Prisma Health partners with March of Dimes to offer NICU Family Support program to patients

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– Prisma Health announced a partnership with March of Dimes to enhance support for families with infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Through the collaboration, Prisma Health Midlands hospitals will offer the March of Dimes NICU Family Support program to ensure families receive the best possible care, education, and support during their NICU stay.

To support NICU families, Prisma Health added a NICU Family Support Program Coordinator to their Midlands facilities.

Officials say the trained coordinator will guide families through the complexities of having a baby in the NICU by advocating for them and providing essential education and social support.

The program will come at no cost to families.

The March of Dimes NICU Family Support program will offer:

• Family education
• Staff training on family-centered care
• An improved patient experience

“The families may be going through a range of emotions and need a lot of support. Our NICU Family Support Program Coordinator will now have these valuable resources to assist our families and staff. We are thankful to the March of Dimes for their partnership to provide the NICU Family Support program to our families,” said Beth Green, Prisma Health Richland NICU nurse manager.

In the 2023 March of Dimes Report Card, South Carolina’s pre-term birth rate improved to 11.6% in 2022, down from the previous year.

Despite this improvement, the state still received an F grade, say officials.

The report highlighted that the preterm birth rate for Black women in South Carolina is 1.5 times higher than the rate for all other babies.

Kimberly Edwards, March of Dimes Director of NICU Family Support, added, “We understand better than anyone that having a baby in the NICU can be stressful for families. Our organization is focused on the best outcomes for moms and babies, and this is another way we can support families by providing the NICU Family Support® program. We are excited to add Prisma Health hospitals to those who offer this valuable resource.”