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Marianne Coleman
There was no Healthy Start program in Rochester until Unity Health System, in partnership with the Perinatal Network of Monroe County, created one in the Southwest neighborhood. Now Marianne Coleman can’t imagine the community being without it. The Center provides essential health care and other services for hundreds of pregnant women and new mothers every year.
Healthy Start is designed to reduce infant mortality and low birth weight babies for pregnant women who are at high-risk of poor birth outcomes. And their hard work and dedication is paying off. The trends among Healthy Start participants have improved by showing: a 27% increase in those entering prenatal care in the first trimester; a 13% increase in the number of those receiving adequate prenatal care; and a 17% decrease in the number of low birth weight babies.
This Healthy Start program is special. "We offer 'one-stop shopping' for participants by coordinating with other community agencies, and providing a wide range of health care and social services in one convenient location," Marianne says. Moms-to-be and new mothers receive Ob/Gyn and pediatric services, as well as legal assistance, parenting classes, education programs, and transportation to medical and other appointments, as well as many other services.
Healthy Start is important because “there can be so many barriers to care,” Marianne says. She and the Healthy Start staff knock down those barriers, and build a safe, supportive environment for participants. “We welcome everyone with open arms and a smile. We become a family for them.”
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