Ms. Esparza-Ramirez will implement and direct family support activities and programs as part of the March of Dimes NICU Family Support Project at the University of Chicago Hospitals. This innovative project developed and launched in 2001 in three model sites responds to the emotional and informational needs of families during the NICU hospitalization, the transition home and in the event of newborn death. This year, Illinois was selected by the National March of Dimes as one of 10 states to implement the NICU Family Support project for the next three years.

In her new position, Ms. Esparza-Ramirez will work closely with families whose babies must spend time in the NICU following their delivery at the University of Chicago Hospital. In addition to emotional support, she will also provide important information to these NICU families. Parent Care Kits will be available in English and Spanish.

"We're very excited to welcome Minerva to this new position. The Illinois chapter is pleased to participate in the NICU support program that will enable us to expand our outreach to families. With Minerva's help, these families facing the stressful days following a premature birth will be able to access information and services to support them at this critical time, " says Dye.

Prior to joining March of Dimes Esparza-Ramirez worked as a Pediatric High-Risk Clinical Social Worker at Mount Sinai Children's Hospital. Before taking that position, she was part of the hospital's Project Access Program, providing needs assessment of the families with babies in the NICU and helping parents access necessary community resources. Esparza-Ramirez joined the staff at Mount Sinai in 2001 as a therapist in the Child/Adolescent Outpatient Therapy Program.

From 1997 until 2001, Esparza-Ramirez was at Latino Youth, in the Pilsen/Little Village neighborhood of Chicago, where she did counseling and case management.

Esparza-Ramirez received her Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Psychology from Loyola University in Chicago and her Master's degree in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago. She and her family reside in Oak Forest, IL.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects 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 five-year campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth.