YSN Concludes Newborns in Need with NICU Gifts, Blood Pressure Cuffs

By India Education Diary Bureau Admin On Jun 30, 2022

Yale School of Nursing Alumni Association (YSNAA) recently concluded the Newborns in Need project by delivering baby books to the Yale New Haven Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and securing blood pressure cuffs for expectant parents.

Newborns in Need launched in 2017 and has been recognized as Yale’s largest Day of Service Project, attracting 75 volunteers to stuff 375 bags in 2019. Bags included onesies, wipes, diapers, blankets, body wash, board books, and handwritten notes of encouragement for new parents. The scale and scope of collecting supplies, assembling the packages, and delivering to recipients presented a logistical challenge that was difficult to execute during COVID-19.

Outgoing YSNAA President Christa Hartch ’02 MSN said the pivot presented an opportunity to help the local community in a new way.

“YSNAA is excited to donate blood pressure cuffs to at-risk pregnant moms at the Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center Federally Qualified Health Center this year, using funds that were collected over the past two years. I like to call it a ‘Culmination of Newborns in Need During the Covid-19 Pandemic,’ and I believe these blood pressure cuffs will make an impact on maternal and newborn health.”

Hartch praised Newborns in Need committee members for their many contributions over the past two years, including former Outreach Chair Maria Banevicius ’92 MSN, Nancy Kraus ’78 MSN, and incoming YSNAA President Elyssa Noce ’17 MSN.

Hartch also saluted Interim Associate Dean of Student Life and Belonging and Director of the Midwifery Faculty Practice Erin Morelli ’02 MSN, CNM, CLC, RN, FACNM for connecting YSNAA with the blood pressure cuff recipients.

Noce is already looking ahead to YSNAA’s upcoming year: the new term begins July 1.

“We have a terrific group again this year, and we received such thoughtful feedback in our recent alumni survey. I know the board is excited to dig into those data and plan a slate of programming that engages and inspires our alumni across the country and around the world.”