Bethune-Cookman University School of Nursing to Host Educational Event Focusing on Black Infant Health

Contact: Liz Poston 386-481-2990

On June 18th, the Bethune-Cookman University School of Nursing will join with midwife Jennie Joseph to bring her campaign for healthy babies to Volusia County. The community education event will address growing concerns about black infant health in the state of Florida, specifically the high infant mortality rates in the black community.

The event will include a viewing of “Bringing’ in Da Spirit,” a documentary chronicling the history of African-American midwives and their contribution to the health of communities across the nation narrated by actress Phylicia Rashad. The film will be followed by a presentation and discussion of the state of black infant health in Central Florida.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place on Wednesday, June 18 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the Bethune-Cookman University School of Nursing, Lucille O’Neal Lecture Hall, 739 W. International Speedway Boulevard, Daytona Beach. Individuals interested in attending the event can call 407-654-9900 for more information.

"The continued, dire state of black infant mortality and poor perinatal outcomes is of grave concern across the nation and right here in Central Florida," said Ms. Jennie Joseph, executive director of The Birth Place, a free-standing clinic and birthing center in Winter Garden, FL. "I was thrilled to have been invited by Dr. Alma Dixon, dean of the B-CU School of Nursing, to share this moving documentary and present the data regarding this important subject."

"The Bethune-Cookman University School of Nursing is committed to reducing disparities in health care access and outcomes in minority communities. One of the most startling disparities is the unacceptably high rate of infant mortality in the black community," noted Dr. Alma Dixon, dean of the School of Nursing. "Jennie Joseph has taken action and is achieving real results that save lives. We are proud to partner with her on this important educational event."

On average, rates of black infant mortality – death of an infant within the first year of life – are twice that of white infants in the state of Florida. According to statistics compiled by Healthy Start Coalition of Flagler & Volusia Counties, Inc., the highest concentration of infant mortality has occurred in East Volusia County specifically in the 32114 zip code. Twenty one per cent of all infant deaths in Volusia county (n=205) over the last 10 years occurred in the 32114 zip code (n=44). Of these 82% (36 of 44) were black. Dixie Morgese, Executive Director of Healthy Start stated: "It should be a wake-up call to target services and improve access to health care and health information to our most vulnerable."

In 2007, Governor Crist and the Florida Legislature approved the Black Infant Health Practice Initiative which funds pilot programs in eight counties across the state aimed at reducing infant mortality in minority communities. While Volusia County is not one of the counties selected to participate in the program, many caring agencies, such as Healthy Start, and healthcare providers are working to improve the situation regarding infant health.

The discussion event on June 18 will focus on the following areas:

• Description of the state of black infant’s health and black women’s health in Florida;
• Explanation of the links between black women’s health and the black infant mortality rate in Florida;
• Identification of the underlying problems that negatively impact the health of black women and their babies;
• Recognition of individuals and agencies that are helping to solve the problem;
• Outlining of programs that work including The JJ Way™ MCH model launched by midwife Jennie Joseph;
• Sharing of concerns, questions and ideas.

Joseph, a British-trained midwife of twenty-seven years standing, has been practicing in the Orlando area since 1995. She has developed an innovative prenatal care program called The JJ Way, which she has implemented at The Birth Place birthing center, a program supported by her own non-profit organization, Commonsense Childbirth Inc. The program's mission is simple: to improve pregnancy and infant health outcomes by increasing ACCESS, providing EDUCATION and offering SUPPORT. A 2007 study of one hundred patients of The Birth Place, who could have been at risk for a poor pregnancy outcome, was conducted by the Winter Park Health Foundation and the Health Council of East Central Florida and showed no low birth weight or premature babies were delivered by any black or Latina women attending the clinic. The average birth weight was 7lbs 7ozs and the average gestation was 39 weeks, outcomes attributed to The JJ Way™ prenatal healthcare delivery system.

The Bethune-Cookman University School of Nursing is home to the Center for the Study of Health Disparities. The cornerstone program of the Center for the Study of Health Disparities is the creation of a nurse-managed community center called the Odessa Chambliss Wellness Center. It serves the local Daytona Beach community and is a model program that unites teaching, student educational opportunities, clinical care, community outreach, as well as faculty development and research.

2nd Annual WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE Awards Luncheon and Fashion Show - May 24th 2008

A worthy cause - did you know that African American women receiving prenatal care at The Birth PlaceThe Birth Place birthing center in 2007 had no premature or low-birth weight babies? The average baby weighed 7lbs 7ozs and was born around the 39th week of pregnancy. Nationally Black women have twice as many babies born too soon, too small and too sick to survive their first year of life as White babies. WE NEED YOUR HELP TO CONTINUE THIS WORK. Read on...

Dear Friends and Supporters:

The Mission of My Sister My Friend Inc. is to positively impact the building and restoring of lives through mentoring, supporting community programs and empowering men, women and children. The members of this organization represent eleven different organizations; however, it is with such support of yours that My Sister – My Friend, Inc. will help individuals that otherwise feel they have no one else to turn to in times of despair.

The eleven sisters of this small grass roots organization and Kim McNair of McNair Productions come together once again to raise monies for a worthwhile cause. We are asking for your support and participation as we attempt to raise funds for The Birth Place, a Unique Full Service Birthing Center and Midwifery Practice servicing our Central Florida community. The program offers prenatal and postpartum exams along with a birthing facility for women who are healthy and low risk. Please visit the website at www.thebirthplace.org for further details on this wonderful program developed to provide quality maternity care.

Your financial support is needed once again for our Second Annual Women of Excellence Award Luncheon and Fashion Show. This event is scheduled for May 24, 2008 at the Rosen Centre Hotel on International Drive from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. We will celebrate the lives of seven influential women and the fashion showcase will feature some of the area’s most beautiful models and latest fashions provided by Saks Fifth Avenue of Florida Mall. It has been proven that…beauty and style are unlimited in size. Can we count on you for support?

Collectively the donations will help make an impact on the community program we have chosen to support. Enclosed is detailed information regarding the different levels of financial sponsorships. We certainly look forward to seeing you at this wonderful event!

Sincerely,

Lucille O’Neal, Director

Kim McNair, President McNair Productions

SPONSORSHIP LEVELS

AVANT GARDE SPONSOR - $5,000

* Three Tables (rounds of 10)
* Company Name and Log printed on all promotional materials
* Radio Advertisement
* Recognition as one of our Title Sponsors
* Banner Display at the Event

DEBONAIR SPONSOR - $2,500

* Two Tables (rounds of 10)
* Company Name and Logo on printed materials
* ½ page ad in event program
* Banner Display

COUTURE SPONSOR - $1,000

* One Table (round of 10)
* ¼ page ad in the program
* Listing and recognition in program as one of the event sponsors

CHIC SPONSOR - $500

* One Table for Ten Guests
* Company/Individual Name Listed as Chic Table Sponsor

Note: Individual tickets are $50 each for general seating! They will be sold in advance at various locations. For additional information see our websites at:

www.mysister-myfriend.com or www.mcnairproductions.com

In addition, you may call 407/222-7389 or 888/358-1082 if you have further questions.

Please make all checks payable to My Sister – My Friend, Inc. and mail to the address below

(ATTN: Lucille O’Neal):

Saving Our Babies - The JJ Way

Breakfast Symposium

'Saving Our Babies - The JJ Way' has called together leaders in the government, health, social service and faith communities for a breakfast symposium to be held on Friday April 11, 2008. The keynote speaker for this event, Dr. Charles Mahan, is Dean and Professor Emeritus at the College of Public Health and The Lawton and Rhea Chiles Center for Healthy Mothers and Babies at the University of South Florida. Hosted by Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford, the meeting will focus on sharing the facts and shaping solutions in a collaborative effort to end this runaway racial disparity. "Our combined strengths and efforts will prevail as we move forward with an agenda to improve the health of all members of our community, particularly our most vulnerable and needy populations, with this sincere effort to prevent infant deaths" states Joseph.

Download the full press release
Download the factsheet

For more details call 407-860-0611 or e-mail jennie@jenniejoseph.com

Baby Shower

The Orlando Zeta chapter kindly threw a wonderful baby shower for our Moms in June 2007. Everyone had a great time. Many thanks to the Zeta sorority for their kind support and their mission to prevent prematurity.

You can see plenty more photos from this wonderful event in the photo gallery over on The Birth Place site.

NEW!The Birth Place to Host December Baby Shower

The Birth Place birthing center is set to host it's second annual Christmas Baby Shower, December 15, 2007 at Pine Hills Community Center. We welcome your donations of new, unisex baby clothing and items, diapers and of course cash! With your help we can provide our local Moms a helping hand to welcome their new baby into the family. For more information call 407 656 6938 or email jennie@commonsensechildbirth.org. Thank you!