the flagship hospital for Commonwealth Health Corporation (CHC). Located in Bowling Green, Ky., The Medical Center is a 337-bed, full service, not-for-profit hospital specializing in heart, cancer care, obstetrics and neonatology, and orthopaedic services. With a mission to care for people and improve the quality of life in the communities it serves, CHC and its entities including The Medical Center at Bowling Green contributed $56.9 million in community benefit in fiscal year 2009. The Medical Center treats patients regardless of their ability to pay and annually provides millions in community benefit through charity care for the uninsured and shortfalls in governmental reimbursements (Medicare and Medicaid). To learn more, visit www.TheMedicalCenter.org.
About The March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes website at www.marchofdimes.com or its Spanish language website at www.nacersano.org.
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