MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Steve Mariucci Family Beacon has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Michigan Endowment Fund as part of their Maternal & Infant Health Initiative. Beacon house will use the funds to create a UP-wide information network to support families with prematurely born babies delivered at UP Health System Marquette, as well as expectant mothers needing to stay close to the hospital prior to delivery. Beacon House CEO, Mary Tavernini-Dowling says this grant will allow them to continue their long tradition of caring for the families of children who are patients in the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit.
“We just thought this is a really neat opportunity for us to get some funds so that we can dedicate some of our people to reaching out to all those medical professionals in all those hospitals and clinics, and make sure that they’re aware of what we do and how we can support people before it happens.” Said Tavernini-Dowling. “So that’s another part of that stress, that worry that we would like to take away from people.”
Since UP Health System Marquette is the only NICU facility in the UP, having a supportive environment and a cost free, comfortable place to stay close to the hospital is very important to the well being of the babies and their families.
