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Pictured is: Essence of Willingboro, who was born January 27, 2019. Image credit: Virtua
Marlton, NJ—For the fourth consecutive year, Virtua will participate in the American Heart Association’s “Little Hats, Big Hearts” initiative. All babies born at Virtua hospitals during February will receive a beautiful, handmade red hat, along with an information kit encouraging new moms to take charge of their family’s heart health.
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To make this year more special, well-known South Jersey photographer David Michael Howarth donated his time to capture heartwarming photos of red-hatted newborns in Virtua Memorial’s level II special care nursery.
Brayden of Browns Mills – Born February 1, 2019.
Image credit: Virtua
“This awareness campaign is a highlight of the year for our mother-baby staff,” said Lauren Ochs, Virtua assistant vice president of women’s and children’s services. “Now, with the addition of David and his artistic eye, we hope to bring even more attention to this important initiative.”
The American Heart Association designated February as Heart Month and February 7 to 14 as Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Week. Congenital heart defects are structural problems within the heart present at birth.
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The “Little Hats, Big Hearts” program started in Chicago in 2014 and has since expanded to 40-plus states.More than 6,700 hats and kits were distributed to New Jersey hospitals this year—almost double the amount in 2018.
Muhsin of Willingboro – Born February 4, 2019.
Image credit: Virtua
For more information about the “Little Hats, Big Hearts,” visit heart.org/littlehatsbighearts.
About Virtua:
Virtua is South Jersey’s largest health system, committed to the mission of helping people be well, get well, and stay well and averaging more than one million patient encounters each year.
Virtua’s 9,000-plus employees provide comprehensive care at three hospitals and nearly 200 other locations, in addition to bringing health services directly into communities through home health, rehabilitation, mobile screenings, and its paramedic program.
Virtua has 1,000 affiliated doctors and other clinicians, and its specialties include orthopedics, advanced surgery, and maternity. Virtua is affiliated with Penn Medicine for cancer and neuroscience, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for pediatrics.
As a not-for-profit, Virtua is committed to the well-being of the community and provides innovative outreach programs that address social challenges affecting health, from addiction and other behavioral issues to lack of nutritious food and stable housing.
A Magnet-recognized health system ranked by U.S. News and World Report, Virtua has received many awards for quality, safety, and its outstanding work environment. For more information, visit virtua.org.
To help Virtua make a difference, visit foundation.virtua.org.