The Perinatal Project of the Vermont Child Health Improvement Program (VCHIP) in the University of Vermont Department of Pediatrics was selected as the 2010 Champion for Babies by the March of Dimes Vermont Chapter. The award was presented to VCHIP executive director Judith Shaw, Ed.D., M.P.H., R.N., research associate professor of pediatrics and nursing, at the organization’s Signature Chefs Auction & Gala on November 16, 2010.
The Perinatal Project, directed by Jennifer Ustianov, B.S.N., R.N., perinatal outreach education planner for VCHIP, was recognized for the tremendous accomplishments the program has achieved in conjunction with three March of Dimes-funded projects, including:
The Improving Prenatal Care in Vermont initiative, a statewide collaborative project conducted between 2003 and 2005, which resulted in improved delivery and coordination of prenatal care among obstetricians, family practice and certified nurse midwives;
Improving Care for Opiate Exposed Newborns project, a current project initiated in 2004 that is improving the coordination of care and health outcomes for opiate-dependent pregnant women and opiate-exposed infants; and
Late Preterm Infant Quality Improvement Project, an ongoing project launched in 2009. This collaborative initiative links VCHIP and birthing hospitals throughout Vermont and focused on revising policies and procedures to eliminate non-medically indicated inductions and C-sections before 39 weeks of gestation and improve monitoring and care of late pre-term infants. Inter-disciplinary teams of obstetrics and gynecology clinicians and pediatricians have revised hospital practices based on emerging research and share best practices to create new guidelines to reduce preterm birth and improve the health of premature infants.
‘These three initiatives in particular have directly contributed to advancing the March of Dimes mission to improve the health of babies in Vermont,’ said Roger Clapp, state director of the March of Dimes Vermont Chapter. ‘In addition, we congratulate VCHIP for playing a lead role in helping Vermont attain the top rating in the country in reducing the incidence of premature birth.’
Ustianov provided a short keynote address at the event prior to the presentation of the award.
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Caption: Jennifer Ustianov, B.S.N., R.N., VCHIP perinatal outreach education planner. Photo: Courtesy UVM College of Medicine
Caption: Jennifer Ustianov, B.S.N., R.N., VCHIP perinatal outreach education planner, at the March of Dimes Vermont Chapter Signature Chefs Auction & Gala on November 16, 2010. Photo: Courtesy UVM College of Medicine
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