April 17, 2019 – Leah A. Carpenter, CEO at Memorial Hospital West, has been selected to chair the 2019 March for Babies Broward County. The event is an opportunity for the community to come together to fight for the health of all moms and babies.
“As a hospital administrator and a former NICU nurse, this cause is near and dear to my heart,” said Carpenter. “When you March for Babies, you make a commitment to creating a world in which healthy moms and strong babies are a priority for us all.”
Thousands of families and local business leaders will join together for the March for Babies event, presented by Sunshine Health, Saturday, May 4, at Nova Southeastern University in Davie. Participants will enjoy a three mile walk and fun activities for the whole family. With every difference-making step they take comes the hope that one day all moms and babies are healthy while also remembering babies that have been lost with special tributes throughout the day.
March of Dimes gives the 4 million babies born each year the best possible start. Nearly half a million of them are born prematurely or with birth defects. Premature birth and its complications are the largest contributors to infant death in the U.S., and pregnancy-related death has more than doubled over the past 25 years.
Debra Smyers, Senior Vice President Strategic Initiatives at Sunshine Health Plan and March of Dimes Broward Board of Directors member, is asking local businesses and community leaders to join her in support of March for Babies. “Every child deserves a healthy start in life, and March of Dimes supports that by empowering families with programs, knowledge, and tools,” she says. “Sunshine Health is proud to partner with March of Dimes to help raise awareness of the critical issue of preventing premature births.” Sunshine Health serves as presenting sponsor of this year’s March for Babies event.
Every March for Babies participant can make a huge difference for families. Anyone interested in joining the Broward County walk can register at www.marchforbabies.org/event/broward. All participants will enjoy a fun filled day that
includes our Superhero Sprint, face painting, bounce houses, food, and entertainment.
The 2019 March for Babies, presented by Sunshine Health, is sponsored nationally by Kmart, Famous Footwear, HCA, Cigna and regionally by Publix Super Markets, Inc. March for Babies is sponsored locally by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital/Memorial Healthcare System, Ultimate Software, Envision Physician Services, Plantation General Hospital/HCA, Northwest Medical Center/HCA, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Fetal Care Center, Broward Health, Cigna, Wells Fargo, Nova Southeastern University, Brightline, Entercom and WPLG Local 10.
About March of Dimes
March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every baby can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 80-year legacy of impact and innovation, we empower every mom and every family. Visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org for more information. Visit shareyourstory.org for comfort and support. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
About Sunshine Health
Headquartered in Sunrise, Fla., Sunshine Health is among the largest healthcare plans in Florida. Offering coordinated care and a network of support for its more than 900,000 members, Sunshine Health is transforming the health of the community, one person at a time. Sunshine Health is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a diversified, multi-national healthcare enterprise focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals. Sunshine Health offers government-sponsored managed care through Medicaid, Long Term Care, Ambetter (Marketplace) and Allwell (Medicare). Additionally, we offer a specialty Medicaid health plan for children in or adopted from Florida’s Child Welfare system and a full pay Healthy Kids plan. For more information, visit www.SunshineHealth.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter @SunHealthFL.
