COLUMBIA, SC – Prisma Health has announced a new partnership with March of Dimes aimed at enhancing support for families with infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Through this collaboration, Prisma Health Midlands hospitals will now offer the March of Dimes NICU Family Support program, designed to provide families with comprehensive care, education, and support during their NICU journey.
As part of this initiative, Prisma Health has introduced a NICU Family Support Program Coordinator to its Midlands facilities. This specially trained coordinator will assist families in navigating the complex and emotional experience of having a baby in the NICU, offering advocacy, essential education, and social support at no cost to the families.
The March of Dimes NICU Family Support program will include:
- Family education tailored to the unique needs of NICU families.
- Staff training on family-centered care to improve patient experiences.
- Enhanced support for families to ensure the best possible outcomes.
“Many of our families are not prepared to have a baby that requires extended NICU care,” said Beth Green, Prisma Health Richland NICU Nurse Manager. “Our NICU Family Support Program Coordinator, equipped with these valuable resources, will be pivotal in assisting both our families and staff. We are grateful to the March of Dimes for their partnership.”
Kimberly Edwards, March of Dimes Director of NICU Family Support, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “We understand the stress that comes with having a baby in the NICU. Our organization is dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for moms and babies, and this program is another way we can support families. We are excited to welcome Prisma Health hospitals into this valuable network.”
Despite an improvement in South Carolina’s preterm birth rate, which decreased to 11.6 percent in 2022, the state still received an F grade in the 2023 March of Dimes Report Card. The report also highlighted that the preterm birth rate for Black women in South Carolina is 1.5 times higher than that for all other babies.
Prisma Health remains committed to improving maternal and infant health outcomes. This partnership with March of Dimes represents a significant step forward in supporting NICU families and addressing preterm birth rates in South Carolina.
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