Helping small children get the best start possible, UCHealth receives grant for educational series

NEWS RELEASE
LONGS PEAK HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
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LONGMONT – With support from The Braly Family Foundation, UCHealth will be producing an educational series of videos and other resources for pregnant women and parents of babies and toddlers.   

This week, the Longmont-based family foundation officially awarded a $75,000 grant to the UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital Foundation. It is the largest grant the organization has awarded.   

“Parent education is important because parenting, for many, is the most important and challenging job faced in life,” said Ashley Kasprzak, the development manager of the LPH Foundation. “All parents can benefit from these resources by learning tips and new strategies in relating to their children and gaining a greater enjoyment in being with them.”   

Dr. Mark Schane, a pediatrician and chief medical officer at the hospital, and Dr. Amy Johnson, an obstetrician/gynecologist, will serve as the lead content experts for the project, which is expected to include approximately 40 short videos and written resources. Topics likely will range from pregnancy by month and feeding you baby to language development and nutrition for toddlers.  


“The Braly Family Foundation’s ultimate focus is to improve our community by supporting educational programs that strengthen youth to reach their highest potential,” said Toni Pickett, board chair of the foundation. “With so much content on the internet, parents aren’t always sure what is legitimate and what’s not. We are excited to see a program like this featuring insights from trusted physicians in our own community specifically aimed at helping parents and their young ones get the best start possible.”  


Former Longmont resident Henry Braly (1938-2020) established The Braly Family Foundation in 2006 in honor of his parents, and it continues today in honor of Henry as well.    

As recognition for The Braly Family Foundation’s generous investment, the special care nursery at Longs Peak Hospital will be named after the Braly Family. When an infant is in need of more medical support, the infant is cared for in the special care nursery and receives 24-hour pediatric care from the support team. The special care nursery has been designed to care for babies born at 34-weeks gestation or later. It is part of the hospital’s birth center, where nearly 700 babies were delivered last year.    

“The Braly Family Foundation is going to help us help thousands of parents and their children with valuable information to be the best parents they can be,” Kasprzak said. “We are so grateful for their support.” 

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