News, Events & Resources

In the News...

FRONT PAGE:

Hospitals push breast-feeding in hopes of getting 'baby-friendly' label

Jennifer Delgado, Chicago Tribune - January 10, 2013

"After the births of her first two children, Charmaine Sharkey's neighborhood hospital gave her cans of baby formula and sent her on her way... But Sharkey tried something different when her youngest, Dynasty, was born six months ago. The 28-year-old mother from Englewood breast-fed the 6-pound baby, a change she credits to guidance and programs offered by Stroger Hospital of Cook County..."

Grant-Funded Doula Program Helps New Mothers

Trinitas Regional Medical Center News (Elizabeth, NJ) - August 24, 2012

"Experienced mothers give expectant women the mothering they need" ~ About launching the Mothering Mothers/Apoyando Madres community-based doula program in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

What Can Mississippi Learn From Iran?

New York Times Magazine - July 27, 2012

"The practice of community health workers going door to door has been applied everywhere from China to Mexico. According to Carl H. Rush of the University of Texas Institute of Health Policy, in the United States, community health workers have been used on a small scale for decades. More recently, he says, hospitals around the country are realizing the potential for community health workers to lower their costs."

Public Eye - Rosetta Walls, Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Time Out Chicago - July 19-25, 2012

What do you do for a living? I'm a breastfeeding educator at Stroger Hospital.

Is there a lot to it? [Laughs] Well , right now a lot of women have gotten away from it, especially in the African-American community, so...

Mothering Mothers: The Elizabeth Community-based Doula Program - Video

Produced by Kelly Creedon - July 2012

Running 6:12, this video tells the story of Elizabeth NJ's Community-Based Doula Program, narrated in part by Doula Supervisor, and including new moms in the program, and doulas-in-training. It takes awhile to load, but it's worth it!

Best Venerable Program for Pregnant and Parenting Teens

Chicago Reader - "Best of Chicago 2012" - June 20, 2012

"For 32 years Marillac, a west-side social service center, has been working to strengthen the bond between teen parents and their children. Home visitors help pregnant teens..." [read more]

Baby Steps for Breastfeeding Success - Video

Cook County Public Health - May 2012

Describes a hospital's role in supporting moms and babies, drawing on the expertise of the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthConnect One, Little Company of Mary Hospital, and Northwest Community Hospital (6 minutes)

Kellogg Invests $3M in Community Health Workers

HealthConnect One Media Release - February 3, 2012

The birth of a new career

by Marketplace from American Public Media - December 23, 2011

New programs help low-income women train to become doulas and birthing assistants.

Give Where the Women Are

by DailyWorth - December 13, 2011

"When you give aid to women, what happens? Studies show that women use the support they get to build and enrich their communities. You give, they give (and you may get a tax break)—a triple win."

HealthConnect One is proud to be spotlighted alongside the Global Fund for Women and The White House Project.

Hospital enlists new moms in fight against childhood obesity

The Daily Herald - November 21, 2011

Northwest Community Hospital in Illinois launches a breastfeeding peer counselor program, with guidance from HC One and federal funding through Communities Putting Prevention to Work.

After WBEZ report, hospital steps up breastfeeding efforts

Chicago Public Radio (WBEZ 91.5 FM) - August 2, 2011

Holy Cross, HC One's partner in the Healthy Places collaborative, is the first Chicago hospital to register in the United Nations' Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative.

Remember infant health

Chicago Tribune "Voice of the People" - July 8, 2011

HC One Executive Director Rachel Abramson shares her views on birth and the economy, in response to the July 5th Chicago Tribune editorial, "Come on, baby."

Regulators let breast milk compete with formula in hospitals

Chicago Public Radio (WBEZ 91.5 FM) - May 5, 2011

RADIO: When it comes to feeding infants, the healthiest option is mother’s milk. But many Chicago-area hospitals don’t act like it. Should authorities crack down?

The Comunity-Based Doula Program Initiative - The First Project Period

HRSA’s Division of Healthy Start and Perinatal Services in the Maternal and Child Health Bureau - Webcast - April 26, 2011

Breast-feeding disparities sharp in Chicago-area hospitals

Chicago Public Radio (WBEZ 91.5 FM) - March 14, 2011

RADIO: HC One Executive Director Rachel Abramson shares her perspective on hospital practices which support breastfeeding, and WBEZ reporter Chip Mitchell compares Illinois Hospital Report Card data from the 49 hospitals that deliver babies in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will counties.

Community Stories: Catching Our Babies

Seattle Channel - March 14, 2011

VIDEO: Open Arms Perinatal Services Clinical Director Michelle Sarju speaks about doulas, midwives, home births, and the medical model of birth in the African-American community. Michelle Sarju is one of the few African-American midwives in Washington state. Open Arms is one of HC One's Community-Based Doula Replication Sites.

Community-Based Doula Programs Work!

APHA's Maternal and Child Health Section Newsletter - Fall 2010

Learning for Life: Outreach Doulas supporting Latina, Somali mothers

King 5 News - June 23, 2010

Doula becoming a household name

ABC News - May 22, 2010

Awards & Recognition

U.S. DHHS - Office of Minority Health

Chicago CHW Local Network Coordinator Laura Bahena was selected in April 2011 to serve on the National Steering Committee for Promotores de Salud. This Steering Committee will work in collaboration with the Federal Workgroup for the Promotores initiative, to provide leadership and guidance in the development and implementation of a newly established National Initiative for Promotores de Salud focused on Latino/Hispanic populations. Congratulations, Laura!

City of Chicago - Treasurer's Office

HealthConnect One is thrilled to have won first prize in the 2011 "Best Business Email Marketing" contest for small businesses and non-profits, for our "Have You Ever Been a Baby?" campaign. Thank you to the Chicago City Treasurer's Office, to Constant Contact, and to everyone who participated in this campaign!

APHA's MCH Leadership Award

HealthConnect One's Executive Director Rachel Abramson received national recognition from the American Public Health Association's Maternal and Child Health Section when she was named their 2009 Outstanding Leader in Advocacy. Congratulations, Rachel! Read more...

Health & Medicine Policy Research Group

- Health Award

Rachel Abramson was selected by the Health & Medicine Policy Research Group for their 2009 Health Award. The HMPRG Awards Ceremony and Cocktail Party was held Thursday, October 1, 2009.

To hear acceptance speeches...

For further information...