Woman Centered Health

25/10/2025

Has someone ever argued with you over facts?

When I ran for office in rural Iowa, I quickly learned that people will argue facts, but they have a harder time arguing stories. Stories are so powerful because they humanize and connect.

I could tell people that 2/3 of Iowa counties don't have a single OB, that Iowa ranks last for the number of OB/GYNs per capita, or that 34 labor and delivery units have closed in Iowa since 2000.

Or I could connect by sharing what it was like to make the decision on where to deliver our third child, and the real risk of driving an hour on an interstate in bad weather, or the distinct possibility of my husband delivering our baby on the side of the road.

Telling the story engaged more people because they could imagine themselves in that situation and how scary it is to be a pregnant mom in rural areas without close access to delivery services.

That’s why I wrote the Rural Communication Guidebook—to share how to humanize and connect with people's hearts. The hard work of creating change begins with heartwork. Let's do the hard work of healing the divide and stopping political determinants of health by doing the heartwork now.

Every conversation, election, and decision to run is an opportunity to create positive change and better health.

What story have you told that made someone think or changed their mind?

Get your copy: https://womancenteredhealth.com/shop/

23/10/2025

💡 Did you know… telehealth exists because of policy?

During COVID-19, temporary laws allowed doctors to see patients online and be reimbursed.

Now, states decide whether to keep those rules—especially critical for rural women needing mental or reproductive healthcare.

👉 Have you ever used telehealth?

22/10/2025

"We can be radical in thought, but we have to be incremental in change. We have to meet folks where they are, not where we want them to be." -Nicole Loew PhD, RN author of The Rural Communication Guidebook

21/10/2025

🌟 It’s done! 🌟

The project I’ve been teasing is finally finished — and I’m so excited to share it with you!

What started as an idea during my campaign has grown into a full 50+ page guidebook to help Democrats communicate more effectively with rural non-Democrats.

This guide is packed with lessons learned from conversations across rural Iowa — how to build trust, find common ground, and connect with empathy and strategy. It’s for anyone who believes rural voices matter and wants to strengthen the conversations that shape our communities.

💻 Ebook is available now
📘 Print pre-orders are open

Your support means the world — not just to me, but to the rural communities this work is meant to uplift. 💙

👉 link in bio! www.womancenteredhealth.com

21/10/2025

🌟 It’s done! 🌟

The project I’ve been teasing is finally finished — and I’m so excited to share it with you!

What started as an idea during my campaign has grown into a full 50+ page guidebook to help Democrats communicate more effectively with rural non-Democrats.

This guide is packed with lessons learned from conversations across rural Iowa — how to build trust, find common ground, and connect with empathy and strategy. It’s for anyone who believes rural voices matter and wants to strengthen the conversations that shape our communities.

💻 Ebook is available now
📘 Print pre-orders are open

Your support means the world — not just to me, but to the rural communities this work is meant to uplift. 💙

👉 Order here: https://womancenteredhealth.com/shop/

21/10/2025

🌟 It’s done! 🌟

The project I’ve been teasing is finally finished — and I’m so excited to share it with you!

What started as an idea during my campaign has grown into a full 50+ page guidebook to help Democrats communicate more effectively with rural non-Democrats.

This guide is packed with lessons learned from conversations across rural Iowa — how to build trust, find common ground, and connect with empathy and strategy. It’s for anyone who believes rural voices matter and wants to strengthen the conversations that shape our communities.

💻 Ebook is available now
📘 Print pre-orders are open

Your support means the world — not just to me, but to the rural communities this work is meant to uplift. 💙

👉 Check it out here: https://womancenteredhealth.com/shop/

20/10/2025

17/10/2025

The political determinants of health—like who holds office, what policies are passed, and how communities are represented—shape everything from access to care to whether your hospital stays open.

The good news? You have power here.

🗳️ Vote in every election, not just the big ones.
🏃‍♀️ Run for office—your community needs your voice.
🗣️ And maybe most importantly, talk to friends and neighbors about what’s at stake. Change starts in conversation, not confrontation.

I’ve been working on something new to help make those conversations easier, especially in rural communities. It’s almost ready—and I can’t wait to share it with you. 💙

16/10/2025

💡 Did you know… states that expanded Medicaid saw fewer maternal deaths?

When states expanded Medicaid, more women gained consistent healthcare before, during, and after pregnancy.

In states that didn’t, many lost coverage just weeks after giving birth.

That’s how policy decisions can literally save lives.

15/10/2025

Build connection. Skip the lecture.
Join us for LIFT: Linking Families & Teens — a one-day retreat for adults + young people (ages 13–19).

📅 Saturday, Nov. 8 | 🕙 10 AM–4 PM
📍 Chariton Christian Church
🤝 Hosted by: Chariton Christian Church & Woman Centered Health

What you’ll do:

* Learn simple ways to talk about relationships & sexual health
* Practice real-life communication skills (without the awkward)
* Teens connect with caring adults; adults connect with other adults
* Leave with tools you can use at home—no “one right” parenting style

We welcome every family—all cultures, backgrounds, family types, and values.

Good to know:
✅ $50 Visa gift card for each participant (given at the end)
✅ Lunch + great snacks provided
✅ Child care for younger children (on site)

Funding and facilitation provided by EyesOpenIowa

👉 Register: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/jgf94w4
Tag a friend who should come with their teen!

13/10/2025

Something I’ve been working on is finally finished… at least on paper. ✨

The edits are done, and now I’m navigating the technical side of getting it out to you. Soon, you’ll get a look at something that’s been months in the making—a project close to my heart that dives into connecting with rural communities in a meaningful way. 🌾

Stay tuned… this is just the beginning.

10/10/2025

Build connection. Skip the lecture.
Join us for LIFT: Linking Families & Teens — a one-day retreat for adults + young people (ages 13–19).

📅 Saturday, Nov. 8 | 🕙 10 AM–4 PM
📍 Chariton Christian Church
🤝 Hosted by: Chariton Christian Church & Woman Centered Health

What you’ll do:

* Learn simple ways to talk about relationships & sexual health
* Practice real-life communication skills (without the awkward)
* Teens connect with caring adults; adults connect with other adults
* Leave with tools you can use at home—no “one right” parenting style

We welcome every family—all cultures, backgrounds, family types, and values.

Good to know:
✅ $50 Visa gift card for each participant (given at the end)
✅ Lunch + great snacks provided
✅ Child care for younger children (on site)

Funding and facilitation provided by EyesOpenIowa

👉 Register: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/jgf94w4
Tag a friend who should come with their teen!