(Photo: Ryan Mercer, UVM Health Network)

(JANUARY 17, 2025) Neonatologist and Larner Associate Professor of Pediatrics Deirdre O’Reilly, M.D., M.P.H., was quoted in a Burlington Free Press article about Vermont’s “A” grade for maternal and infant health on the 2024 March of Dimes Report Card.

Vermont is the only state in the nation to receive an “A” grade for maternal and infant health on the 2024 March of Dimes Report Card, according to a news release. The March of Dimes report evaluates maternal and infant health in all 50 states, using such key indicators as preterm birth rates, access to prenatal care, and the availability of resources for maternal and infant health.

Vermont’s grade of A reflects the state’s efforts to reduce disparities and ensure all birthing parents and babies receive the care they need for a healthy start, according to the March of Dimes.

“Clinicians in the Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine participate in outreach and skills trainings on site at all birthing hospitals in the state, teaching the newest methods for neonatal resuscitation and stabilization to improve outcomes,” O’Reilly said in a statement.

The March of Dimes report notes one of the most impressive aspects of Vermont’s success is its ability to achieve these outcomes despite having a large rural population. The Vermont Child Health Improvement Program and UVM Health Network work together to ensure that all patients, regardless of where they are, can access the best possible care, using a referral network, the report stated.