Robbins is a Chapel Hill real estate agent and the mother of four grown children. She became passionate about increasing public awareness for premature births after her twin granddaughters, Catherine and Elizabeth, died in September, 2007.

"Losing a child is the worst loss," says Robbins. "Losing the girls at 25 weeks was so painful. If I can help reduce premature infant deaths, that's what I hope to do."

North Carolina has the fifth worst infant mortality rate in the nation. Premature births are the number one cause of infant deaths for children under one year of age. Those that survive often suffer from serious physical and mental challenges. Robbins believes the issue needs more attention.

This isn't the first time that Robbins has been motivated by personal tragedy. After watching her daughter Jennifer nearly die from anorexia nervosa, she launched a successful $1 million fundraising effort to recruit an eating disorders specialist to North Carolina. In 2003, the N.C. Neurosciences Hospital on the campus of UNC Chapel Hill opened the first comprehensive eating disorders program of its kind in the Southeast.

"We are delighted to have Rita join our board," says Janice Freedman, executive director for the North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation. "Her passion and her family's personal experience provide a valuable perspective that supports our agency's commitment to improve the health of women and infants across North Carolina."