The March of Dimes Perinatal Nursing Advisory Council is honored to publicly recognize nurses who exemplify dedication to infants and families and promote the mission of the March of Dimes.  The March of Dimes Nurse Recognition Awards will be held at the 31st Annual Perinatal Conference in the Doubletree Hotel in Oak Brook, March 8th-10th, 2006. 
               

The nominated nurses practice extraordinary nursing skills and innovative thinking. The criteria for each nominee are based on their individual professional and volunteer activities, and how these areas relate to the mission of the March of Dimes.  The nurses were nominated by their colleagues and peers who act as daily witnesses to the commitment of the honorees.

The nominees were then reviewed by a special sub-committee of the Perinatal Nursing Advisory Council. Although many nominations were received, only five nurses were chosen to be honored for their work.
The 2006 Outstanding Nurse Recognition Award honorees included Anne Szambaris Crowe RNC, IBCLC (RLC) Family Birthing Center, Swedish Covenant Hospital; Mary Murino RN BSN, Women & Infant Health Services, Advocate Christ Medical Center; Sue Sramek RNC,BSN, Special Care Nursery, Northwestern Memorial Hospital; Mary Hill RN, McLean Co. Health Department; Mary Grimm, Maternal Child Services, Little Company of Mary Hospital.

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 Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish language Web site at nacersano.org For information about the 31st Annual March of Dimes Perinatal Conference, please contact Jennie Pinkwater at 312-596-4709 or visit:  www.marchofdimes.com/illinois