WASHINGTON (October 5, 2009)—Lamaze International awarded 11 individuals and organizations for their role in the advancement of natural, safe, and healthy birth practices. The awards were presented at the Lamaze International 2009 Annual Conference. Awards were given in acknowledgement of outstanding maternity care; exemplary professional childbirth education; community outreach and advocacy; commitment to healthy birth practices and positive outcomes; and dedicated service to Lamaze International and its mission. Criteria for each individual award are available online at www.lamaze.org.

Lamaze International thanks all of the award winners for their ongoing efforts to promote safe and healthy birth for mothers and their babies.

The 2009 Lamaze International Award Winners are:

• Katharine E. Rawlins, CD(DONA), PCD(DONA), was presented the Safe and Healthy Birth Advocate Award in recognition of her promotion of safe and healthy birth and its contribution to childbearing women and their families.
• Debby Amis, RN, BSN, CD(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, was presented the Elisabeth Bing award in appreciation of her continued efforts to train and mentor new Lamaze childbirth educators.
• Jacqueline Levine, BA, CLC, CD(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, was presented the Outreach Award in appreciation of her outreach and commitment to support and educate women in underprivileged communities to have natural, safe and healthy birth practices.
• Rixa Freeze, PhD, was presented the Safe and Healthy Birth Media Award in recognition and appreciation of her engagement of new media and reaching childbearing women with critical messages about safe and healthy birth practices.
• St. Johns Mercy Medical Center was presented the Research Award in honor of their contribution to childbirth education through their research on the impact of Lamaze class content on the decision to have an elective labor induction.
• Jeanne Green, CD(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, was presented the Service Award in appreciation of her dedicated service as Chair of the Lamaze International Education Council.
• Allison Walsh, IBCLC, LCCE, FACCE, and Maria Brooks CD(DONA), LCCE, were Board Recognition Awards for their dedicated service as members of the Lamaze International Board of Directors.
• Teri Shilling, MS, CD(DONA), IBCLC, LCCE, FACCE, was presented the Lamaze International Award in recognition of her significant contribution to expanding the reach of Lamaze childbirth education around the world.
• Barbara Hughes, CNM, MS, MBA, FACNM, LCCE, FACCE, was presented the President’s Award in recognition of her commitment to expectant families by opening, developing and expanding three separate midwifery practices in the Denver metro area and giving thousands of women access to a midwifery model of care.

The awards were presented at the Lamaze International 2009 Annual Conference, where childbirth educators, advocates and supporters gather each year to promote a natural, healthy and safe approach to pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting. Lamaze International congratulates all of the award winners and nominees on their commitment to birthing mothers and their families.

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About Lamaze International Lamaze International promotes a natural, healthy and safe approach to pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting practices. Knowing that pregnancy and childbirth can be demanding on a woman’s body and mind, Lamaze serves as a resource for information about what to expect and what choices are available during the childbearing years. Lamaze education and practices are based on the best, most current medical evidence available. Working closely with their families, health care providers and Lamaze educators, millions of pregnant women have achieved their desired childbirth outcomes using Lamaze practices. Visit www.lamaze.org for more information.

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