Maternal Health Innovation

Language matters. Body language matters. Accessibility matters. Inclusivity and equity should be at the heart of all maternal healthcare touchpoints. In this episode, Fernanda Ochoa Toro, research coordinator at UNC Chapel Hill and a patient navigator for Spanish speaking patients at UNC Health sits down with Dr. Kristin Tully, research assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and part of the UNC Collaborative for Maternal and Infant Health team to discuss Latina maternal health.

Learn more about us, explore our resource center and find support for all maternal health professionals at MaternalHealthLearning.org.

Maternal Health Innovation is a product of the Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center and is produced by Earfluence.

Music provided by Graham Makes.

MHLIC collaborates with many organizations and people for content such as the podcasts, videos, and webinar series. The statements , information, and opinions shared may not reflect MHLIC and MHLIC partners. Our team strives to hold ourselves and invited experts accountable, and will address violations to our values and overall mission. Read our full disclaimer here.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U7CMC33636 State Maternal Health Innovation Support and Implementation Program Cooperative Agreement. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.

While several states are in the process of implementing Medicaid coverage for doula services, only a handful of states are actively providing that coverage. In this episode, host Deitre Epps, founder and CEO of Race for Equity, is joined by Averjill Rookwood, founder of The Corporate Doula, and Amy Chen, senior attorney at the National Health Law Program, to discuss the importance of accessible doula coverage and the National Health Law Program’s Doula Medicaid Project.

The information in this podcast about states currently implementing Medicaid coverage for doula care is accurate as of September 2022 when the podcast was recorded. For the most current updates, please see the Doula Medicaid Project webpage at https://healthlaw.org/doulamedicaidproject/

Learn more about us, explore our resource center and find support for all maternal health professionals at MaternalHealthLearning.org.

Maternal Health Innovation is a product of the Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center and is produced by Earfluence.

Music provided by Graham Makes.

MHLIC collaborates with many organizations and people for content such as the podcasts, videos, and webinar series. The statements , information, and opinions shared may not reflect MHLIC and MHLIC partners. Our team strives to hold ourselves and invited experts accountable, and will address violations to our values and overall mission. Read our full disclaimer here.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U7CMC33636 State Maternal Health Innovation Support and Implementation Program Cooperative Agreement. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Indigenous communities have unique respect and traditions for bringing life into the world, but Indigenous women are three to four times more likely to die of complications related to pregnancy or childbirth than white women. A trained physician and member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe from Pine Ridge, South Dakota, Dr. Donald Warne is working to address those disparities through Indigenous medicine. In this episode, hosted by Amy Stiffarm—a member of the Aaniiih White Clay Tribe of Fort Belknap—learn about how Indigenous communities access healthcare and the uniquities of their maternal health needs.

Learn more about us, explore our resource center and find support for all maternal health professionals at MaternalHealthLearning.org.

Maternal Health Innovation is a product of the Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center and is produced by Earfluence.

Music provided by Graham Makes.

MHLIC collaborates with many organizations and people for content such as the podcasts, videos, and webinar series. The statements , information, and opinions shared may not reflect MHLIC and MHLIC partners. Our team strives to hold ourselves and invited experts accountable, and will address violations to our values and overall mission. Read our full disclaimer here.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U7CMC33636 State Maternal Health Innovation Support and Implementation Program Cooperative Agreement. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.

After a difficult pregnancy and postpartum journey of her own, Ana Rodney founded MOMCares, a postpartum doula program designed to help support Black mothers in the NICU that are under-supported and facing financial stress. Ana is also chair of Baltimore's Maternal Mortality Review Board and a member of the Infant Mortality Review Board, and she's noticed a difference between the two: one is composed of professionals, institutions and government organizations, and the other of doulas and individuals with lived experiences. In this episode, hosted by UNC School of Medicine's Dr. Rachel Urrutia, hear why Ana thinks doctors and doulas coming together can lead to more positive health outcomes for birthing people and their babies.

Learn more about us, explore our resource center and find support for all maternal health professionals at MaternalHealthLearning.org.

Maternal Health Innovation is a product of the Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center and is produced by Earfluence.

Music provided by Graham Makes.

MHLIC collaborates with many organizations and people for content such as the podcasts, videos, and webinar series. The statements , information, and opinions shared may not reflect MHLIC and MHLIC partners. Our team strives to hold ourselves and invited experts accountable, and will address violations to our values and overall mission. Read our full disclaimer here.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U7CMC33636 State Maternal Health Innovation Support and Implementation Program Cooperative Agreement. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Welcome to Season 3 of the Maternal Health Innovation Podcast! In this first episode of Season 3, Rakiah Anderson, Evaluation Manager at MHLIC, dives into the world of the Center's Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG). In this episode, you are introduced to remarkable voices from LEAG members Eboni Williams, Amber Pendergraph-Leak, Courtnie Carter, and Maya Jackson.

Listen as MHLIC’s LEAG members share their personal stories and collective activism, shedding light on the profound impact of their work and how it has deepened their commitment to improving maternal health in the United States. Discover the challenges faced during childbirth amidst the pandemic, the intricate tapestry of maternal mental health, and the revolutionary concept of community-based doula support. Learn how these unique perspectives have shaped their approach to providing feedback and support to MHLIC's initiatives.

Learn more about us, explore our resource center and find support for all maternal health professionals at MaternalHealthLearning.org or MaternalHealthPodcast.org. Maternal Health Innovation is a product of the Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center and is produced by Earfluence.

Music provided by Graham Makes.

MHLIC collaborates with many organizations and people for content such as the podcasts, videos, and webinar series. The statements, information, and opinions shared may not reflect MHLIC and MHLIC partners. Our team strives to hold ourselves and invited experts accountable, and will address violations to our values and overall mission. Read our full disclaimer here.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U7CMC33636 State Maternal Health Innovation Support and Implementation Program Cooperative Agreement. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.