2026 Maternal Mortality Prevention Symposium

Data Briefing and Action Forum to Prevent Pregnancy-Associated Deaths in Louisiana

Join us for the virtual Maternity Mortality Prevention Symposium hosted by the Bureau of Family Health on Friday, August 21, 2026!

The summit will bring healthcare professionals, government leaders, community organizations, maternal health advocates, and families together with one goal: to end preventable maternal deaths.

Recommendations alone do not save lives – they require committed, coordinated action.

Together, we will turn awareness of maternal mortality into action by using the recommendations from the 2020-2022 Pregnancy Associated Mortality Review Report to create systemic change and address the specific circumstances contributing to the health outcomes of pregnant women and their families.

Symposium sessions/activities focused on:

Examining findings from the 2020-2022 Louisiana Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Report
Discussing key drivers of pregnancy-associated mortality
Exploring strategies to implement recommendations to improve outcomes for women, families, and communities in Louisiana

Session Details

Topic: Reducing Pregnancy-Associated Deaths from Drug Overdose and Suicide

Speakers:

Rachel Hernandez | Humana Healthy Horizons
Jackie Kellett, LCSW-BACS, LAC | Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana
Dr. Julie Morial, MD, MPH, FACP | AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana
Dr. Donald Stader, MD, FACEP, FASAM | Epifluence

Topic: Improving Screening for and Addressing Social Drivers of Health

Speakers:

Paula Watts Dye, MSN, RN | Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program
Jeanie Donovan, MPH, MPA | Family Connects New Orleans
Dr. Jerry Roberson, DrPH | The Well Family Network and Research Collaborative
Kaylee Hall, MPH | Maternal Child Systems, Bureau of Family Health

Topic: Ensuring Patient-Centered Care for Every Woman

Speakers:

Kiara Cruz, MPH, PhD(c) | Woven
Dr. Bantu Gross, PhD | Fathers Matter NOLA
Dr. Susan Perez, MPH, PhD | Woven
Frankie Robertson, MPA | The Amandla Group

Topic: Improving Clinical Quality of Care

Speaker:

Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell, MD, MAS, FACOG | Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative

Breakout Session Recordings

Breakout Room One:

Breakout Room Two:

Breakout Room Three:

Breakout Room Four:

For more information about the Louisiana Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review, visit partnersforfamilyhealth.org/maternalmortality or contact LouisianaPAMR@la.gov.