FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 24, 2013
For information contact:
Elizabeth C. Duncan Director of Media & Public Relations
(208) 367-8121— Desk (208) 724-8047—Cell
duncanec@sarmc.org
Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center Associates and Physicians
Join Community to March for Babies
April 27th Event expected to draw more than 1000 walkers of all ages
Boise, Idaho – April 24, 2013 - More than 1500 babies are born each year in the Family Maternity Center at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. More than 3,300 babies are born throughout the Saint Alphonsus Health System. While the majority of the babies welcomed into the world at Saint Alphonsus are healthy, in some cases families must face the challenges surrounding premature birth. Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn deaths in the United States. After nearly 25 consecutive years of premature birth rates increasing in our nation, rates have begun to drop. This is thanks in part to advanced technology, proper pre-natal care and the work done by the March of Dimes and its partners like Saint Alphonsus.
Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise has the highest level of care in the state with a Level III NICU. Saint Alphonsus Medical Center – Nampa will be opening a Level II NICU in the brand new Birkeland Maternity Center in Nampa in November. Saint Alphonsus is proud to be the only hospital system in Idaho to currently house and support a March of Dimes staffed NICU Family Support Program. NICU Family Support provides information, support and comfort to families whose babies are treated in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
The March of Dimes is one of the nation’s leaders in pregnancy and infant health. “March for Babies” is a way for companies, families and communities to rally around a cause everyone can support – healthy babies. Saint Alphonsus physicians and associates participating in this year’s event will be walking in memory of Dr. Matthew Sell a beloved neonatal intensive care physician who died last year while participating in a triathlon. Dr. Sell helped save the lives of countless babies during his many years working in the Saint Alphonsus Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Boise March for Babies
When: Saturday, April 27, 2013 - 9:00 AM check-in, 10:00 AM start time
Where: Julia Davis Park, Gene Harris Band shell
Why: To prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality
Idaho’s 2012 report card by the March of Dimes showed a prematurity rate of 10.2 percent, which is lower than the national average of 11.7 percent. However the March of Dimes goal is 9.3 percent.
Premature birth take an immeasurable emotional toll on families. It also takes a substantial financial toll:
? The average cost to employers of a premature birth is $49,033 per baby (including medical, educational and lost productivity), which is 11 times higher than the $4,551 for a healthy baby.
? That’s $26.2 billion annually, according to the Institute of Medicine.
? A woman who gives birth prematurely stays in the hospital on average 10 days longer than a woman who had a full-term birth.
? That equates to an employer cost of approximately $1,500 per employee on maternity leave/short-term disability.
Learn more about this year’s March for Babies at marchforbabies.org or call 208-336-5421. There are five March for Babies events throughout Idaho, and money raised at these events will be used for programs, education, grants, and research.
About Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center
Saint Alphonsus is a 387-licensed bed regional medical center serving people throughout the Northwest. As a not-for-profit medical center, Saint Alphonsus reinvests profits back into the community and works to improve the health and well-being of those we serve by emphasizing care that is patient-centered, innovative and community based. Saint Alphonsus focuses on providing services in a spiritual, healing environment, and is renowned for its state-of-the-art digital environment and pioneering technologies; award-winning clinical services; and the region’s only Level II Trauma Center. Saint Alphonsus is part of Saint Alphonsus Health System, a four-hospital, 714-bed integrated healthcare system serving the full range of the health and wellness needs of the people in southwestern Idaho, eastern Oregon and northern Nevada. Saint Alphonsus Health System is a member of Trinity Health.
For information about Saint Alphonsus visit www.saintalphonsus.org.