Foundation and March of Dimes to host Nov. 29 event

Working in collaboration with the March of Dimes, the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council Foundation (DFWHC Foundation) will host an educational session Thursday, November 29 entitled “Prematurity Prevention Grand Rounds” at the University of Texas at Dallas Jindal School of Business.

Speakers will include Dr. Eugene Toy and Maternity Nursing Director Paula Efird of the Methodist Health System of Houston. They will provide information on “Elimination of non-medically indicated (elective) deliveries before 39 weeks gestational age.” Time of the event will be announced at a later date.

“Every year, more than half a million babies are born too soon in the United States,” said Kristin Jenkins, president of the DFWHC Foundation. “Our country’s premature birth rate has risen by 36 percent over the last 25 years. That’s serious cause for concern. Premature birth costs society more than $26 billion a year and takes a high toll on families. Babies born just a few weeks early are at risk of severe health problems and lifelong disabilities. Premature birth is the number one killer of newborns.”

November is National Prematurity Awareness Month when the March of Dimes focuses the nation’s attention on premature birth. The awareness month kicks off November 1 with the release of the Premature Birth Report Card. November 17 marks World Prematurity Day, and the March of Dimes and the DFWHC Foundation are asking everyone to help spread the world on the serious problem of premature birth.

For more information, please contact the Jaylene Jones at the DFWHC Foundation at 972-717-4279.