March of Dimes Honors CHS Professor for Leadership in Health CareArden Handler, DrPH, professor of community health sciences at the UIC School of Public Health, was honored by the March of Dimes for her contributions to the field of maternal and child health. Handler accepted the award at the 11th Annual Jonas Salk Leadership Awards luncheon held at the Galleria Marchetti in Chicago on September 24.
Each year, the March of Dimes recognizes a distinguished group of leaders and researchers who’ve made significant contributions to improving maternal and child health (MCH) in the areas of nursing, medicine, research and public and community health. Honorees are nominated by their peers and chosen from a committee of past honorees and community leaders.
Handler’s expansive research career reflects her long-standing commitment to improving the health of women, children and families, specifically in exploring factors that increase the risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, and examining how the health care delivery system, particularly prenatal care, can ameliorate these risks.
Currently, she is engaged in evaluation research of prenatal care with a number of projects on the West and South sides of Chicago. “I view my commitment to reducing disparities in adverse pregnancy outcomes as part of the larger struggle for social change,” Handler said. “When we demand adequate and universal prenatal care for all women, we are fighting for social and economic justice. When we make the claim that the racial and ethnic disparities in infant mortality rates in Chicago represent a crisis, we are demanding a response that it is taken as seriously as the mortgage or financial crisis.”
Dora Garcia and Barbara Huyler have worked with Handler on a substance abuse program for pregnant women in the Humboldt Park area of Chicago. In a congratulatory statement, they wrote, “Because of your devoted and thoughtful work, many women were able to address their substance abuse issues and learn to be better parents to their drug-exposed babies. As a result, babies were immunized, moms got prenatal care, providers were educated and better health and parenting outcomes were achieved. What an honor to call you a friend and to witness, through the years, your noble and compassionate commitment to the well-being of women and children.”
Handler is also an active member of the MCH community, serving on several local, state and national committees, and is a founding and current board member of the Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition, a group that works in partnership with nearly 100 other organizations on advocacy and policy development in the MCH field.
In her role as professor, she is the principal investigator and co-director of the MCH Program and the MCH Doctoral Epidemiology Training grant.
Paul Brandt-Rauf, Dean of the School of Public Health, said Handler’s desire and commitment to effect social change and improve lives represents the essence of a strong public health leader. “Dr. Handler’s passion for excellence and devotion to maternal and child health provide an inspirational role model for all who are dedicated to improving the health of the public,” he said.
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