The goal of March of Dimes research is to improve the scientific knowledge base about birth and survival of healthy infants. New knowledge from research is then relayed to health professionals and incorporated into community programs to improve the health of babies and prevent birth defects and infant mortality.

• Scott M. Wilson, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurobiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham was awarded a two-year, $150,000, Basil O’Connor Research Grant. Dr. Wilson’s research will focus on the “Role of Usp14 in the Development of the Nervous System.”
• Alice R. Goepfert, MD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, at the University of Alabama at Birmingham was awarded a three-year, $158,629 March of Dimes Research Grant. Dr. Goepfert’s goal is to develop tests to identify women at risk for preterm labor and effective ways to prevent it, and possibly help explain why African-American are at increased risk of preterm labor.
• Bradley K. Yoder, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Department of Cell Biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, was awarded a three-year, $254,442 March of Dimes Research Grant. Dr. Yoder is analyzing cilia formation and how it relates to birth defects.

MISSION INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM

The March of Dimes Alabama Chapter and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) are working to reduce smoking prevalence and environmental tobacco smoke exposure in rural areas. Following national guidelines for tobacco use cessation based on the 5-A model, the partners will train rural health care providers to deliver a brief smoking cessation intervention to their patients who smoke and to adopt smoking assessment as a routine vital sign. This model is endorsed by the Smoke-Free Families National Partnership to Help Pregnant Smokers Quit, of which the March of Dimes is a member. Over the three-year grant period, project partners will train 75 rural family practice physicians and their staff, as well as, over 360 rural medicine clerkship students. The initiative will enhance statewide tobacco cessation and prevention efforts by establishing a point-of-service resource within physicians' offices. March of Dimes investment $253,000.

COMMUNITY GRANTS

UAB Department of Family and Community Medicine
Smoking Cessation program  - $25,000

UAB School of Medicine, OB/GYN
Pre-natal and Postpartum Screening for and Treatment of Depression - $17,500

UAB Women's and Infants' Services
Mother/Baby Program for Spanish Speaking Mothers - $13,000

Project Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha
Male Responsibility Program - $5,000

Mobile County Health Department
Alabama Baby Coalition Outreach Project - $20,000

Parents and Children Together PACT
Healthy Mothers-Healthy Babies - $17,000

USA Medical Science Foundation
Annual OB/GYN Conference - $15,000

COMMUNITY AWARDS

Alabama Dept. Public Health/Bureau Family Health Services
Needs Assessment Incentives - $3,000

USA NICU Reunion
$1,000

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INVESTMENT IN ALABAMA - $927,071