Maternal Health Initiatives
The Perinatal Nurse Leader Collaborative (PNLC) brings together inpatient and ambulatory nurses in managerial or leadership positions across Western North Carolina to address region-specific and statewide perinatal care issues. This collaborative offers technical assistance, shares emerging evidence-based practices, and increases awareness of key state initiatives such as the NC Maternal Mortality Review Report.
If you are a nurse who is passionate about improving perinatal care, we would love to have you join us! To get involved in PNLC, please contact Katlyn Moss.
| Region | Counties | Perinatal Nurse Champion | Pharmacist Champion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Region 1 Western |
Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Yancey | Katlyn Moss, BSN, RN | Rachel Selinger, PharmD, BCACP, CPP, CDCES |
| Region 2 Northwestern |
Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Iredell, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Stokes, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin | Tina Morris, MSN, RNC-EFM | TBD |
| Region 3 Southwestern |
Anson, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Stanly, Union | Karen Clark, MSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM | TBD |
| Region 4 Northeastern |
Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Johnston, Lee, Orange, Person, Vance, Wake, Warren | Elizabeth Soto-Valdes, RN-BSN | Deb Sturpe, PharmD, MA, BCPS |
| Region 5 Southeastern |
Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Montgomery, Moore, New Hanover, Pender, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland | Kathleen Bloomfield, MPH, RNC-EFM | Kim Thrasher, PharmD |
| Region 6 Eastern |
Beaufort, Bertie, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Edgecombe, Gates, Greene, Halifax, Hertford, Hyde, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Nash, Northampton, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Pitt, Tyrrell, Washington, Wayne, Wilson | Jessica Noble, MSN-NE, RNC-EFM | TBD |
Through the Perinatal Outreach Coordinator Program, 16 Infant Restraining Seats have been secured for distribution across Western North Carolina. This effort directly responds to critical findings from our updated 2023 needs assessment, which identified major barriers to maternal care, especially in transportation and access to birthing facilities.
Key findings from the assessment include:
Previous conversations with local EMS providers, led by our Perinatal Nurse Champion Katlyn Moss, have confirmed that many ambulances frequently transport newborns but lack proper infant restraint devices. This is not just a local issue but a statewide issue. North Carolina has approximately 1,500 emergency ambulances and only a portion currently have pediatric transport equipment. In our region alone, ten counties have yet to receive any of these critical safety devices.
With this targeted purchase and distribution, more EMS agencies in our rural region will be equipped to support safer newborn transport, addressing a major gap in care and contributing to improved outcomes for families across Western North Carolina.
We will be collaborating with our partners at NC Mental Health MATTERS to talk to clinicians around the region about the importance of the postpartum health and mental health screening.
This presentation will include:
If your practice is interested in this presentation, please contact us!
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided financial support for this website. The award provided 100% of total costs and totaled $220,000. The contents are those of the author(s). They may not reflect the policies of HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.
