March of Dimes Named Recipient of AHA Award of Honor

WASHINGTON (April 23, 2021) – The American Hospital Association (AHA) today announced the presentation of its 2020 Award of Honor to March of Dimes for its commitment to advancing the health and well-being of mothers and babies. The award is given to individuals or organizations in recognition of exemplary contributions to the health and well-being of our nation through leadership on major health policies or social initiatives.

March of Dimes is a national nonprofit that fights for the health of all moms and babies. The Arlington, VA-based organization works to address some of the biggest threats to moms and babies, such as premature birth and maternal mortality through research, education, programs and advocacy. Since the onset of the pandemic, March of Dimes has provided health information to women navigating pregnancy and childbirth, advocated for legislation prioritizing moms and babies and helped advance health equity through its Breaking Through Bias™ implicit bias training, a course for health care professionals in maternal and infant care settings.

“For more than 80 years, March of Dimes has led the charge to address maternal and infant mortality and morbidity,” said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. “Its legacy of compassion has improved — and in many cases saved — the lives of millions of mothers and infants around the world. The AHA applauds the organization’s decades of leadership and advocacy prioritizing the health of mothers and infants and its steadfast commitment to advancing research on issues threatening their health.”

President Franklin D. Roosevelt's battle with polio led to the creation of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, known today as the March of Dimes. The Foundation pioneered the polio vaccine research that paved the way for its eventual elimination in the U.S. After polio, the organization shifted focus to address health challenges threatening moms and babies. In addition to their advocacy efforts, March of Dimes also educates medical professionals and the public on best practices for infant and maternal health, funds lifesaving research and provides support to families with an infant in the neonatal intensive care unit.

“We appreciate this recognition and value the AHA’s support in ensuring health care providers across the country can better identify and remedy implicit bias when caring for women before, during and after pregnancy,” said Stacey D. Stewart, president and CEO of March of Dimes. “Together, we can make sure all moms and babies get the best possible start.”

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Contact:       Marie Johnson, 202-626-2351, mjohnson@aha.org    
                    Thomas Jordan, 202-626-2264, tjordan@aha.com

About the American Hospital Association
The American Hospital Association (AHA) is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA advocates on behalf of our nearly 5,000 member hospitals, health systems and other health care organizations, our clinician partners – including more than 270,000 affiliated physicians, 2 million nurses and other caregivers – and the 43,000 health care leaders who belong to our professional membership groups. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides insight and education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA website at www.aha.org.

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 mom and baby can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 80-year legacy of impact and innovation, we’re there for every family—those who had first-hand hardships, those celebrating their health and those just trying to start their families. For more information go to marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org, and visit shareyourstory.org for comfort and support. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.