Hospital Unveils Special NICU 'Wall of Hope' Exhibit
Houston, TX, November 13, 2013 -The Woman’s Hospital of Texas (TWHT) has partnered with the March of Dimes to promote research, awareness and prevention during November’s Prematurity Awareness Month. Pre- term birth is the leading cause of newborn death nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Pre-term birth can have serious and life-long health consequences including cerebral palsy, hearing, vision, and breathing problems.
On Nov. 14 at 3:00 p.m. in honor of Prematurity Awareness Month, The Woman's Hospital of Texas and the March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program will unveil another section of its Wall of Hope, an exhibit chronicling the unique journey of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) families at The Woman’s Hospital. The unveiling will be on the 4th Floor West Tower, near the Level II NICU unit. The hospital's NICU babies will be dressed in purple onesies starting at 2:00 p.m.
Members of the media are invited to attend.
In addition to having the only NICU Family Support Group Program in Houston, The Woman’s Hospital of Texas has continued the March of Dimes 'Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait' (HBWW) campaign, which launched in January 2012. HBWW reduces unnecessary c-sections and inductions before 39 weeks of pregnancy through community education, early prenatal care and hospital quality improvement programs. The program's advisory chair is maternal-fetal medicine specialist Dr. Joanie Hare, a physician affiliated with The Woman’s Hospital of Texas and Houston Perinatal Associates.
“I am proud of our participation with both the 'Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait' campaign and the NICU Family Support Program. This involvement, along with our special Wall of Hope unveiling ceremony, emphasizes our commitment to delivering compassionate, exceptional care for every infant, including our tiniest babies,” said Linda Russell, CEO of The Woman’s Hospital of Texas.
“Too many women in Houston do not start prenatal care until after the first trimester,” she said. “The March of Dimes 'Go Before You Show' campaign urges women to get prenatal care and education early, which could help eliminate premature birth. Together, The Woman's Hospital of Texas and the March of Dimes are paving the way for healthier babies not only in our state, but nationwide.”
FOR THE MEDIA:
WHAT: 'Wall of Hope' Unveiling Ceremony. NICU families and The Woman's Hospital of Texas CEO Linda Russell will be in attendance for interview opportunities.
WHERE: 4th Floor West Tower, near Level II NICU Unit
The Woman's Hospital of Texas
7600 Fannin
Houston, TX 77054
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 14 at 3:00 p.m. Babies Dressed in Purple onesies at 2:00 p.m.
Media will be provided complimentary valet parking for quick and easy departure after the event.
For media inquiries regarding The Woman's Hospital of Texas unveiling ceremony, The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, and March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program, please contact Kim Mathes at kimberly.mathes@hcahealthcare.com or (832)294-1064.
About The Woman's Hospital of Texas
The Woman’s Hospital of Texas is Houston's FIRST Woman's Hospital. The hospital was established in 1976 by a group of physicians who recognized the need for a facility focused solely on the care of women and infants. Many of the physicians at Woman’s pioneered minimally invasive gynecological surgery techniques, and the hospital is designated as a Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery (COEMIG) by the AAGL. Our full ranges of women’s services include breakthrough developments in Robotic Surgery and urogynecology. Since its inception, The Woman's Hospital of Texas has welcomed over 210,000 babies into the world and delivers more babies in Houston than any other hospital. Our experienced physicians specialize in high-risk deliveries, from handling preemies weighing less than 1,500 grams to offering a comprehensive Multiples Clinic for women having twins, triplets, or more. In addition, the Woman’s Hospital of Texas was named a top performer in quality measures three years in a row by the Joint Commission, and has been designated as a Center of Excellence for Continence Care in Women by the National Association for Continence. Visit our website at www.womanshospital.com.