The March of Dimes South Carolina Chapter in collaboration with Select Health of South Carolina, Inc. Palmetto Healthy Start, and Low Country Healthy Start will host the fourth annual Heroes in the Field event on September 16th in honor of National Infant Mortality Awareness Month. 

This year we will host a free, one day conference to share resources and best practices with  maternal and child health educators to help them take steps to reduce infant mortality and prevent prematurity in their community.  Dowload brochure here for full agenda and registration information.

 

The day will conclude with honoring individuals in South Carolina who have worked diligently towards reducing the incidence of infant mortality.  Past honorees include: 

2009 “Heroes in the Field”
Martha Dunlap
Julie Smithwick-Leone, LMSW
Tina Gaudiano
Dr. Anthony Gregg
Dr. Victor Iskersky
Lina Wood, CNM
U.S. Representative John Spratt          

2008 “Heroes in the Field”
Debra Brown, RNC. MS
Judith Burgis, M.D.
Stuart Hamilton, M.D.
J. Michael Jernigan
Roger Newman, M.D.
Bryan Ohning, M.D., Ph.D.
Helen Palmer
Danese Ruff, LMSW
Patricia Smith
Covia Stanley, M.D.  

2007 “Heroes in the Field”
Gary Watts
Mark D. Wild M.D.
Janice L. Bacon M.D.
Karol Rembert
Sharada Pai M.D.
Linda Daniels
Amy Nienhuis
Jean S. Hopkins
Charles McElmurray M.D.
Marie Meglen
Kris Pickens  
About Infant Mortality:

Infant mortality is a significant cause of death in the United States. Seven out of 1,000 babies do not live to see their first birthday. The infant mortality rate in South Carolina is 9.0 per 1,000 live births, higher than the United States rate of 6.9.  South Carolina has the 4th highest rates of infant mortality compared to all states in the nation.  “The leading cause of infant mortality in the nation and in our state is due to the numerous consequences of prematurity.  Fully 65% of infant deaths occur in the immediate neonatal period due to lung disease, infections, delivery complications and congenital abnormalities.  Unfortunately, our state has a rate of premature birth which is 50% higher than the national average.  So while we need to continue to focus on advancements in neonatal care, we also need to prioritize research on the cause of premature birth and discover how to reduce its incidence” stated Bryan L. Ohning, M.D., Ph.D, Medical Director – NICU, Children's Hospital, Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center.        

About National Infant Mortality Awareness Month
In 2005, Congressman Burgess 26th District of Texas introduced Resolution 402 directing Congress to observe September as National Infant Mortality Awareness Month, and the resolution passed in September 2006. The goals of National Infant Mortality Awareness Month are to increase national awareness of infant mortality and its contributing factors, and to urge community leaders to help meet the objective of reducing the rate of infant mortality in this country by 2010.

 

For more information, please contact the South Carolina Chapter at 803-252-5200.