Key Takeaways
- March of Dimes hosted its annual Black Ties for Babies Gala in San Diego on October 15, bringing together community leaders and supporters to advance maternal and infant health.
- Healthcare innovator Joe Kiani, Founder and Chairman of the Patient Safety Movement Foundation, received the gala’s Community Impact Award for his contributions to healthcare innovation and patient safety.
- In 2024, 649 women in the U.S. died from maternal causes and more than 20,000 babies died before their first birthday, highlighting the ongoing need for March of Dimes’ work to improve maternal and infant health.
SAN DIEGO, Oct. 16, 2026 / — Community leaders and local supporters gathered at the March of Dimes Black Ties for Babies Gala in San Diego on October 15 to advance maternal and infant health and address inequities in care. Joe Kiani, Founder and Chairman of the Patient Safety Movement Foundation, received this year’s Community Impact Award in recognition of his contributions to healthcare innovation and patient safety, including technologies that help improve care for patients and newborns.
The U.S. is one of the worst developed nations for childbirth with two women dying every day from pregnancy-related causes and two babies dying every hour. Held during Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, Black Ties for Babies raises funds for research, care and family support to help improve outcomes for moms and babies in San Diego and beyond.
This year’s Community Impact Award honoree, Joe Kiani, is also the Founder and Executive Chairman of Willow Laboratories and holds more than 600 patents. He has spent his career championing innovation, patient safety and equitable access to care. He co-invented measure-through-motion pulse oximetry, technology used to monitor more than 200 million patients annually, including newborns. His innovation reduced false alarms in pulse oximetry by 95%, helped reduce blindness in premature babies, and aided clinicians in screening for congenital heart conditions in newborns. Through the Patient Safety Movement Foundation, he works to eliminate preventable hospital deaths.
Kiani’s commitment to newborn safety extends beyond the hospital. He supports families transitioning home, including providing them with the Nutu digital health app to help build healthy habits around food, activity, and sleep.
“Healthcare innovation isn’t just about technology. It’s about caring people,” says Kiani. “It’s about ensuring every patient feels seen, heard, and cared for, no matter where they are.”
Funds raised at Black Ties for Babies support March of Dimes research, education, advocacy and community programs spanning prenatal care through postpartum. To help support the mission, visit here.
About March of Dimes
March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, education, and advocacy, and provide programs and services so that every family can get the best possible start. Since 1938, we’ve built a successful legacy to support every pregnant person and every family. Visit marchofdimes.org for more information in multiple languages.
Media Contacts
Danielle Fox
Interdependence
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+1 360-509-9527
Jenney Page
March of Dimes
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SOURCE March of Dimes
