PRESS CONTACT: Kara Dress, 202-367-2434, marketing@lamaze.org
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WASHINGTON (September 16, 2008)—Eleven outstanding individuals and organizations were honored today for their contributions to the normal birth community. They were presented the 2008 Lamaze International Awards for their tireless efforts to promote, support and protect normal birth through education and advocacy. The criteria for each award ranges from advocacy efforts to significant research achievements. To learn more about the individual awards, please visit Lamaze International online at www.lamaze.org.

On behalf of the birthing community, Lamaze International would like to thank all of the award winners for their contribution to the health of women, children and communities everywhere.

The 2008 Lamaze International award winners are:

• Birth Care Network was presented the Normal Birth Advocate Award in appreciation of their work in providing options for positive, informed childbirth in the Kentucky/Indiana area, and for encouraging normal birth practices for women.
• Johanna Gorab, RNC, IBCLC, LCCE, FACCE, was presented the Elisabeth Bing Award in recognition and appreciation of her achievement in establishing Lamaze in Bergen County, New Jersey, and for her continued effort in providing access to Lamaze childbirth classes for the women of her community.
• Rebecca Cohen, MD, was presented the Irwin Chabon Award in recognition of her dedication to the Lamaze Philosophy of Birth, shown through her work as a health care provider, empowering the women of her community by “fighting for normal birth.”
• The CIMS Grassroots Action Committee was presented the President’s Award in recognition of their ingenuity and commitment to create The Birth Survey, which empowers pregnant women to make informed health care choices. 
• Maria Robayo, MS, LCCE, was presented the Outreach Award in recognition and appreciation of her outreach and commitment to underserved, childbearing Latina women and their families.
• Ann Tumblin, BA, CD, LCCE, FACCE, was presented the International Award in recognition and appreciation for establishing, promoting and supporting Lamaze Childbirth Education in China, Korea and Romania.
• Juliet Dietsch, DEM, was presented the Marjorie Karmel Award in recognition and appreciation of her dedication to the advancement of normal birth throughout her career as a midwife, and for her “selfless acts of love toward the mothers, fathers and children in the community.” 
• Teri Shilling, MS, CD(DONA), IBCLC, LCCE was presented a Service Award in recognition and appreciation of her dedicated service on behalf of the Lamaze International Annual Conference.   
• Carol Penn DO, MA, CD (DONA), RYT, LCCE, FACCE, Jeannette Crenshaw, RN, IBCLC, LCCE, FACCE, and Judy Lothian, RN, PhD, LCCE, FACCE, were presented the Board Recognition Award for their dedicated service as members of the Lamaze International Board of Directors.

The awards were presented at The Lamaze International 2008 Annual Conference, where childbirth educators, advocates and supporters gather yearly to celebrate birth. Lamaze International congratulates all of the award winners and nominees on their dedication, passion and tireless effort.

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Since its founding in 1960, Lamaze International has worked to promote, support and protect normal birth through education and advocacy through the dedicated efforts of professional childbirth educators, providers and parents. An international organization with regional, state and area networks, its members and volunteer leaders include childbirth educators, nurses, midwives, doulas, lactation consultants, physicians, students and consumers. For more information about Lamaze International and the Lamaze Institute for Normal Birth, visit www.lamaze.org.

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