Health care CEO, Penn State alum calls on community to help March for Babies reach fundraising goal
As a proud Penn State alum, longtime resident of Centre County and leader for one of the state’s largest providers of health care coverage, I’m calling on my home community to rally behind a worthy cause: saving the lives of mothers and babies. As the chair of the 2024 Central and Western PA March for Babies, I harness my passion for the health of humankind, which is more than just my professional duty, it’s a cause that hits home.
My grandmother tragically lost her life during childbirth and my twins were born premature due to complications from preeclampsia. I was fortunate. Equipped with robust health care resources and family support, we made it home safe and sound and ultimately thrived. But too many mothers and babies in Pennsylvania aren’t as lucky, living in ZIP codes that often determine post-birth health outcomes. We must do better. Though Centre County scored relatively well in a 2023 report on maternal health, its maternal vulnerability index was higher than the bordering counties of Blair, Union and Cambria.
March of Dimes’ mission is to prevent the death of mothers and babies — this includes closing the health equity gap. The western side of the state has set a formidable pace by raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to date against our $1 million March for Babies target. But as Nittany Lions, we know a friendly rivalry can bring out the best in us. All of us, in some way, have been touched by unexpected birth outcomes, including premature birth and postpartum depression. By sharing our personal stories, organizing a walk, and giving what you can, it’s my hope that we can surpass this year’s fundraising goal by Mother’s Day.
At Highmark Wholecare, we’re expanding access to doulas, providing nutritionally dense food to mothers postpartum, and have one of the most robust programs to prevent and manage maternal depression. These initiatives are vital steps in our comprehensive approach to improving outcomes for mothers and babies, and they are all directly connected to March of Dimes’ advocacy work, which arms health care providers with strategies to push forward with impactful initiatives.
The stakes are high, and not just in terms of bragging rights. Pennsylvania’s maternal health statistics are stark: birthing hospitals have decreased by 14% and our maternal mortality rate is double the national average. Together, let’s harness the power of Penn State pride and reach this year’s fundraising goal for our mothers and babies.
Ellen Duffield is the president and CEO of Highmark Wholecare.
