Because of the generosity of foundation donors, the Ingalls Development Foundation is able to fund the entire Healthy Baby Network Program. We connect expecting women in Chicago Southland to resources that assist in a healthy pregnancy, delivery, and baby.
Our 6th Annual Drive-Thru Baby Shower was a fantastic success! Thank you to our hard-working staff that made this event possible and to all the families who joined us. More than 200 cars with expecting moms wrapped around the UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial campus, all ready to celebrate their incoming bundles of joy. On Saturday, September 13 families received:
Thank you again for joining us as we work to support healthy beginnings for babies and families in our community!
“I would like once again and in a formal way say thank you to this program and to all the people who’s part of it. I am one of the many expectant mothers you blessed this Saturday in the baby shower at Ingalls Hospital. I thank you isn’t enough, but thanks!!!
Praise be our Lord Jesus because I know He wanted to bless me with the car seat and the stroller for my little baby and you were that blessing channel. God bless you and this beautiful project so you can bless much more family in need.
Sincerely,
YC”
In 2024 and 2025, a total of 32 educational classes were held, reaching more than 133 couples and over 500 individuals in person throughout the Chicagoland Southland area.
Over 596 Safe Sleep Sacs were distributed to newborns delivered at the hospital.
57 patients enrolled in the Healthy Baby Network program
41 babies delivered through the program
38 full-term births
33 patients presented at Ingalls with no prior prenatal care and were connected to prenatal services within 24 hours
Shanice Williams and the Labor & Delivery Team were honored by the Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative (ILPQC) for their role in advancing health equity. Their work with the Healthy Baby Network was recognized with both the Birth Equity Award and the Equitable Safe Sleep Initiative Award, celebrating their contributions to reducing disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes.
Shanice Williams, MPH, CLC, OB Program Manager, shares the great work being done at Ingalls with Cook County commissioners. County Commissioner Monica Gordon asked her to speak Raising Awareness Regarding Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths in Illinois. Williams said:
“The Drive-Thru Baby Shower is a beautiful event that happens every single year. We’re very happy to be here participating, helping underserved communities in Harvey and other neighborhoods. Each gift bag helps that baby start their life.”
SHANICE WILLIAMS, INGALLS COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR
The Healthy Baby Network is a community out-reach program that includes a unique network of local healthcare providers, retailers, government agencies, schools and community organizations that work together to coordinate prenatal care, education and social services for pregnant women.
The Healthy Baby Network is located inside of UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial on Labor and Delivery in Harvey, IL.
Annual events include Babypalooza and a Drive-Thru Baby Shower for expectant mothers. Healthy Baby Network also provides Classes on breastfeeding, child birth preparation, and infant care.
The need for increased access to prenatal care for poor and low income pregnant women is dire given the recent closures of four labor and delivery units in Chicagoland, including South Suburban Hospital in nearby Hazel Crest. UCM Ingalls and its unique Healthy Baby Network stand alone in providing labor and delivery and outreach services in a 15-mile radius. Patients experience a one-on-one meeting where needs are defined and patients are immediately connected to services.
The Ingalls Development Foundation is grateful to The Coleman Foundation for its generous support of $50,000 per year for the Healthy Baby Network Program.
