March 16, 2010 Special Prematurity Briefing Hearing held at state capitol

The purpose of the hearing was to elevate prematurity as an important health issue at the state Capitol and to educate Legislators and their staff about prematurity. The briefing covered a number of prematurity topics including: preconception/ interconception, prevention, prenatal care, hospital care, maternal quality care, perinatal quality care, discharge/transitioning out of the hospital, and follow up care for those born premature.

The briefing hearing was co-sponsored by the CA Premature Infant Health Coalition, Assembly Health Committee and Senate Health Committee.

Below is a partial list of those prematurity leaders that testified:
• Robert Kahle, MD (Secretary Treasurer, CA Assoc. Neonatologists; Medical Director, Women’s and Children’s Services, Mercy Healthcare Sacramento & Chair CA Premature Infant Health Coalition
• Ronald L. Ariagno, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Emeritus, Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Stanford School of Medicine
• Cynthia Harding, MPH, MCAH Director Los Angeles County
• Tyan Parker Dominguez, PH.D., MPH, MSW, Assistant Professor USC
• Herman L. Hedriana, MD, UC Davis School of Medicine
• Lynn Kersey, Director, MCH Access LA
• Jeanne A. Conry, MD, PhD, Chair Executive Committee ACOG
• Elliot Main, MD, California Pacific Med Ctr/CMQCC, Chairman or Debra Bingham, MS, RN, LCCE, DrPH
• Jeffrey Gould, MD, MPH Developmental Medicine Stanford University/ Principle Investigator, CPQCC or Barbara Murphy, RN, MSN
• Philippe Friedlich, MD, Section Head, Children’s Hospital LA Operations, Med Director, Newborn & Infant Critical Care Unit - Children’s Hospital Los Angeles - Univ of So California Keck School of Medicine
• Erin Aarberg Givens, Executive Director, Children’s Specialty Care Coalition
• Family Voices – Follow up care and family focused issues