Michigan Nurse Receives Hill-Rom / Celeste Phillips Family-Centered Maternity Care Award 

NEWS RELEASE: June 30, 2009
CONTACT: Karen Addis, 202-296-2002

Washington, DC—The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) today presented the Hill-Rom/Celeste Phillips Family-Centered Maternity Care Research Award to Mary Ann Stark, PhD, RNC, for her current study titled, "Physiologic and Psychological Effects of Therapeutic Showering in Labor." The award was presented at the AWHONN national convention in San Diego, CA.

This award is named for Celeste R. Phillips, RN, EdD, an internationally recognized leader and expert in Family-Centered Maternity Care. Dr. Phillips is passionate about the philosophy that the childbearing process belongs with the family. She worked extensively to introduce the Single-Room Maternity Care Concept to hospitals and physicians throughout the US.

Dr. Phillips is a renowned figure in the maternity care community and continues to make great strides to improve care for women and their families.

Dr. Mary Ann Stark, the recipient of this award, is an Associate Professor in the Bronson School of Nursing at Western Michigan University and a nurse volunteer in the Pregnancy Care Clinic, also in Kalamazoo, MI. She has been widely published on the subject of normal birth, the use of hydrotherapy in labor, and more. Dr. Stark has previously served as a reviewer of the JOGNN.

"Dr. Stark's continued exploration of family-centered childbirth brings innovative care options to nurses and the families we serve," said AWHONN Executive Director Karen Peddicord, RNC, PhD. "We are grateful for Hill-Rom’s continued support in presenting this award to Dr. Stark."

Dr. Stark holds a BS and a MS in Nursing from the Capital University in Columbus, OH, and a MS and PhD in Philosophy from the University of Michigan.

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About AWHONN
The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) is the foremost nursing authority that advances the health care of women and newborns through advocacy, research and the creation of high quality, evidence-based standards of care.

AWHONN's 23,000 members worldwide are clinicians, educators and executives who serve as patient care advocates focusing on the needs of women and infants.

A leader in professional development, AWHONN holds the distinction of twice receiving the Premier Program award by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for innovation and excellence in Continuing Nursing Education (CNE).

In 2009, AWHONN celebrates its 40th anniversary of promoting the health of women and newborns. Founded in 1969 as the Nurses Association of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the association became a separate nonprofit organization called the Association of Women’s Health and Neonatal Nurses in 1993.

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