LONGVIEW, TX – Good Shepherd Medical Center is pleased to announce that two of their registered nurses and a physician have been selected as 2012 March of Dimes award recipients. Honored are Jenna Lucas, RNC-OB, named the honoree for the State of Texas March of Dimes Excellence in Perinatal Nursing Award; Stephanie Capt, BSN, RNC-NIC, Clinical Director, NICU/Pediatrics/Lactation, selected for the Regional March of Dimes recipient for Excellence in Neonatal Nursing and Jack Graham, MD, Board Certified in Obstetrics and Maternal Fetal Medicine, selected as the recipient for the Regional Perinatal Physician Excellence honoree.

Award winners will be honored at a reception scheduled for Monday, November 19 at Good Shepherd Medical Center.

Lucas, Good Shepherd’s honoree for the State of Texas March of Dimes Excellence in Perinatal Nursing Award, is a Labor & Delivery RN and relief Charge Nurse who has experience and knowledge throughout the continuum of perinatal care. She is trained to work in areas which include Antepartum, Perinatology, Mother Baby, Neonatal Intermediate Care (NIMC) and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Lucas is also a Childbirth Educator; teaching parents vital information to help prepare them for childbirth and infant care after delivery. “Lucas’ vast experience is invaluable in her role at Good Shepherd,” said Christi Hawkins, Divisional Director Women’s and Children’s Services for Good Shepherd Medical Center. “With her comprehensive background, Lucas can offer support to the patient and their family in a variety of situations.”

Capt, selected for the Regional March of Dimes recipient for Excellence in Neonatal Nursing Award, is the Clinical Director for NICU/Pediatrics/Lactation. Capt has managed the NICU since its inception in 2004 and has played a large role in the development of NICU policies and procedures. “Stephanie is an intelligent, sincere, passionate nurse whose commitment to her job goes way beyond putting in hours,” said Hawkins. “Making sure that babies and their families receive the best quality care is Stephanie’s highest priority.” Capt is Good Shepherd’s fourth neonatal nurse award recipient.

Jack Graham, MD, Good Shepherd’s honoree for the Regional Perinatal Physician Excellence Award, is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Maternal Fetal Medicine. Dr. Graham exemplifies excellence in the areas of perinatal clinical practice, education, research and program development. With a primary practice in Dallas/Fort Worth, Dr. Graham has worked with healthcare providers in the East Texas area for the past twenty years. In June 2009, he was instrumental in opening Perinatal Services at Good Shepherd. Perinatology, also called Maternal Fetal Medicine, is the field of obstetrics devoted to managing high-risk pregnancies. “Dr. Graham’s commitment to providing perinatal services in Longview has made a monumental impact on perinatal outcomes in East Texas,” said Hawkins.

Previous Good Shepherd Medical Center March of Dimes award recipients include: Nicole Scaglione, RN, 2011 State Perinatal Nursing Award; Helen Sims, RN, 2011 Regional Neonatal Nursing Award; Tracy Leach, RN, 2010 State Neonatal Award; Frances Strodtbeck, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP), 2009 Regional Neonatal Award and Dr. Christopher Ihionkhan, 2009 Regional Neonatal Physician Award.