11:58am | The St. Mary Medical Center “Life Begins Here” Childbirth Services Program was among the 2011 honorees at the Long Beach Branch NAACP 32nd Founders Celebration Dinner & Awards Presentation on Saturday, October 15, 2011. The event was held at the Westin Long Beach.
 
The St. Mary Medical Center Life Begins Here Childbirth Services Program received the Non-Profit Corporation Award. Accepting the award on behalf of St. Mary Medical Center was Senior Director of Strategic and Physician Development Eleanor Cochran. “We are honored to be recognized by our community. We are proud of our team members who are dedicated to providing excellent care to mothers and their babies.”
 
Cochran is the director for Life Begins Here and staff members include Stephanie Quezada, Luz Parra, and Lidia Jaimes. This team conducts the Childbirth Preparation Classes and maternity ward tours at St. Mary Medical Center, and also goes out into the community to provide education and support. “Our goal is to provide women with the confidence and knowledge they need for a safe delivery and journey,” said Cochran.
 
Life Begins Here is part of St. Mary Medical Center’s Maternal & Child Health Program, which includes a Level 2.5 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, a Labor and Delivery Birthing Center, a Pediatric Unit, and a state-certified Perinatal Diagnostic Center.