AIM for Safer Birth

In this season finale of AIM for Safer Birth, Christie is joined again by Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell to reflect on key themes from the season, including rural maternity care, collaborative models, and the structural barriers impacting maternal health. They discuss the realities of hospital closures, the importance of integrating community birth centers, and the critical need for sustainability in...

In this episode, Christie explores the intersection of substance use and maternal health with innovators Dr. Nichole Nidey and Michelle Kavouras, focusing on the power of lived expertise to shape equitable, evidence-based care. Dr. Nidey, a maternal and child health epidemiologist and founder of the Empower Project, discusses how her work collaborates with individuals who use substances during pre...

Christie's talking with Audra Summers and Ashley Rainey about Indiana's innovative use of the AIM Patient Safety Bundles to drive sustainable change in maternal care. Audra and Ashley share their experiences implementing and maintaining quality improvements across Indiana's 75 delivery facilities. They discuss the importance of collaboration, the integration of safety measures into daily practices...

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Carey Eppes and her colleague, CheyAnne Harris, to explore Texas's experience with implementing the Maternal Early Warning Signs (MEWS) in maternal health care. Dr. Eppes shares her background and journey into the world of maternal health, detailing the personal motivations that drive her passion for this work. She and CheyAnne delve into the reasons behind adopti...

In this episode, Christie talks with renowned maternal health expert Dr. Elliott Main. A pioneering figure in maternal mortality review and quality care initiatives, Dr. Main discusses the history and evolution of the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM). Together, they explore the challenges and triumphs of addressing severe maternal morbidity and mortality in the U.S., the early grou...

Christie is talking with Amy Romano, founder and CEO of Primary Maternity Care. Amy, a nurse midwife with an MBA, shares her experience blending clinical expertise with system-level healthcare leadership to revolutionize maternity care in rural communities. They discuss the critical role of freestanding birth centers, their capacity to offer low-risk, community-based care, and how these centers co...

In this episode, Christie sits down with Dr. Andrea Greiner, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at the University of Iowa, to discuss the unique challenges of rural maternity care. Dr. Greiner shares her experiences working at a perinatal regional center, offering insight into how larger facilities can support rural hospitals and providers. Together, they explore the importance of individualized...

In part two of our conversation with Dr. Tina Pattara-Lau, Maternal and Child Health Consultant at the Indian Health Service (IHS), Christie continues to explore the ongoing transformation of maternal health care within rural communities. Dr. Pattara-Lau delves deeper into the impact of culturally responsive care, the integration of traditional practices, and the expansion of telehealth services....

Christie is delving into the unique challenges and innovative solutions in rural and Indigenous maternal health care with Dr. Tina Pattara-Lau, Maternal and Child Health Consultant at the Indian Health Service (IHS). Dr. Pattara-Lau shares her experiences and insights on improving patient access to quality care through culturally safe practices, partnerships, and innovative models such as teleheal...

Christie is joined by Dr. Kristen Dillon, Chief Medical Officer at the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). With an extensive background in rural healthcare, public health, and health policy, Dr. Dillon shares her journey from an urban upbringing in the San Francisco Bay Area to a dedicated career in rural medicine, including her expe...

Christie Allen, Senior Director of Quality Improvement and Programs at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell are back to explore the complexities of sustaining momentum in maternal health quality. After reflecting on last season, they discuss the concept of "health equity tourism" and the importance of true community integration. Dr. Gillis...

In the upcoming season, maternal health champions discuss quality improvement, sustainability, patient engagement, and more. Following the Season 2 kick-off episode, listen along to "You Can't Get There From Here," a four-part rural perinatal care miniseries – where our host Christie Allen and a variety of guests highlight the unique considerations and innovative solutions in providing quality mat...

In this special episode during Black Maternal Health Week, we delve into some of the critical issues surrounding maternal health disparities in the U.S. and the ongoing initiatives to address them. Host Christie Allen welcomes two distinguished guests: Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, and Carole Johnson, Administrator of the Health Resources and Service...

Join us as we dive deeper into the rising severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality rates in the United States through a data-driven, quality improvement lens. Each episode will foster discussion with those committed to improving maternal health outcomes and saving lives.

Navigating the challenges of addressing disparities and injustices in healthcare can feel overwhelming, but it's essential to remember that change begins with a desire to make a difference. In this episode, Christie and  Dr. Gillispie-Bell discuss how acknowledging the need for change and understanding the difficulty of the journey are the starting points for positive transformation. With a focus...

In this episode, Dr. Gillispie-Bell and Christie address the common myths surrounding equity and improving quality of care within the healthcare system. They discuss whether clinicians are inherently racist and the complex interplay between individual intentions, systemic biases, and how equity and quality are inherently intertwined. emphasizing that trust and relationship-building are pivotal for...

Data isn't about assigning blame but rather about uncovering gaps in care delivery and equipping healthcare teams to improve processes. In this episode, Christie and  Dr. Gillispie-Bell talk about the critical role that measurement and disaggregated data play in understanding and addressing disparities in maternal care. They discuss the challenges and importance of collecting accurate race and eth...

In this episode,  Dr. Gillispie-Bell and Christie delve into the difficulties of measuring equity and addressing barriers in maternal-child health data. They discuss the challenges of capturing accurate data in a fragmented healthcare system, the limitations of electronic medical records (EMRs) in measuring quality metrics, and the importance of contextualizing data within the broader landscape of...

In this episode, Christie and  Dr. Gillispie-Bell the integration of equity and quality when addressing severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality rates in the United States with a data-driven approach. Learn how the healthcare landscape has transformed to encompass not just clinical excellence, but also inclusive care that honors each individual's unique experiences and values. Discover the...

In this episode,  Dr. Gillispie-Bell and Christie are discussing the concepts of health equity and quality improvement in maternal care. They break down the distinctions between equity and equality, explore the definitions and importance of diversity, inclusion, and respectful care, and discuss how continuous quality improvement leads to positive change. Discover how these concepts intersect to cr...

In this episode, Christie and Dr. Gillispie-Bell dive deep into the intersection of equity and quality improvement in maternal healthcare, discussing the impact of personal identities, biases, and unconscious beliefs on patient care. Sharing personal stories and experiences, they explore how biases, both conscious and unconscious, can affect patient care and outcomes. Tune in to discover how ackno...