Maternal Health Innovation

Join Dietre Epps, CEO of RACE for Equity, as she engages with Maya Jackson, Courtnie Carter, and Megan McKenzie from the Lived Experience Advisory Group, known as The LEAGUE™. In this episode, the group discusses the critical role that community voices play in shaping maternal health policies. They share their journeys, challenges, and the importance of centering lived experiences in developing effective, empathetic strate...

In this episode, host Deitre Epps, CEO and Founder of RACE for Equity, is joined by maternal health advocates Megan McKenzie and Courtnie Carter to discuss the transformative role of Lived Experience Advisory Groups, known as The LEAGUE™, in advancing maternal health equity. Megan and Courtney share their personal journeys as members of The LEAGUE™, reflecting on how their lived experiences during COVID-19 and their advoca...

In this episode, Venus Standard is joined by Zay Bell, Founder and Executive Director of Zeal of Xander. Zeal of Xander is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving Black maternal health by educating the community on grieving when tragedy strikes during the maternal health journey, the importance of exercising their voices at medical institutions, and equipping people with the knowledge they need to receive the cultu...

Kelli Sheppard speaks with Tenesha Sellers, a dedicated lactation expert and Community Transformer Coordinator at ROSE (Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere). Tenesha shares her extensive experience in addressing the critical gaps in maternal health care for Black and Brown families. She discusses how ROSE's innovative programs, like the Community Transformers and Breastfriends, are not only increasing breastfeeding initiation ...

Emily Price, CEO of Healthy Birth Day, Inc., leads the national expansion of the evidence-based Count the Kicks public health campaign, which educates and empowers expectant parents to monitor their baby's movements during the third trimester. This campaign has already made a significant impact, reducing stillbirth rates in Iowa by nearly 32% in its first decade, with a 39% decrease among Black birthing people in the first...

In this episode, Kelli's joined by Victoria Pemberton, RNC, MS, CCRC, project scientist at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). They explore the critical link between heart health and maternal health, discussing high-risk populations, the impact of high blood pressure and stress, and steps for maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle before, during, and after pregnancy. Tune in to learn about the latest rese...

Join Dr. Ramona Olvera from Ohio State University and Dr. Holly Horan from the University of Alabama at Birmingham as they dive into community-engaged research, focusing on the Latinx population. Discover the transformative power of Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) and learn from experts Vanessa Caldari, a midwife and founder of the Perinatal Holistic Health Center in Puerto Rico, Hannah Mesa, a project manage...

Host Kelli Sheppard talks with Amy Green, a pioneering clinical social worker and entrepreneur specializing in maternal mental health. Amy, the founder and CEO of the Nashville Collaborative Counseling Center (NCCC) and Mamaya Health, shares her journey and professional insights into creating accessible mental health care for women. She discusses the origins of Mamaya Health, a virtual service supporting women throughout t...

In this episode, hosted by Dorothy Cilenti, Professor at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Dorothy is talking with Lindsey Yates and Natalie Hernandez, editors of the third edition of The Practical Playbook. This collaborative guide addresses maternal health disparities, focusing on BIPOC communities in the United States. Learn how to implement change and improve maternal health outcomes through multi-sector...

In this episode, host Andrea Serano, Interim Director at Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE), is talking with Milan Spencer, Associate Director of Workforce Development and Partnerships at the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA). BMMA serves as the national voice and coordinating entity for stakeholders advocating for Black maternal health rights and justice, addressing the crisis of Black maternal mortality in the U.S. 

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In this episode, Dr. Sarah Verbiest dives into a crucial conversation about disability and maternal health with Mallory Cyr, Program Manager of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs at the Association for Maternal and Child Health Programs. Join as they explore the broad spectrum of disability, discussing chronic illness, physical and sensory disabilities, and the need for a more inclusive approach in maternal ...

Join us in this empowering episode as Erin McClain, Assistant Director and Research Associate at the UNC Collaborative for Maternal and Infant Health, delves into a crucial conversation with Chauntel Norris, Co-director of the Alabama Prison Birth Project and Co-founder of Baobab Birth Collective. Discover the groundbreaking work of the Alabama Prison Birth Project, providing doula care and support to incarcerated birthing...

In this episode, host Dr. Alison Steube discusses the Motherhood Career Tax with Tina Sherman, Senior Campaign Director at MomsRising. Tina, a seasoned advocate, legislative aide, and certified birth doula, shares her wealth of experience in supporting and empowering mothers and families. Discover the multifaceted challenges faced by mothers, from discriminatory practices based on reproductive age to the complexities surro...

In this episode, join Kelli Sheppard, Communications Director at the Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center, as she explores the groundbreaking PM3 app. Developed in collaboration with Black women, PM3 aims to transform postpartum care and maternal health outcomes through mobile technology. Dr. Rasheeta Chandler and Sherilyn Francis share their journey in creating this dynamic digital resource, emphasizing communit...

In this episode, we delve into a crucial discussion with Larissa Mervin, Managing Attorney at Legal Aid of North Carolina's Charlotte office. Larissa shares her extensive experience in dealing with intimate partner violence (IPV) and its effects on maternal health. We explore the nuanced aspects of IPV, its definition, and the various forms it can take, from physical violence to emotional and financial control.

Larissa shed...

In this episode, we delve into the critical issue of maternal mental health and how technology is transforming perinatal care. We explore how Canopie, a digital company, is at the forefront of this revolution, offering a universal, low-cost solution for expectant and new parents. Anne Wanlund, the Co-Founder and CEO of Canopie, shares her inspiring journey and the inspiration behind founding the company. Join us as we disc...

In this episode, hosted by Vicki Curtis, Director of Women's Services at the University of South Alabama Children and Women's Hospital, we dive into the groundbreaking "I Gave Birth Bracelet Initiative" with Jessica Noble from East Carolina University Health. Discover how these bracelets are revolutionizing maternal health outcomes, ensuring effective and tailored care for postpartum mothers. Join us in this conversation a...

In this episode of the Maternal Health Innovation Podcast, host Kelli Sheppard is joined by Maya Hardigan, the founder of Mae, an innovative app designed to support black women during their pregnancy journey. Mae is on a mission to reduce maternal health disparities, particularly among Black women in the United States. They discuss the challenges faced by Black women during pregnancy and childbirth, emphasizing the importa...

In this episode of the Maternal Health Innovation Podcast, hosts Alison Stuebe and Kimberly D. Harper are exploring the groundbreaking work of the BELIEVE Project. Joined by Kimberly C. Harper and Janiya Williams, they delve into how the project is revolutionizing maternal care in the United States. Discover how the BELIEVE Project's innovative escape room approach, cultural sensitivity, and diverse perspectives are bridgi...