CHICAGO -  The March of Dimes will recognize a distinguished group of maternal and child health leaders at the annual Jonas Salk Health Leadership Awards Luncheon to be held Wednesday, September 27, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 East Wacker Drive, at 11:30 AM.

These leadership awards were established nine years ago by the March of Dimes to salute Chicago health care professionals who have distinguished themselves in the areas of medicine, health care management, nursing, research and community and public health. The awards are named in honor of Dr. Jonas Salk who developed the polio vaccine with funding and support from the March of Dimes. Last year’s event raised more than $60,000 for March of Dimes programs to prevent birth defects and infant mortality.

We are proud to announce this year's honorees:

Physician Honoree: Ruth B. Deddish, M.D., Director, Special Care Nursery at the Prentice Women’s Hospital.  Dr. Deddish is an outstanding neonatologist who has over 30 years of clinical experience which she has shared with the fellows and residents who train at Prentice Women’s Hospital.  She is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to every baby who is admitted to the special care nursery.

Health Care Management Honoree: Michael C. Riordan, former President and CEO of The University of Chicago Hospitals.  Under Mr. Riordan’s leadership, the Hospitals excelled in delivering superb patient care, achieving excellent financial results and contributing as a leading health care partner within the community.

Nursing Honoree: Karen Kavanaugh, Ph.D., R.N., Associate Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing.  Dr. Kavanaugh’s heart and passion for families has made a tremendous impact on perinatal bereavement care. She is a widely recognized expert in pediatric end-of-life nursing, an accomplished nurse scientist and a highly valued, award-winning teacher. 

Research Honoree: Rima McLeod, MD, Julies Stein Research to Prevent Blindness, Professor of Ophthalmology, at the University of Chicago.  Dr. McLeod has devoted her career to developing new and

more effective approaches to the prevention and treatment of congenital toxoplasmosis, one of the most common causes of congenital infection.  She has enduring devotion to medical advancement, selfless commitment to patients, and dedication to education of physicians and the public.

Community/Public Health Honoree: Sudden Infant Death Services of Illinois, Nancy Maruyama, Executive Director, Pam Borchardt, Executive Director.  Sudden Infant Death Services of Illinois was initially founded in 1968 by a group of bereaved parents and was incorporated in 1992 as a not-for-profit organization.  Since then they have developed and sponsored numerous campaigns to educate parents, health care professionals, childcare providers, and the community at large about SIDS and infant mortality risk reduction strategies.

The March of Dimes is excited to honor these professionals for their life long work that has improved the health of mothers and children in Chicago and the suburbs.  Sponsors for the event include Northwestern Memorial Hospital, University of Chicago Hospitals, and Rush University Medical Center.

Tickets for the luncheon event are $90 a person. Tickets can be purchased on the March of Dimes website, www.marchofdimes.com/illinois. Please contact Veronica Arboleda, at (312) 596-4717 or varboleda@marchofdimes.com with questions.

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.