Republican Rock Star Named Public Relations Chairman for March of Dimes – Palm Beach Division

Jamie Lober is ambitious, warmhearted, loyal, family-oriented and one of the most reputable voices in wellness today.  As a nationally-known rock star in the Republican Party, Lober is not replacing her guitar strings for cancer awareness but rather adding another tune to her repertoire.  She has found a new application for her lifelong passion for women’s health and is putting her time, talent and expertise toward helping moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies.  “I am interested in the problems that threaten our babies and am glad to have a stake in preventing them,” said Lober.  Lober tells that doing an effective job as the Public Relations Chairman for the March of Dimes – Palm Beach Division will take effort, engaging new media outlets and informing women of childbearing age about relevant health issues.  “Most of all I want to get out there and be a public face for this cause and I am excited to introduce our initiatives into the Hispanic community since Spanish language and culture hold a special part of my background,” said Lober.  

With over a decade of experience as a solid advocate, Lober is adding some new issues to her plate.  “I want to talk about public policies and programs related to our mission like improving the health of babies and kids by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality,” said Lober.  She tells that the March of Dimes is striving to eliminate or at least reduce ethnic health disparities and that one way they want to do that is by making sure that all women, infants and kids have access to healthcare.  “While it is not my personal political agenda, the March of Dimes wants to adopt federal and state policies to improve access to services under private insurance and publicly supported programs like the Child Health Insurance Program,” said Lober.  Lober reinforces that the organization has government affairs issues and advocacy priorities but health and safety will remain her focal points as Public Relations Chairman.  “I want to see that we have strong standards to protect patient privacy, initiatives to improve the wellbeing of those living with birth defects or health problems stemming from preterm birth and most of all that we reduce elective deliveries before 39 weeks,” said Lober.  

Lober’s lifelong involvement in women’s health promotion shines bright like a diamond when she speaks of the role of prevention and treatment to improve maternal, infant and pediatric health.  “The first point I want to make is that smoking, substance abuse and alcohol prevention and cessation initiatives greatly affect women of childbearing age,” said Lober.  She encourages people to talk to their gynecologist and participate in community health education opportunities as often as possible.  “People need to be aware of the importance of preconception care and folic acid; everyone needs to get immunized; doctors need to promote initiatives to improve prematurity risk detection and safe pregnancy; and we must expand newborn screening and treat any disorders identified as a result,” said Lober.  She is unwilling to switch gears before adding a final plug for the importance of lifestyle choices.  “People should be conscientious of nutrition and try to reduce exposure to reproductive and environmental hazards associated with adverse outcomes in pregnancy,” said Lober.  

When it comes to achieving positive health outcomes, Lober feels that being equipped with knowledge is the best weapon.  “I have led the discussion on sexuality, periods, preventing sexually transmitted diseases, reducing risk of cancer, depression, osteoporosis, healthy pregnancy, making the most of your healthcare visit and HIV/AIDS for years,” said Lober.  When asked to pinpoint one issue related to the March of Dimes that affects South Floridians, Lober is quick to name alcohol and women.  “Alcohol abuse can cause family, relationship and work problems, arrests, medical issues and physical, behavioral, mental or learning disabilities in your baby,” said Lober.  Emphatically stating that there is no safe amount to drink during pregnancy, Lober elaborates that whether you want to call it alcohol dependence or not, alcoholism is a disease.  “If you have built up tolerance; experience withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, shaking or nausea after you have stopped drinking; want to cut down or control drinking; have given up social or work activities because of drinking or continue to drink even though you know you have a problem, seek help,” said Lober.  Naming your doctor as the first go-to person, Lober tells that medication, counseling or group therapy can be helpful in getting the habit under control.

The March of Dimes encourages healthy, supportive relationships and finds a clear role for a partner in protecting maternal and infant health.  “There is so much dads to be can do and they should definitely be involved,” said Lober.  Questioned about her observations of the role females play in relationships, Lober laughs.  “I feel women have come to realize that they cannot make men love them so many opt to just stalk and hope for the best,” said Lober.  As far as advice to women, Lober keeps things brief.  “It is hard to advise anybody until you have walked a mile in their shoes but in most cases, I would say that if someone is dumb enough to walk away, be wise enough to let them go,” said Lober.  In her own life, Lober says that relationships are about quality over quantity and that she feels blessed to have formed a handful of bonds that she believes will last a lifetime.  “To me doing well in life is about having strong convictions and standing by them and never compromising yourself and I have been appreciated and personally commended for doing both by Michele Bachmann and my ex-boyfriend to name two,” said Lober.  

While she is unafraid, forward and does a beyond ample job at communicating about the March of Dimes cause, Lober is always open to touching upon her short but detailed history that involves lengthy involvement in Latino affairs and a run for mayor at twenty-one.  She drives home the point that her small family and best friends are “her life.”  Describing her past as well-rounded and original, Lober states that while she has not been in South Florida very long that she feels that she has landed her feet here for a reason.  “I have tried to take advantage of all that South Florida has to offer and it has been an ongoing learning experience,” said Lober.  She names seeing her favorite music artists perform and community involvement as her favorite aspects of being here.  She has taken a lot of personal and professional risks which she says help define who she is.  “I always put my health and safety first but sometimes it is satisfying to put yourself out there; be daring; if you do not like the road you are walking on, lay down some new pavement or find a new one; and just know that not everything is meant to be but everything is worth a try,” said Lober.  Lober comes across as positive, motivated and energized for the cause but seems to have a good idea of what experiences may have brought her to this point.  “Everyone has gone through some things that have changed them and I am honored to be able to be a voice for the March of Dimes,” said Lober.