PEDIATRIC DEPT. CHAIR TAPPED TO LEAD
LOCAL 'SUCCESS BY 6' INITIATIVE

BRIDGEPORT, CT - (January 23, 2004) This morning at a Fairfield University economic development forum, Merle Berke-Schlessel, Esq., President and Chief Professional Officer of United Way of Eastern Fairfield County announced the agency's launch of the nationally-known 'Success By 6' initiative. She concurrently introduced the initiative's newly-appointed Chair, Dr. Thomas L. Kennedy. Dr. Kennedy also serves as Chair of Bridgeport Hospital's Dept. of Pediatrics.

According to Berke-Schlessel, 'Success By 6' is the largest network of public-private community partnerships, engaging policymakers and stakeholders at federal, state and local levels to work toward building a comprehensive national early childhood system. She said Dr. Kennedy's diverse background combining volunteer and community services with professional experiences in Connecticut, New York North Carolina and Pennsylvania, make him a perfect match for establishing the local 'Success By 6' initiative.

"Dr. Kennedy has such an impressive background in metropolitan-area pediatrics, we are very fortunate that he brings it all to the table in accepting the challenge of chairing, and guiding our 'Success By 6' launch," said Berke-Schlessel. "I believe Dr. Kennedy has seen the impact of virtually every early childhood issue one could imagine, and as a result, will be equipped to address many of the issues that may prevent our young people here in the Bridgeport from enjoying the healthiest, happiest and most vital foundation period of their lives."

Upon being approached to lead 'Success By 6,' Dr. Kennedy researched the program and was impressed with its history of affecting positive trends in early childhood development in both the United States and Canada.

"Success By 6 has a record of effectiveness in more than 300 communities going back well over a decade," Dr. Kennedy said. "We are eager to develop and institute the program to benefit young children in Eastern Fairfield County by coordinating and expanding existing resources and assets for our children."

Dr. Kennedy's background includes education at Princeton and Cornell Universities, and more than five years of training in the pediatric department at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. He also served as Staff Pediatrician during military service at Camp Lejeune, NC. Besides his current duties at Bridgeport Hospital, Dr. Kennedy is a professor of Clinical Pediatrics specializing in Nephrology at Yale University's School of Medicine, and holds an associate professor post at UCONN Health Center in Farmington (CT).

His background as a researcher extends back to 1980, and he is published in nearly 100 different medical sources, journals, texts and papers. Dr. Kennedy's community service includes Chairing the Town of Fairfield's Board of Health, work with the Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition, and on the Executive Committee of Bridgeport's Birth to School Task Force.

Following his introduction in the closing session of a two-part forum on "Economic Development through Early Childhood Investment," Dr. Kennedy re-enforced his commitment to the children of the region, and the 'Success By 6' initiative.

"This United Way program will help assure that each child will be prepared to achieve success at school entry," Kennedy said.

United Way focuses on what matters, and builds stronger communities by supporting nearly 80 health and human service programs that helped more than 180,000 people last year. United Way funded programs impact a range of critical services in its six town service area including Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford, and Trumbull. A complete list of local United Way partners and initiatives, and a link to United Way's Virtual Volunteer Center can be found on the website, www.thewaytocare.org.