VCU To Host Conference On Prematurity Awareness

By Malorie Burkett

The Virginia Commonwealth University's Family Support and Research Center and the March of Dimes Virginia chapter will present the 2006 Prematurity Initiative Conference.

The event will take place Friday, Nov. 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the VCU Student Commons, Capital Ballroom, 907 Floyd Ave.

The conference is designed for health care professionals, researchers, graduate and medical students and families focusing on issues related to premature birth.

Gov. Timothy Kaine will provide opening remarks for participants while experts in the fields of nursing, psychology, pediatrics, genetics, psychiatry and biomedical ethics will offer various presentations on topics such as prematurity prevention; the neonatal intensive care unit experience; genetics and prematurity; maternal expectations and perceptions; health disparities and premature birth; and a premature infant's first year of life.

The cost for the conference is $30 for those seeking continuing education credits and $10 for students with a valid ID, or others not seeking continuing education credits. For more information, or to register, visit http://www.has.vcu.edu/psy/.