(NASHVILLE) – Representative Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) has been honored by Saving Little Hearts with an Excellence Award for Community Service. The award was given out at the 6th Annual Saving Little Hearts Gala which was held March 1 in Knoxville. Overbey championed legislation before the Tennessee General Assembly in 2007 that established a pilot program for pulse oximetry testing of newborn infants. This legislation promotes a 30-second, non-invasive test that helps ensure a newborn’s heart is functioning properly.

“I am honored to receive this award of excellence.” Overbey said. “Saving Little Hearts is an outstanding organization- I can’t say enough about the outstanding work it has accomplished not only in Tennessee but throughout the United States.”

Additionally, Representative Overbey was himself born with a heart defect, tetralogy of Fallot, which required him to undergo numerous surgical procedures as a child. This childhood experience is one of the reasons for his support of last year’s legislation. “My goal in sponsoring the pulse oximetry testing bill was simple: to save other parents from the ordeal my own parents faced and make sure babies with congenital heart defects receive prompt and appropriate care,” stated Representative Overbey.

Saving Little Hearts is a national service organization based in Knoxville, TN. The organization offers services to families through the United States who have children diagnosed with congenital heart defects. For more information regarding Saving Little Hearts, visit www.savinglittlehearts .org.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 4th, 2008 at 1:44 pm and is filed under In The News.
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