The Wal-Mart Foundation generously gave a $50,000 grant to purchase hearing screening equipment for the Maternal Infant and Neonatal Intensive Care Units to more effectively screen the hearing of the nearly 3,000 babies born each year at NMC. According to Judy Lavoie, NMC’s Director of Women’s and Children’s Services, “Early detection of hearing problems and immediate intervention helps children develop language skills and get ready to be successful in school and life.” Wal-Mart Human Resources Manager, Jean Kindberg, and local store managers, Leonard Medina and Gilbert Mendez, on behalf of the Wal-Mart Foundation, visited NMC in March 2011 and presented the check to the Natividad Medical Foundation.