North Oaks Health System and March of Dimes Partnering to Present March for Babies in Walker on April 12

North Oaks Health System and the March of Dimes are partnering together to help improve the health of babies by supporting efforts to prevent premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality. North Oaks is serving as the Presenting Sponsor for this year’s March for Babies campaign.

Dr. Marya Porter of Magnolia Obstetrics and Gynecology in Walker, which is a clinic of North Oaks Physician Group, is serving as the Chairperson for the Livingston Parish March for Babies. The event will take place on Saturday, April 12 at Sidney Hutchinson Memorial Park in Walker beginning at 8:30 a.m.

“I am honored to be serving as the chair for this year’s March for Babies,” comments Dr. Porter. “As a practicing OB/GYN in this community, I see daily the benefits and the importance of the March of Dimes. It is an organization that is advocating for us, for our children and for our future.”

One major aspect of the March of Dimes mission is to prevent premature birth, and they have teamed up with the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) who 3 years ago issued a challenge to Louisiana birthing hospitals as part of the Birth Outcomes Initiative. This challenge asked hospitals not to induce labor unless medically necessary, as that can increase chances of complications and lead to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit stays.

North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond accepted this challenge and soon became an industry leader, receiving the Pioneer Award from DHH for being one of the first hospitals to accept and excel in their efforts to reduce elective deliveries and let healthy pregnancies last the recommended 40 weeks. North Oaks still leads the pack, with no cases of a non-medically necessary induction since December 2011.

“Not only is North Oaks such an important part of the community, but their dedication to the Birth Outcomes Initiative and to all of the families and babies they serve make them a perfect partner for us,” said March of Dimes Community Director Caroline Isemann. “Their continued support of our mission and of our March for Babies event will ensure that more babies are carried to full-term and born healthy.”

To sign up a team for the March for Babies in Livingston or get more information about the March of Dimes, visit www.marchforbabies.org or call the Capital Area Division Office at (800) 830-3463.