Embrace Center of Excellence

05/26/2026

Dr. Stacy Bartlett recently published A Guide to Implementing Fourth-Trimester Care in a Family Medicine Practice, emphasizing how earlier contact with patients during the postpartum period is important for assessing complications and preventing maternal morbidity.

Read more here ➡️

Earlier contact with patients during the postpartum period is important for assessing complications and preventing maternal morbidity.

05/25/2026

The Allegheny County Health Department recently announced a proposal that, if passed, would require all employers in the county to offer at least 18 weeks of paid parental leave. Jada Shirriel at Healthy Start, Inc. Pittsburgh/Allegheny County spoke out about the need for paid parental leave and how this ties to the higher rates of death from childbirth among Black women and infants in the region.

“These outcomes are the result of barriers, biases and structural inequities that continue to undermine the experiences of Black moms and birthing people across our region,” Jada Shirriel said. “And while the disparities for Black families continue to require us to take immediate action, we advocate for every family in our county to have the benefit of paid family leave.”

Read more here ➡️

If passed, a new proposal would require all Allegheny County employers offer at least 18 weeks of paid parental leave.

05/19/2026

Our Community Component ensures that the local Pittsburgh community is meaningfully involved in all research, training, data collection, and dissemination. Through our network of maternal health partners involved in our Community Advisory Board, our Reproductive Research Advisory Board, and our ongoing partnerships, our team leverages the many strengths and accomplishments of our community throughout the region.

05/12/2026

Ready to move from conversation to real change?

The EMBRACE Summit is more than an event, it’s a full-day, immersive experience where care, practice, and policy come together. Join a dynamic space filled with interactive working sessions, wellness experiences, meaningful networking, and powerful dialogue!

Together, we’ll explore how to:
✨ Elevate community voices
✨ Strengthen collaboration across sectors
✨ Turn lived experience into real systems change

🎟️ Save your spot now! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/embrace-summit-tickets-1987547138996?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/11/2026

A study co-written by Dr. Hyagriv Simhan analyzing 11,000 cesarean deliveries identified several factors linked to higher postpartum infection risk, including smoking, obesity, labor before cesarean delivery, longer surgeries, uterine incision extension, and use of additional uterotonics.

The findings highlight higher-risk groups and the need for further validation in diverse clinical settings.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41850326/

05/10/2026

A huge thank you to all the moms and maternal figures making the world a better place, one loving moment at a time. Wishing you a day filled with joy, appreciation, and well-deserved recognition! 💜

05/07/2026

Are you pregnant or had a baby in the last year?

You may be eligible to participate in the OPTIMIZE study, a research study on sleep and health during and after pregnancy. Participation involves a one-on-one Zoom interview (about 60 minutes) where you’ll be asked about your experiences with sleep, stress, routines, and support, especially around the time of birth. Compensation is provided.

https://pittplusme.org/studyarms/publicdetails?guid=9553f4f8-4578-473b-b7ed-108b5bf8dc2d

05/06/2026

New research from EMBRACE’s team is shining a light on an important gap in maternal COVID-19 vaccination rates in Allegheny County.

While 88.7% of White participants reported receiving at least one dose, only 53.7% of Black participants had been vaccinated.

These disparities matter, not just for moms, but for the health decisions families make moving forward. The findings underscore a clear need for more thoughtful, community-informed vaccine outreach that supports families and builds trust.

Read more here ➡️ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41630699/

05/04/2026

Ready to move from conversation to real change?

The EMBRACE Summit is more than an event, it’s a full-day, immersive experience where care, practice, and policy come together. Join a dynamic space filled with interactive working sessions, wellness experiences, meaningful networking, and powerful dialogue!

Together, we’ll explore how to:
✨ Elevate community voices
✨ Strengthen collaboration across sectors
✨ Turn lived experience into real systems change

🎟️ Save your spot:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/embrace-summit-tickets-1987547138996?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/01/2026

We’re proud to announce this year’s Willa Doswell Embracing Excellence in Maternal & Child Health Interns!

This internship supports three University of Pittsburgh graduate students annually, providing hands-on practicum experiences that bridge academic learning with community engagement.

Each intern is paired with both a community preceptor and an EMBRACE academic mentor—fostering meaningful skill development, leadership growth, and real-world impact in maternal and child health. 💙

04/23/2026

Thank you all for an amazing book club this semester💜

In the spirit of being the leaders we’re looking for (inspired by bell hooks!), here are a few bold visions + ways to get involved in PGH:

🌱 Bold Visions
• The BIRTH Plan for Black Babies & Families — advancing equity in maternal & infant care
• Proactive rental inspections to address lead & environmental hazards
• A newly passed anti-retaliation bill protecting tenants 🙌

🤝 Get Involved
• Hill District Consensus Group
• Our Water Campaign + Pittsburgh United

More ideas? Drop them below or reach out!