Porter Hospital CEO named Honoree for the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction

Porter-Sale-to-VU-1Signature Chefs Honoree as part of annual event that showcases fine food prepared by some of regions finest chefs.

The March of Dimes announced that Mr. Jonathan Nalli, CEO of Porter Hospital will be honored at the 10th annual Signature Chefs Auction being held on Monday, October 17th at the Avalon Manor in Merrillville.

We are thankful for the opportunity to honor Mr. Nalli," said Matt Valuckis, March of Dimes Division Board Chair. "Ever since he arrived in the region, he has been a critical leader in the community and has been a great supporter of the March of Dimes mission. We are very proud to have such a strong partner that truly cares about the lives of infants and children in the region. Mr. Nalli is a great example of community leadership and dedication to children and family."

What better way to enjoy a wonderful meal than by supporting the March of Dimes mission and working together for stronger, healthier babies, right here in our own community,” said Nalli. “I am proud of the partnership Porter has had with the March of Dimes over the years. By working with the March of Dimes, we’ve been able to deliver exceptional care to help moms have healthy pregnancies.

This event is a triumph for mothers and babies across Indiana,” says Victor Garcia, Division Director for the March of Dimes. “1 in 8 babies is born prematurely in Indiana each year, that’s more than 11,000 each year. Most of these babies have to struggle to survive the first hours, days and weeks of life. It is a struggle many lose. Others have to live with the consequences of premature birth like cerebral palsy, blindness, and respiratory problems and developmental delays. The March of Dimes is focusing on this infant health crisis. The funds raised from this event will be used to fund March of Dimes research and community programs aimed at fighting premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality.”

Tickets and sponsorships for the event are available now. Each table seats 10 people. For more information about the event and to reserve your space please contact Victor Garcia at the Northwest Indiana Division office of the March of Dimes at 219-736-0023 or by email at vgarcia@marchofdimes.com.

For more information about birth defects, prematurity and infant mortality and what you can do to prevent them visit the March of Dimes Pregnancy and Newborn Health Education Center at www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec. It is a free community service of the March of Dimes where women and families can get expert, caring advice about risks to the health of an expected baby and how to care for a newborn.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com/Indiana or its Spanish language Web site at nacersano.org.