[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 165 (Friday, October 18, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING AULTMAN HOSPITAL AND CANTON CITY PUBLIC HEALTH BEING 
             HONORED WITH THE AHA DICK DAVIDSON NOVA AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ANTHONY GONZALEZ

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 18, 2019

  Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Aultman Hospital and Canton City Public Health in Canton, Ohio--winners 
of the 2019 American Hospitals Association Dick Davidson NOVA Award for 
their joint efforts to create the Stark County Toward Health Resiliency 
for Infant Vitality and Equity (THRIVE) program.
  THRIVE promotes women's health before, during and after pregnancy. 
After conducting a fetal infant-mortality review, the collaborating 
stakeholders selected interventions that would have the greatest 
possible impact on overall infant mortality and the disparity between 
white and black infant mortality rates. THRIVE's goals include raising 
awareness of the value of prenatal care, linking women to prenatal 
services, addressing barriers to prenatal care and meeting socio-
economic needs. THRIVE also focuses on safe sleep education, policies 
and resources to stop the problem of infants dying at home because of 
unsafe sleeping conditions.
  While local hospitals provided the initial collaborative funding, 
additional funding was provided by the Ohio Department of Medicaid and 
the March of Dimes. THRIVE's strength is also due to other 
collaborative partners such as local school districts, community health 
providers and faith-based groups. It is THRIVE's stated goal that every 
baby born in Stark County has the opportunity to reach his or her First 
Birthday. I can think of no more noble goal.
  I applaud Aultman Hospital and Canton City Public Health for their 
leadership in developing THRIVE to address the pressing public health 
concern of infant mortality in Stark County. It is my earnest hope your 
efforts become the model for addressing Ohio's Infant Mortality Rates 
as well. I think we all look to the day when every child born in the 
great State of Ohio can reach their First Birthday.
  Congratulations on earning the 2019 American Hospitals Association 
Dick Davidson NOVA Award.

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