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Innovative Conference Offers Insight into Crucial Maternal Health Topics

Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey to Host Maternal Health and Perinatal Safety Symposium

Newark, NJ – The Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey will host The Maternal Health & Perinatal Safety Symposium on March 16, 2023, at the Bergen Community College Lyndhurst Conference Center from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm. The Maternal Health & Perinatal Safety Symposium gathers healthcare providers, social workers, and public health professionals from the tri-state area to provide information on current issues impacting maternal health and perinatal safety in New Jersey and nationally. This innovative conference provides a comprehensive approach to the unique challenges associated with improving maternal and perinatal health care. Tickets can be purchased at www.pmch.org or by calling 973-268-2280.

Since the 1990’s the maternal mortality rate has risen in the United States, and Black women are most negatively impacted.  In New Jersey, Black women are up to seven times more likely to die during childbirth than their White counterparts.  The Maternal Health and Perinatal Safety Symposium was established in 2018 and has since become a valuable resource to healthcare providers working to provide equitable quality maternal health care.

The planning committee, led by Dr. Ernani Sadural, Director of Global Health at RWJBarnabas, and comprised of health leaders across northern New Jersey, have assembled an exciting line-up of speakers and topics including tools for providers to improve health equity and reduce racial disparities, diversifying the healthcare workforce, self-care for healthcare professionals, the treatment of gender-diverse individuals, the utilization of virtual exam rooms to eliminate barriers to treatment, and the role of racism in healthcare disparities.

Mariekarl Vilceus-Talty, MA, BSN, President and CEO of the Partnership discussed the value of the collaboration the symposium promotes. “Through discussion and collaboration, we can help to advance and improve maternal health outcomes, empower healthcare leaders, and enhance systems of care. I look forward to hosting a panel highlighting maternal health advances in New Jersey at the symposium this year.”

Featured speakers include Michellene Davis, Esq., President and CEO of National Medical Fellowships, Inc.; Pooja Lakshmin, Founder and CEO of Gemma; and Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, PhD, MPH, Founder and Director of the Center for Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice, Tufts University School of Medicine.

The Partnership would like to thank Family Health Initiatives, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, the Motherhood Center of New York, WellCare of New Jersey, and Amerigroup for their generous support of this event. Reserve your tickets and learn more about the Partnership at www.pmch.org.