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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Oct. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Paul E. Jarris, MD, MBA, a nationally known expert in national healthcare policy, clinical quality initiatives, disease prevention and wellness, among other areas, has been named Senior Vice President, Maternal and Child Health Program Impact and Deputy Medical Officer at the March of Dimes, effective January 25, 2016.

Dr. Jarris, currently Executive Director of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), will lead a new department at the March of Dimes called Maternal and Child Health Program Impact, and will have overall responsibility for the March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign, which seeks to reduce the rate of preterm birth, the number one cause of death among babies in the United States.

"As a thought leader on public health with a particular interest in children's health, Dr. Jarris will advance the March of Dimes mission and continue our lifesaving work to prevent premature birth," said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes.  "He has been a champion for high quality programs and policies that effect real change to improve the health of moms and babies." 

"I am excited to be joining the March of Dimes, an organization that has had as great an impact on public health as any organization in this country and around the world," says Dr. Jarris. "Some of my most gratifying work at ASTHO were the partnerships we were able to build between state health agencies and the March of Dimes, and I look forward to continuing this work. We have already made tremendous gains, and now is the time to seize that momentum and ensure that all moms and babies have the best chance possible for a healthy start to life."

Dr. Jarris has a distinguished career spanning 20 years leading policy and care initiatives to improve public health at the local, state and national levels. One of his many achievements at ASTHO was partnering with the March of Dimes to challenge all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to lower their preterm birth rates.

Prior to his role at ASTHO, Dr. Jarris served as Commissioner of Health for the State of Vermont, where he led healthcare policy matters and championed new public health initiatives, addressing access to care, prevention, and the factors that impact population health.  In addition, he has held a number of health insurance executive-level positions, including President and CEO of Vermont Permanente Medical Group. Throughout his career, Dr. Jarris has received numerous prestigious award and honors, and has served as a member of many health-related boards and committees.

Dr. Jarris received his BA from the University of Vermont, his MD at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and an MBA from the University of Washington.

The March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health.  For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs.  For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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SOURCE March of Dimes