September 24, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Sherri Holman, MPH
Associate Director of Public Affairs
P (212) 939-1372 F (212) 939-1367
sherri.holman@nychhc.org

On Friday, October 2, 2009 at 3:00 PM, Harlem Hospital Center will honor the 2009 Nurse Family Partnership Graduates. The ceremony will take place at the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Center at 34 West 134th Street in New York City. Distinguished guests, colleagues and friends will celebrate with the mothers and their children for successfully completing the program.

The Nurse Family Partnership is a Harlem Hospital Center initiative that teaches first time mothers and fathers how to have a successful pregnancy, parenting skills, and works with families to improve their economic situation. Trained registered nurses begin working with families in their homes at the beginning of the pregnancy. They encourage the moms to receive prenatal care from a healthcare provider, eat a healthy diet, and to reduce or eliminate unhealthy lifestyle habits. Mothers also receive a wealth of knowledge that allows them to become comfortable and confident in navigating through the NYC Social Service system.

Past graduates have said the Nurse Family Partnership changed their lives by providing them with the necessary information and tools to ensure a healthy pregnancy and a positive future. The program empowers these vulnerable first-time parents to overcome life challenges and to evolve into successful parents and productive members of their communities.

“We believe that the Nurse Family Partnership helps grow strong families by providing the social support and healthcare that is so important for a new mother and her baby,” said John M. Palmer, Ph.D., Executive Director of Harlem Hospital Center. “We also get the new dads involved in the educational process to encourage a healthy pregnancy, a healthy mom, and a healthy baby. This program will benefit the Harlem Community for generations to come.”

“This is an exciting time for the Nurse Family Partnership and Harlem Hospital Center,” said Ms. June Bobcombe, Administrator of the Nurse Family Partnership at Harlem Hospital Center, “We get to celebrate with the graduates and watch the mothers and their children step out and spread their wings.”

Harlem Hospital Center is a member of the Generations+/Northern Manhattan Health Network and the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation.