| (ST. LOUIS) – March of Dimes will pull together Missouri’s leading neonatologists, pediatricians, ob-gyns, nurse practitioners, public health officials, and families affected by premature birth to focus on the public health crisis of prematurity. The day-long conference will be held this year at 9:30, Nov. 29, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield. This summit caps off Prematurity Awareness Month that in Missouri has featured the Radio Broadcasters for Babies campaign, a visit by the March of Dimes touring “Every Baby Has a Story” bus, and pink and blue lighting of the Governor’s Mansion.
More than 10,000 babies are born too soon or too small every year in Missouri. That is more than one of every eight babies.
“Premature birth takes a great toll, emotionally and financially,” Deborah Kersting, Missouri Executive Director of the March of Dimes, said. “It affects the whole community – families, employers, hospitals, schools, and government.”
The State of the State Prematurity Summit will focus on three specific factors affecting the health of babies – late preterm birth, smoking and pregnancy, and newborn screening. Speakers will be:
• Dr. Kevin Everett, Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia
• Dr. Kathy Grange, Clinical Geneticist, St. Louis Children’s Hospital
• Joan Smith, RN, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, St. Louis Children’s Hospital
“We will come out of this conference with a specific call to action to improve the health of babies,” said Dr. F. Sessions Cole, Prematurity Campaign Chair for the Missouri March of Dimes and chief of neonatology at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
Anyone wishing to attend this meeting may do so at no cost. Lunch will be provided. Please contact Karen King at March of Dimes, 314-646-8601, ext. 233 or kmking@marchofdimes.com.
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 reduce the rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish Web language. |
