Each year, about 500,000 babies are born prematurely or with defects in the United States. The March of Dimes is dedicated to promoting healthy moms and strong babies – and St. Elizabeth Healthcare is right there for them every step of the way.
March for Babies in Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky
St. Elizabeth plays an active role in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky March for Babies event, a fundraiser that celebrates families affected by premature birth and honors those families who have lost children due to prematurity or birth defects.
Julie Shields, Prenatal Educator at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, has been a dedicated associate for 32 years and has been involved with the March of Dimes for 15 years.
Julie helps to coordinate all St. Elizabeth fundraising efforts for the March for Babies event, including Cincinnati Reds events at St. Elizabeth locations, spearheading bake sales, and selling t-shirts and raffle tickets. She works closely with Lisa Donelan, Practice Manager of St. Elizabeth Physicians Women’s Health Cold Spring and Edgewood, who makes sure that all St. Elizabeth providers and staff are aware of the walk and have information on how to sign up.
Julie also works with a leadership team at St. Elizabeth to organize the various activities for the St. Elizabeth tent on the day of the event.
“In the past, we’ve incorporated educational components like Hands-Only CPR and teaching parents how to save a choking child,” says Julie. “We also like to have fun activities for the kids. In 2017, we had superheroes at our tent who posed for pictures and handed out superhero-themed stamps, stickers and rings.”
Julie has a personal connection to the cause, as well. Thirty-two years ago, Julie’s nephew was delivered prematurely and was transferred via helicopter to a high-level NICU. Thanks to the excellent care he received as a premature infant, he now is married with two children and living a successful, healthy life.
Our commitment to healthy mothers and babies in our community
St. Elizabeth Healthcare offers a state-of-the-art Level III nursery for our tiny patients who need round-the-clock care. This facility offers private NICU rooms and neonatologists who are always available. Our dedicated nursing staff provides specialized care to the babies while teaching the parents how to care for their child.
Sometimes a child being born prematurely cannot be helped. Other times, it can be due to elevated risk factors such as:
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Drug use
- Having a premature birth in a previous pregnancy
- Poor nutrition
The March of Dimes is dedicated to supporting research and advocating healthcare policies to champion the health of all mothers and their babies.
Join us as we March for Babies
The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky March for Babies walk/run is Sunday, April 29. A Run for Babies 5K race and a Superhero Sprint will also take place. Join us by registering at March for Babies and signing up under the St. Elizabeth Healthcare team. The event begins in the morning at Paul Brown Stadium and ends at Sawyer Point – we hope to see you there!