FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Christine Rogers
(919) 256-9593
Making a Commitment to Reduce Infant Death and Illness in North Carolina
New Members Join the North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation Board
(Raleigh, NC) – As the North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation celebrates 20 years of dedication to improving the health of women and young children across the state, it welcomes four new board members. James (Jed) Hysong, CPA with Credit Suisse, Dr. Elizabeth (Betsey) Tilson, Medical Director, Community Care of Wake and Johnston counties and pediatrician with Wake Human Services, Buck Wilson, Health Director, Cumberland County Health Department, and Dr. Evelyn Varnado, OB/GYN with Triad Women’s Health Center.
In addition, four directors were elected to leadership roles. Dorothy Cilenti, DrPH, Deputy Director of the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health's N.C. Institute for Public Health, will serve as Chair of the Foundation’s board of directors. Other officers: Bob Garren, MBA, Vice President Human Resources and Corporate Communications at International Textile Group -Vice Chair; Keischa Lovelace, Special Deputy Commissioner of the N.C. Industrial Commission - Secretary and Jed Hysong, CPA and Assistant Vice President Financial Accounting as Treasurer at Credit Suisse - Treasurer.
"I am delighted to have this talented and dedicated group of professionals join our board and to have Dorothy Cilenti taking on this new leadership role," said Janice Freedman, MPH, Executive Director for the North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation. "Dorothy has significant local and state level experience developing policies and programs benefiting women and children. Since joining the board in 2007, I have admired her commitment to our mission of improving the health of women and young children across North Carolina."
When the Foundation was established in 1990 North Carolina had the dubious distinction of having the highest infant mortality rate in the country. Since that time the Foundation has played a pivotal role in leading statewide and targeted public awareness campaigns and provided free educational materials to reduce infant mortality. What’s changed in North Carolina in 20 years?
34% increase in the number of babies born each year
Significant increase in Latino babies born (now 16% of NC births)
35% decrease in the infant mortality (death) rate
Significant decrease in the rate of babies dying of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Reduction of SIDS deaths in NC childcare settings (formerly the number one cause of deaths there) to a rare event
"The Foundation has a long list of accomplishments," says new board member Buck Wilson. "But we all recognize that challenges remain and I want to do all I can to help in that effort across the state."
For additional information about the North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation, visit www.NCHealthyStart.org or visit us on Facebook.
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The N.C. Healthy Start Foundation, a
nonprofit organization established in 1990, conducts
ongoing public education campaigns, advises state and
local policy makers, and provides technical assistance
and professional training focused on reducing infant
death and illness and improving the health of women
and young children in North Carolina.
