Page 5 - MidWeek Kauai - March 23, 2022

The fundraising event will recognize Dr. Angela Pratt, chair of obstetrics and gyne- cology at Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children (the first Native Ha- waiian and first female to hold the position), as well as the late Martha Smith, the former CEO of Kapiʻolani Medical Center and ex- ecutive vice president of O‘ahu operations
“This was Martha Smith’s dream to build the Diamond Head Tower (where the NICU is located at Kapiʻolani), so that these babies could be cared for in the best possible environment,” explains Pratt. “When I first met Martha decades ago, we often dreamed of this and what we could do to make this happen.”
Children in excellent health,” Pratt says. “I am so proud to have been delivered at Kapi‘olani.”
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Dr. Angela Pratt
During March of Hope, guests can also expect a fashion show featuring moms and babies, entertainment by Anuhea and Ginny Tiu, and delicious food from award-win- ning Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach.
Martha Smith
for Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, for their efforts in supporting moms and babies.
For co-chair Ellie Ventula-Honda, March
of Dimes is an organization close to her heart. Born premature at just under 5 pounds at St. Francis Hospital, Ventula-Honda now is an advocate for education and support for moms and babies in Hawaiʻi and beyond. She and fellow co-chair Kelly Sanders, executive vice president of operations at Highgate, look forward to having each guest better understand the mis- sion of March of Dimes. Their hope is that each guest “leaves the event knowing that their continued support will help to make an impact in funding education and resources for im- proving quality prenatal care for moms and babies.”
For Pratt, the story of the Diamond Head Tower comes full circle. Her journey with the hospital started before she was even born. Pratt’s mother was admitted to Kapiʻolani after sustain- ing injuries during a motor vehicle accident. After emergency surgery, Pratt’s mom was admitted for preterm labor.
To register or donate, visit marchofdimes.org/events and
“Luckily, both of us survived and she carried me to full term where I was born at Kapiʻolani Center for Women &
enter “Honolulu” in the city location box.
— Nicole Monton
FROM PAGE 4
bies.” One of its newest board members, for example, is U.S. Renal Care, which is helping the organization educate moth- ers about diabetes and hyper- tension. Lee, for his part, puts an emphasis on educating em- ployers because “the majority of birthing parents will prob- ably be working,” he shares.
plines in medicine to figure out what causes a mom to deliver prematurely. We can specu- late age, ethnicity or multiple births, but it’s not conclusive.”
they’ re getting closer to un- derstanding precisely why a mother might deliver earlier than normal.
education, and that begins by helping mothers to understand proper nutrition and why mak- ing healthy choices matter.
“I’m crossing my fingers for the day we can cure premature birth,” Lee adds.
Mahalo to our Presenting Sponsor: Earthworks Pacific Inc.
“Our future starts with moms and babies, and a lot of it starts before you think of conceiving,” explains Howard Lee, March of Dimes board chair, and president and CEO of UHA Health Insurance.
The research, though, is coming along nicely, and
Education, though, extends far beyond just the mother, and March of Dimes is ac- tively working to partner with organizations that will holis- tically perpetuate its mission of “healthy moms, strong ba-
There’s no doubt that the March of Dimes team has its boots on the ground in Ha- waiʻi, but it’s also doing its part to aid in funding innova- tion on a large scale.
Island School’s 43rd Annual Gala Auction
Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 6pm

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“place of peace and balance”
in your garden
828-6400 www.gardenpondskauai.com
In Kilauea, next to Mini Golf • Open Wed-Sun • 12 to 5 pm
“There’s this amazing na- tional research arm,” Lee says. “They take different disci-
Creating that
MARCH 23, 2022 KAUA‘I MIDWEEK 5
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