Maternity Case Manager Honored with Healthy Babies Award

Kay Yanit, RN, BSN, case manager in the Women’s Health and at McKenzie-Willamette is a 2009 Lane County Healthy Babies Award Recipient. The award is given annually by the Healthy Babies, Healthy Communities Initiative (HBHC) to recognize efforts in the county that help reduce fetal-infant mortality and increase infant health. The award will be presented by the Lane County Commissioners at a reception held Thursday, September 24 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Valley River Inn.

“I’m honored to be receiving this award and grateful to McKenzie-Willamette for supporting my role as a liaison and advocate in for moms-to-be who may face challenges, such as drug addiction, domestic violence, and mental illness,” says Yanit.

Lane County's perinatal mortality rate is the highest in Oregon, and higher than the national average. Representing McKenzie-Willamette, Yanit works with a wide range of community partners interested in reducing fetal-infant mortality and increasing the health of babies in our community. She counsels young moms about everything from nutrition to use of street drugs to breastfeeding. Yanit frequently acts as liaison between expecting moms, physicians and a wide range of social and health services.

Background.

HBHC has identified strategies for investigating the causes, contributing factors, and for prevention and intervention activities. Their goal is to reduce Lane County’s rate of fetal-infant mortality and increase infant health in our communities by assuring community driven examination of significant social, economic, cultural, safety, health system factors; by planning and participating in community-based interventions and policies that address these factors; and by evaluating the progress and effectiveness of selected interventions. Learn more at www. lanecounty.org/prevention/healthybabies.htm.

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