LANDOVER — MedStar Health will host its third annual Community Baby Shower and Resource Fair on June 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex in Landover.
Every attending family will receive free diapers and wipes while supplies last and will be entered into drawings for items such as car seats, pack-n-plays, strollers and themed baskets. More than 40 community partners will provide information and connect families with local resources.
A new “Dad Den” offers a space for fathers to connect with each other and access health screenings including blood pressure and glucose checks, along with car seat safety inspections and fresh produce giveaways.
Charmaine Ivey, director of Population and Community Health at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, said the event is expanding to better serve families starting out in Prince George’s County. The resources address gaps in comprehensive care for pregnant women and their families, expanding access to prenatal care.
In Prince George’s County, the maternal mortality rate is 50 percent higher than the national average and 40 percent above the Maryland average. Hispanic mothers have the highest rate of pregnancy-related mortality in the county, and the county’s infant mortality rate remains higher than the state rate, with notably higher rates for Black infants.
Last year’s event launched the PG Healthy Start program, supported by a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration. The program expands access to comprehensive healthcare and education during pregnancy and for up to two years postpartum.
MedStar Health partners with Clinton Baptist Church to host the event, which was previously held on the church campus. Pastor Colin Pugh said the church is honored to support families, celebrate new life and help the community build a healthy future.
The fair is free and open to the public. Families in Southern Maryland, including those near MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center in Clinton, can benefit from the resources and connections offered.
