Embrace Center of Excellence

09/25/2025

New research by members of the EMBRACE research team highlights how racism and gender discrimination impact postpartum health.

In the Postpartum Mothers Mobile Study (n=313), Black participants who reported more frequent racial and gender discrimination retained more postpartum weight.

Using real-time stress tracking and weight monitoring:
🔹 +10% in days with racial discrimination → +0.3 lbs retained
🔹 +10% in gender discrimination → +0.4 lbs retained
🔹 Higher stress was linked to less weight retention

These findings underscore how chronic discrimination may shape maternal health after childbirth.

Read more of this study's findings here ➡️ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39526406/

09/23/2025

🗣️ How do pregnant patients who use substances feel about the way their clinicians communicate with them?

Dr. Mendez and her team asked, and their study looked at how patients' perceptions of negative versus positive clinician communication behaviors.

The takeaway? Negative behaviors included:
- Clinicians expressing judgment
- Clinicians rushing through the consultation and providing limited information to patients
- Clinicians using statements or behaviors that made patients feel dehumanized
Positive behaviors included:
- Clinicians explicitly expressing care for the patient
- Clinicians creating rapport by soliciting patient stories and building relationships
- Clinicians demonstrating attentive listening

These findings could help improve patient-clinician interactions and, in turn, maternal health care and outcomes. 💬🤰💡

➡️ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40927396/

09/15/2025

✨ Healthy Start is seeking Black families who are willing to share clear photos 📸 of their baby 👶🏾in the NICU to be included in our doula training curriculum.

These photos will:

💜Provide meaningful representation of Black babies in NICU settings

💜Support doulas in learning how to better serve families with compassionate, culturally grounded care

Your photos will be used for training purposes in our NICU Doula Curriculum. This curriculum may be shared or licensed for use by other organizations. Photos will not be posted on social media or used for promotional purposes. All submissions will be uploaded through a secure system and stored in a password-protected folder accessible only to our training team to take every step possible to protect your baby’s image.

If you are interested in contributing or want more information, please reach out to Nadia Mercado (EMBRACE Project Coordinator) via email 📧 (nmercado@hsipgh.org). Photos will be accepted until 🗓️ Friday, September 19th.

Thank you for helping us uplift and center Black families and babies!

09/15/2025

Stay in the Loop with EMBRACE! Don’t miss out on exciting updates, upcoming events, and ways to get involved with our community

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09/12/2025

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us on Monday for the screening of The Ebony Canal! Your presence made the evening truly magical. ✨

These snapshots capture just a glimpse of the energy, laughter, and love we shared!

09/11/2025

Ready to celebrate your beautiful bump?

Join us on Monday, September 29th, for a special evening of prenatal yoga and belly casting! It’s the perfect way to relax and create a lasting keepsake of this incredible journey. Spaces are limited, so register now to save your spot!

This is more than a workshop—it’s a celebration of you, your body, and your journey into parenthood.

09/09/2025

A huge thank you to everyone who came out tonight for our screening of The Ebony Canal! ✨
Your energy, presence, and passion made it an unforgettable evening 💛

09/05/2025

09/04/2025

As part of EMBRACE's Fall Seminar Series, we’re honored to host Dr. Martina Anto-Ocrah for an impactful workshop, "The Shaping of My Identity."

In this session, Dr. Anto-Ocrah will guide us through life-course narratives — helping us reflect on the defining moments that have shaped our personal and professional journeys.

This workshop is designed to foster a deeper sense of purpose for trainees and community members alike, as we continue to grow and learn together on the EMBRACE journey.

🗓️ When: Next Thursday at 1pm
📍 Where: Homewood CEC Wellness Center: 622 N Homewood Ave, Pittsburgh
🔗 Register now: https://live-embrace-pitt.pantheonsite.io/event/the-shaping-of-my-identity-workshop/

09/02/2025

🍂 Fall is here, and so is our latest newsletter!
Missed it last week? No stress — we’ve saved all the good stuff for you!

🔹 Upcoming events on maternal health
🔹 New career opportunities
🔹 Behind-the-scenes updates from our team

Catch up now and step into the season with us
👉 https://mailchi.mp/644446933782/second-year-new-logo-14186292