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Maternal Health

Maternal Health

Governor Youngkin and Secretary Kelly are working collaboratively to combat maternal mortality, increase access to care, and promote engagement across diverse ethnic and socio-economic lines, bringing every initiative to the table. These efforts are supported by the reestablishment of the Task Force on Maternal Health Data and Quality Measures, as outlined in Executive Order 32, which aims to improve data collection, inform policies, and address maternal health disparities. 

Key Initiatives Under Executive Order 32: 

  • Reestablishment of the Task Force on Maternal Health Data and Quality Measures to evaluate maternal health data and improve care quality and outcomes, with a focus on race, ethnicity, and other demographic disparities. 
  • Ongoing partnerships and investments to improve prenatal care and expand access to doulas, nurse midwives, and maternal health hubs, especially in underserved communities like Petersburg. 
  • Broadening healthcare coverage for expectant mothers and ensuring financial and legal support for families. 
  • Virginia’s participation in the National Governors Association’s Improving Maternal and Child Health in Rural America Learning Collaborative to implement best practices and insights for improving maternal health outcomes. 

Read the press release and Executive Order 32 

Maternal Health Data Task Force

Established under Executive Order 32 and Executive Directive 11 , the Maternal Health Data Task Force will focus on utilizing data to develop meaningful priorities and strategies that ensure the safety and well-being of mothers across Virginia. 

Under the direction of Governor Glenn Youngkin, the Task Force convened to implement a data-driven approach to continue to solve challenges facing pregnant moms, and announced the " Ask About Aspirin " campaign, a data-driven initiative that offers an affordable and highly effective way to save the lives of expectant mothers.

June 25, 2025 Meeting

Supporting documents:

Maternal Health Data Task Force June 2025 Meeting Agenda

Maternal Health Data Task Force June 2025 Member List

DRAFT Maternal Health Data Task Force 5.9.25 Minutes

Maternal Health: For Commercial Health Plans

Louis Thompson, MD, FACOG, Director of Medical Operations, Commercial East Region, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield; Seema Sarin, MD, FACLM, Medical Director, Commercial and Specialty Business, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Cannabis Use During Pregnancy

Avery Michienzi, DO, Assistant Professor Emergency Medicine/Medical Toxicology, University of Virginia, Blue Ridge Poison Center

Maternal Health Task Force: Recommendation Ideation Part 1

Gina Barber, MPA, VCU; Brittany Keegan, Ph.D., VCU; Jenn Reid, Ph.D., VCU; Sofia Tortolero, MPA, VCU

Cannabis Use During Pregnancy: VDH Data

Lauren Kozlowski, MSW, MPH, Maternal and Infant Health Consultant, Virginia Department of Health; Kenesha Smith Barber, PhD, MPH, Community Health Improvement Epidemiology Program Manager, Virginia Department of Health

Maternal Health Update

Dr. Karen Shelton, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Health

VNPC Maternal Health Data Task Force presentation

Shannon Pursell, MPH, Senior Director, Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative; Dr. Shannon Walsh, MD, FACEP, Assistant Professor, VCU Health

Maternal Health Task Force: Understanding past and future tasks

Gina Barber, MPA, VCU; Jenn Reid, Ph.D., VCU; Sofia Tortolero, MPA, VCU

Maternal Health Update

Dr. Karen Shelton, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Health

Maternal Health Legislative Update

Leah Mills, Chief Deputy Secretary, Health and Human Resources

Maternal Health Medicaid Update

Cheryl Roberts, J.D., Director, Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services

VHHA Maternal Health Overview

David Vaamonde, Vice President of Data Analytics, Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association; Andre Tolleris, Director of Data Analytics, Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association

Birth in Color

Kenda Sutton-EL, Founder and Executive Director, Birth in Color

Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women

Sara Cariano, Director Eligibility Policy and Outreach, Department of Medical Assistance Services

Virginia Data to Support Maternal Health

Kyle Russell, Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Health Information

Maternal Health Data Sources at VDH

Kelly Conatser, MCH Epidemiology Unit Supervisor, Virginia Department of Health

Virginia Medicaid Maternal Health Update

Cheryl Roberts, J.D., Director, Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services

Maternal Health Lunch and Learn Series

The Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources convened another "Lunch and Learn" session, this time focusing on Maternal Cardiovascular Health.  Many attendees from various stakeholder groups in the Commonwealth heard from the new Health and Human Services Secretary, Janet Kelly, and industry experts on Maternal Cardiovascular health services available in Virginia.

Presentations:

Virginia Mental Health Access Program For Moms+ Maternal Mental Health Expansion

Ally Singer Wright, Senior Director, Virginia Mental Health Access Program

Richmond Behavioral Health Authority Women's Residential Addiction Treatment

Makita Lewis, Program Manager, Women’s Residential Treatment Center, Richmond Behavioral Health

Office of Substance Use Services Women's Services - Project LINK Program

Glenda M. Knight, LPC, CSAC, Women's Services Coordinator, Specialty Population Manager

Postpartum Support Virginia – Serving Virginia’s Perinatal Families

Mandolin Restivo, Executive Director, Postpartum Support Virginia

Maternal Health Roundtable 

On February 29th 2024, the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources gathered representatives from across Virginia, including legislators, state agencies, and medical community members to discuss strategies for improving Maternal Health. The Governor delivered opening remarks and challenged attendees to establish measurable next steps that address struggling maternal health numbers in the Commonwealth. Presenters spoke to the landscape of maternal health in Virginia,  Medicaid Maternity and Postpartum Care, Private Sector Care, and a community perspective reflecting best practices.  

The Honorable Kay Coles James, former Secretary of the Commonwealth, led a rich open mic discussion with attendees to gather information as to what is needed to improve Virginia’s maternal health. Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears, First Lady of Virginia, Suzanne Youngkin, State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton and approximately 75 community members participated in the roundtable. The Governor and Secretary Littel will continue the work to bring every initiative to the table in a collaborative effort to combat the maternal mortality rate, increase access to care, and promote engagement across diverse ethnic and socio-economic lines. 

Presentations:

Virginia Medicaid Maternal Health Services Update

Cheryl Roberts, J.D., Director, Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services

Maternal Health A Whole Health Approach

Seema Sarin, MD, FACLM, Medical Director, Commercial and Specialty Business, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Virginia Health Support - A Community Based Approach

Stephanie Spencer, Executive Director of Urban Baby Beginnings

VA Data Landscape

Dr. Karen Shelton, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Health