March 1, 2008
Dear KPA Members,
It is a real pleasure to celebrate with everyone our 20 years of progress in taking care of mothers and babies in Kentucky. The Kentucky Perinatal Association extends its thanks and appreciation for your support and dedication toward our organization’s endeavors. But as we move to the future, we must realize that the tremendous successes of the organization have been possible through the leadership of its past presidents:
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We are also saddened by the passing of Dr. Thomas Pauly whom we all knew as a leader in KPA and a friend. At the present, the KPA is very fortunate to have the continued commitment of several past presidents in its Board of Directors (David Adamkin, Ruth Ann Shepherd, Lynda Sanders, John Morrison, Allana Oak). To them, I would like to attribute the many recent successes of the KPA. The president elect is Amy Snell, R.N. who also has been very active with the KPA and has served as Secretary for the Organization for several years. Gary Walls has been a member of the Board of Directors and will continue to serve his position as the lifetime Treasurer. Juliana Dick has also joined the KPA as Executive Director and her diligent effort has resulted in increase in membership and sponsorship.
As the current President, I am indeed privileged to be in office at a time when the organization is financially strong and solvent, having the steady support from our members and our many sponsors; all believe in our mission of ensuring the best care for mothers and children through education of health care professionals.
The Kentucky Perinatal Association is a stakeholder in several statewide initiatives from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, is a partner in the many March of Dimes activities, works in collaboration with other state perinatal organizations, and continues to be active in legislative advocacy related to perinatal care and maternal and child health. The KPA supported the legislation on the program of presumptive eligibility that enables eligible pregnant women to receive prenatal care through Medicaid while their eligibility for full Medicaid benefits is determined. The following are some examples of the tireless involvement of KPA.
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Promoting perinatal education of health care professionals is a continuing endeavor. We believe in its importance and thus each annual meeting has become a venue to provide up-to-date information in perinatal care through its seminars, awarding continuing education units and continuing medical education credits to participants. We have expanded in this area since we have initiated a web-based program, the Health Professional Education on Prematurity. Our educational activities extend through the whole state and with use of technology we are able to reach everyone in Kentucky and even those in other states and other countries. This continuing effort is made possible by an educational grant from the March of Dimes, Greater Kentucky Chapter. As everyone is aware, prematurity is a major problem for Kentucky with 1 of 7 babies born premature every day. Thus the first web-based educational module was on prematurity prevention with over 700 participants registered for the course. Another web-based module is coming soon.
Because of the organization’s active involvement in education and perinatal care initiatives at the state level, KPA received the State Initiative Award from the National Perinatal Association. John Morrison, M.D. accepted the award on behalf of the KPA at the national conference in San Diego. The KPA has also applied to the appropriate organizations to be the provider for continuing educational units and continuing medical education credits. By accomplishing this, the organization will be able to continue to award educational credits at a minimal cost.
The association is very active in the Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait Initiative. The National March of Dimes and the Johnson and Johnson Research Institute have chosen Kentucky for a demonstration program to provide interventions to prevent the alarming increase in preterm birth rate. As a demonstration project, multiple programs at multiple levels are currently being implemented in designated sites while similar data collection is ongoing in control sites within the state. A progress in this initiative will be shared with everyone at the annual meeting at General Butler Park by Karla Damus, Ph.D. from the National March of Dimes.
The organization is participating in the Perinatal Advisory Task Force to review the current perinatal care statewide and with emphasis on implementing regionalization of care based on the national guidelines from the joint effort of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics. KPA is one of the many organizations and institutions involved in this initiative and will continue to do so to ensure the best quality in perinatal care delivered to the mothers and babies in Kentucky through state-of the art knowledge and evidence-based practices by health care professionals.
The Kentucky Perinatal Association will continue to be responsive to the perinatal health care needs of Kentucky. It is indeed a real pleasure to lead an organization as the Kentucky Perinatal Association with members having the passion and enthusiasm to promote maternal and child health. As we move forward, add more to our undertakings, and meet the challenges ahead, we trust to be able to make a difference in the health of mothers and babies of today and in the next generation.
The Kentucky Perinatal Association salutes its members for their 20 years of dedication and service!
Sincerely,
Henrietta S. Bada, M.D., M.P.H.
KPA president
