Gainesville, Florida, July 01, 2012 —

Julie Samples MSN, ARNP is the Assistant Chief Nursing Officer and Director of the Women’s Center at North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville and an instrumental volunteer to the Florida Chapter.

Julie began volunteering with the March of Dimes in 1997. She was initially recruited to serve on the Health Professionals Advisory Committee because of her nursing background and passion for maternal and child health. She was responsible for an array of program service activities including reviewing grant application and assisting with site visits for grantees.

Julie became an advocate for the March of Dimes at NFRMC, helping to secure March for Babies sponsorships and leading the hospital to be a multi-year, award-winning Spirit Station Sponsor. As the NFRMC March for Babies team captain, Julie leads an enthusiastic team that has continually seen a year over year increase in their fundraising efforts. Additionally, Julie oversees the hospital’s Prematurity Awareness Month activities. Each November, the hospital prominently displays the March of Dimes Prematurity Awareness Month banner in front of the hospital on the very busy Newberry Road.

Julie has served as chair for multiple program committees, and is currently the chair of the Florida Chapter Program Services Committee. In this role, Julie has guided the PSC to focus on high-priority needs for the chapter, such as Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait®. Under Julie’s leadership, the PSC has funded statewide projects that are improving birth outcomes by reducing the number of non-medically indicated deliveries before 39 weeks of pregnancy. Julie’s dedication, expertise, and commitment make her an incredible volunteer leader for Florida, and we are proud to recognize her as Volunteer of the Month.