Inova Loudoun Hospital Employees Walk in Support of the March of Dimes

Leesburg, VA – (April 26, 2009) — Dozens of employees from Inova Loudoun Hospital today joined the crowds at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg to take part in the March of Dimes’ “March for Babies” event. Inova formed its own team with the goal of raising $10,000. Hospital employees also served as volunteers and worked the “spirit stations” along the 5-mile route.

“From volunteer to walkers, we had a very enthusiastic team take part in today’s event,” said Deena Lanham, RNC, MSN, Senior Director, Women and Children’s Services, Inova Loudoun Hospital, who is also serving as the Revenue Chair for this event. “The hospital fully supports the mission of the March of Dimes, which complements the quality services the hospital provides for newborns.”

Funds raised by the March for Babies support life-saving research, community services, education and advocacy aimed at preventing premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality. Last year in Loudoun County, walkers and teams raised a total of $150,000 and this year’s target is $155,000. Today’s event was one of 900 March for Babies events that draws nearly 1 million people each year in communities across the country.

The Birthing Inn at Inova Loudoun Hospital includes a Level IIIA Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) that provides care for critically ill newborns. The neonatologists and nursing staff in the NICU cared for more than 170 newborns in 2008 and are highly specialized and trained in the care of premature infants.

Inova Loudoun Hospital, serving Loudoun County for nearly 100 years, is part of Inova Health System, a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.