Miles OB Nurse is MHA Caregiver of the Year

(Augusta, ME, June 25, 2008)-An obstetrics nurse who brought international recognition to Miles Memorial Hospital's maternity department has been selected the Maine Hospital Association's Caregiver of the Year.

Thousands of Damariscotta-area children owe their gentle transition into this world thanks to Janice Wood, RN, IBCLC, of Bremen. Wood's commitment to promoting a high standard of maternity and breastfeeding care, Miles became the first hospital in Maine, and only the fifth hospital in the United States, to achieve Baby Friendly status from the World Health Organization and UNICEF. This honor recognizes excellence in care and support of mothers and babies, with an emphasis on breastfeeding, rooming-in and maintaining a nurturing and educational environment.

More than 25 years ago, Wood began the Childbirth Education Program at Miles. As a result, thousands of children took their first breaths in a family-centered, compassionate environment, according to her nomination, made by Miles Interim CEO Judy McGuire. Her supportive care of her patients and close attention to follow-up means she's even made home visits on her own time.

As an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and Neonatal Resuscitation and BLS Certified, Wood consistently shares her knowledge and passion with caregivers, including physicians, at Miles, throughout Maine and internationally. Last year, she helped organize a medical team with two nurses, a physician and an EMT to travel to Uganda to provide HIV education, midwifery training and direct patient care. She gathered all the supplies for the trip, raised funds to supplement the donated supplies and used her own money to cover her travel expenses. She's also visited China and South America.

Wood is the second Miles employee to receive the statewide Caregiver of the Year Award since it began in 2002. She joins Miles Social Worker Dorothy Petersen who was honored with the award in 2004. Wood was recognized on June 25 at the Maine Hospital Association's annual Summer Forum held at the Samoset Resort in Rockport. The MHA Caregiver of the Year should demonstrate the following characteristics:

Exemplifies extraordinary commitment to patients on a daily basis;
Shows compassion, empathy and respect in the delivery of care to patients and their families;
Acknowledges and meets the unique physical, emotional and practical needs of patients and their families; and
Promotes an environment of cooperation and collaboration in which the expertise and experience of all health care professionals are available to patients.

"Jan Wood's dedication to the quality of obstetrics care at Miles is a shining example of how caregivers in Maine go above and beyond the call of duty for their patients," said MHA President Steven Michaud. "We are proud to present her with the Caregiver of the Year Award."

Located in Augusta, the Maine Hospital Association represents 39 community-governed hospitals in Maine and provides advocacy, information and education to its members in fulfilling their mission to improve the health of their patients and communities they serve.

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Miles OB Nurse is MHA Caregiver of the Year