ARLINGTON, Va., June 13,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- March of Dimes, the leading
nonprofit fighting for the health of all families, has awarded its
2024 March of Dimes Nursing Scholarship Awards to two outstanding
nurses for their undergraduate and graduate studies. Established in
1998, the award recognizes and promotes excellence in nursing and
furthers the organization's commitment to closing the health equity
gap and ensuring all moms and babies receive the highest quality of
medical care. Both winners will receive a $10,000 scholarship supported this year by
Pampers®, a March of Dimes partner for more than 25 years.
"We need nurses in communities across the
US dedicated to maternal-child nursing to help all moms and babies
be healthy"
"We know that the maternal and infant health crisis is far from
over, especially for moms and babies of color who face greater
risks of poor health outcomes" said Kelly
Ernst, SVP, Chief Revenue and Impact Officer at March of
Dimes. "We need nurses in communities across the US dedicated to
maternal-child nursing to help all moms and babies be healthy. It's
our privilege and honor to invest in these extraordinary nurses who
share our mission."
In 2024, the US remains among the most dangerous places to give
birth, with maternal mortality rates up to six times higher than
those of other developed nations. Black moms are three times more
likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than White moms,
and Black babies are two times more likely to die before their
first birthdays than White babies. As a leading convener in
maternal and infant health, March of Dimes has partnered with
Pampers to help drive systemic change so that all families,
regardless of race, can get the best possible start.
"These scholarships spotlight the importance of maternal health
equity and promote excellence in nursing care," said P&G Baby
Care North America Communications Leader, Jazmyne Reid. "Pampers' brand purpose is to care
for every baby's health and happiness. We cannot fully live out our
brand purpose without first addressing the foundation—a healthy and
happy parent. We are proud to partner with March of Dimes to
empower nurses who are on a mission to deliver compassionate care
and help more parents experience the full joy of pregnancy and
beyond."
The March of Dimes Nursing Scholarships are awarded to highest
scoring scholarship applicants demonstrating a commitment to March
of Dimes' mission. Qualified applicants for the Margaret Comerford
Freda March of Dimes Graduate Nursing Scholarship are registered
nurses currently enrolled in a graduate program in maternal-child
nursing at the master's or doctoral level. This award is named in
honor of the long-time March of Dimes National Nurse Advisory
Council Chair, volunteer, and friend, Dr. Margaret Comerford Freda. The Undergraduate
Nursing Diversity Scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate at an
accredited school of nursing, from a racial or ethnic group
underrepresented among nurses.
The 2024 March of Dimes Scholarship Award recipients are:
Margaret Comerford Freda March of Dimes Graduate Nursing
Scholarship Award: Lisa
Grisham, MSN, NNP, a DNP/PhD student at University of Arizona, Tucson
"My primary goal as a nurse clinician-scientist aligns with the
March of Dimes goal of closing the health equity gap. Many infants
with substance exposure in utero do not have a strong family
presence in the hospital after birth. Some have no family presence.
Babywearing is one ideal effective non-pharmacologic intervention
used to treat infants with NAS, which can create a paradigm shift
resulting in health equity for this underserved population.
Babywearing is a low-cost, easy-to-use, nonpharmacologic
intervention that facilitates contact and proximity to the
caregiver to support caregiver-infant interaction and comfort. This
scholarship will support my research on improving the care of
hundreds of thousands of mothers and babies. Additionally, after
graduating with my DNP/PhD degree, I will continue to do a portion
of clinical bedside NNP shifts and teach at an accredited College
of Nursing. I love the bedside interaction with neonates and their
families, and I love mentoring and teaching."
March of Dimes Undergraduate Nursing Diversity
Scholarship: Kaitlyn Duardo, BSN
student at University of Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia
"When I started my Women and Infant rotation this semester, the
plethora of hospital resources was astounding, but the lack of
Hispanic nurses on the floor stuck out to me most. I often spent my
clinical shifts translating for nurses or physicians between
patients because no one else spoke Spanish or the hospital
translator was unavailable. Being a Miami native and volunteering in hospital
settings, I was surrounded by Latinx nurses and never truly
realized the lack of demand for Spanish-speaking qualifications
outside of Miami. With a stark
5.6% of Latinx nurses in the work field, I aim to create awareness
across America's youth. As a future nurse, I will focus on helping
my patients firsthand and building rapport rather than simply
translating for them. The data calls for a rise in Hispanic nurses
that can positively impact the patients' experiences. I will also
be in the position to demand policy change and ensure that every
undocumented Hispanic person, or of another ethnic group, has the
resources for a safe delivery in the
United States."
For more information on the Nursing Scholarship program,
visit marchofdimes.org/nursingscholarships.
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 family can have the best possible
start. Since 1938, we've built a successful legacy to support
every pregnant person and every family.
Visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org for more
information.
ABOUT PAMPERS
For over 60 years, parents have trusted Pampers to care for
their babies. Pampers is a part of The Procter &
Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) and is the #1-selling diaper
worldwide. Every day, more than 25 million babies in 100 countries
around the world wear Pampers. Pampers offers a complete range of
diapers, wipes and training underwear designed to provide
protection and comfort for every stage of a baby's development.
Visit www.pampers.com to learn more about Pampers
products, join the Pampers Club program, and find ideas and
information to help you and your baby 'love the change'
together.
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SOURCE March of Dimes Inc.