Santoro, McManaman honored for research by March of Dimes

Nanette Santoro and James McManaman, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the CU School of Medicine, recently accepted an award from the March of Dimes honoring the University of Colorado for Excellence in Research. The award, recognizing research in birth defects and premature birth, was presented during a ceremony at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

Since 2000, March of Dimes has awarded $4.3 million in Colorado research grants. Twenty-three of the 38 awards have come to the University of Colorado, totaling $3.2 million. Among the research projects funded are: developing treatment to prevent or halt preterm labor and prevent premature birth; developing drugs to prevent or treat preeclampsia, which effects up to 8 percent of pregnancies and accounts for 15 percent of preterm deliveries; understanding the causes of birth defects such as spina bifida and cleft palate and understanding the origin and development of various birth defects as a means of preventing or correcting them.

The University of Colorado Hospital, Children’s Hospital Colorado and the March of Dimes have worked together for years to ensure babies have a healthy start. That partnership continues this year as the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus joins with its partner hospitals to become joint-presenting sponsors for the March for Babies walk April 27 in Denver’s City Park.

Thanks to the caring employees who work on behalf of babies on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus and grateful patients and families, more than $150,000 was raised last year.