2007 Purpose Prize Winner: Sharon Rohrbach

Sharon Rohrbach is one of the winners of the 2007 Purpose Prize put on by Civic Ventures.

After 16 years as a neo-natal nurse in St. Louis watching too many newborns leave the hospital, then return with life-threatening medical conditions, Sharon Rohrbach knew it was time to take action. In 1992, she founded the Nurses for Newborns Foundation to bring experienced nurses into the homes of mothers whose socio-economic, personal or health status put their infants at high risk.

It's a low-cost, high-impact way to reduce infant mortality, prevent child abuse and neglect, strengthen families, and reduce costs to society. Nurses administer skilled care and provide parenting education, injury prevention strategies and emotional support, along with basic supplies - food, blankets, diapers, clothing, and personal care items. Nurses are available to families 24/7 for two years.

The results speak to the power of the program: significant improvements in child and parent health outcomes, no reported cases of abuse or neglect, fewer injuries, fewer repeat pregnancies and higher infant immunization rates. Over the past three years, Nurses for Newborns Foundation has operated in 29 Missouri counties, plus another 30 in Tennessee. In 2006, the organization received more than 5,300 referrals.

Learn more about Sharon here: www.purposeprize.org/finalists/finalists2007/rohrbach.cfm

Visit her website: www.nfnf.org