Schneck Medical Center is proud to announce that Chris Hughes, RNC-OB, BSN, CPSTI, has received the Child Safety Advocate Award from Indiana University School of Medicine–Automotive Safety Program for outstanding dedication in forwarding the issues of child safety.
 
Hughes, a registered nurse in the birthing unit, has been a Child Passenger Safety Technician at Schneck for 12 years and an instructor for 10 years. She developed child passenger safety policies at the hospital, including a policy on car seat evaluation for premature and other high risk infants. She teaches child passenger safety in Schneck’s Better Beginnings class for new and soon-to-be parents.
 
Her passion for child safety reaches beyond Schneck Medical Center and into the community where she holds car seat clinics throughout the year. “I want to make a difference in the lives of families, to help keep our little ones safe,” said Hughes. “Research shows that about 30 percent of children ride unrestrained and more than 90 percent of car seats are used incorrectly in some way.”
 
Hughes is a member of the Indiana Hospital Child Passenger Safety Committee which provides child passenger safety education, advocacy, support and mentoring to hospitals throughout Indiana.
 
She is also developing a local Safe Kids Coalition, a national program that takes action to provide proven and practical ways to keep kids safe. Safe Kids Coalitions host safety events, conduct workshops, advocate for effective legislation, and distribute safety devises such as car seats, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, helmets, and personal floatation devises.
 
Sponsored by Safe Kids Indiana and the Automotive Safety Program since 1997, this award recognizes organizations and individuals who demonstrate extraordinary efforts in preventing injury and death among children in Indiana. Winners of the award are judged on their community involvement, injury prevention activities, advocacy, merit and leadership.
 
Schneck holds Car Seat Safety Checks every Wednesday, 2:00 to 4:30 p.m., by appointment. For more information, call 812-522-0435.