We strive to eliminate health disparities for underserved families in Hampton Roads and beyond.
Our Program
We created the Center for Maternal and Child Health Equity and Advocacy (CMCHEA) to intensify efforts to examine and address maternal and child health disparities.
Through a combination of research and community partnerships, we strive to create better policies and guidelines, improve quality of care, and improve health outcomes for families in Hampton Roads.
- Sonita Dodani, PhD
- Mekbib Gemeda
- Keith Newby, MD
- Camilla Buchanan, MD
- Megan Buchholz
- Derwin Gray, MD
- Jeff Henke, MD
- Holly Puritz, MD
- Sharon Sheffield, MD
- Stephanie Spencer
- Kenda Sutton-El
- Christine Truman, MD
Goals
- Serve as a resource for healthcare providers, administrators and policy makers in local, regional, state, and national organizations and agencies.
- Collect and analyze data related to why both mother and infant death rates are so high in Hampton Roads and beyond.
- Conduct studies to improve healthcare quality and safety.
- Perform decision/cost analyses and systematic reviews.
- Use study results to create more effective policies.
- Train health care providers and managers in quality, safety, policy, and advocacy.
- Provide opportunities for Summer Scholars program.
- Leverage components of Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) division, MFM research infrastructure, pediatric faculty, the Brock Institute and Research and Infrastructure Service Enterprise (RISE)
Events
The Center for Maternal and Child Health Equity and Advocacy had its official launch in April, 2022. Present at the event were numerous community partners including Birth in Color, Urban Baby Beginnings, Minus 9 to 5 and Loving Steps, all of which support the health of mothers and babies.
What we hope to achieve
The Center for Maternal and Child Health Equity and Advocacy (CMCHEA) supports underserved parents and children by getting to the root of the problems that have led to inequality in health care services.
How? By partnering with community members, collecting and analyzing data, and conducting studies that can help us improve the care that patients receive in Hampton Roads and beyond.
As the vision to create the Center for Maternal and Child Health Equity and Advocacy came together, finding the right person to lead the charge was of utmost importance.
