A study in the New England Journal of Medicine recognizes perinatal racial disparities in care. This is first time linking low birth weight with economic social and environmental issues. While recognizing these factors, the study put the burden on the individual and not the healthcare system.
- September 17
Racial Disparities in Care
Racial Disparities in Care
September 17, 1987
- February 7
Regional Consortium Established
Regional Consortium Established
February 7, 1992
Ilise Zimmerman, MPH, MS, is tasked with establishing the Northern Regional Consortium for Maternal/Child Health to decrease infant deaths and improve maternal health for the counties of Bergen and Passaic counties. This non-profit organization would eventually grow into the Partnership.
- February 7
Uniting Hospitals
Uniting Hospitals
February 7, 1993With a small staff, the Northern Consortium takes on the challenge of bringing competing hospitals together to discuss obstetric and pediatric outcomes. All hospitals were considered to be equal in competency – responsible for using the regulations as benchmarks to designate the hospitals in terms of ability to handle patient risk. The team discovered trends using birth certificate data, but the records were handwritten at the time. There was no efficient way to make comparisons or identify problem or to compare births within hospitals and to other hospitals in the state.
- February 8
Focus on Education
Focus on Education
February 8, 1994Nurse was responsible to identifying topics that many hospitals wanted to learn more about – grief, PPD, universal precautions. All local hospitals in the same room. Chairman of the board was from an urban hospital – Ed chair from suburban hospital. Had to collaborate.
- February 7
Providing Doula Services
Providing Doula Services
February 7, 1995The Northern Consortium was one of the first organizations in the state to provide doulas to act as one-on-one support during prenatal care and delivery. With generous support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the grant employed and trained Paterson-based staff and focused on supporting pregnant women in recovery.
- January 1
Blue Ribbon Panel
Blue Ribbon Panel
January 1, 1996The Blue Ribbon Panel was established by NJ Governor Whitman, with the Northern Cosortium’s urging, to identify factors contributing to infant health. Ilise Zimmerman took a lead role uniting 33 members and 4 task forces from across the state. The report, published in 1997, recognized racism as a risk factor for infant death.
- January 1
Serving Irvington
Serving Irvington
January 1, 1997Healthy Mothers/Healthy Babies of Irvington joined with the Northern Consortium. This collaboration plants the seeds for the Irvington Family Development Center which continues to provide direct community support. One of the first initiatives engaged a pediatric psychologist to provide support to children who experienced behavioral challenges. This mental health program pre-dates what we now recognize as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and childhood Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
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