Addressing maternal health is a federal priority area, and many community, state, and federal partners are actively engaging in a variety of initiatives throughout Region VIII (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY) aimed at improving maternal health outcomes. On January 22, 2026, CHAMPS hosted an online convening of health center and maternal health experts, to foster efficient cross-program collaborations and to share evidence-based models or promising practices that support improved maternal health.

Health center clinical and enabling services staff, state and local health officials, and individuals from maternal health community organizations were encouraged to attend.

Summit Goals: 

  • Share research findings and regional insights 
  • Amplify promising practices and innovative models 
  • Foster cross-state collaboration and learning 
  • Identify actionable next steps for health centers, Primary Care Associations, and community partners 
  • Build momentum for sustainable maternal health improvements 

All sessions included dedicated time for Q&A and group discussion. 

Details about each session can be found below:

REGION VIII MATERNAL HEALTH LANDSCAPE: SETTING THE STAGE FOR CHANGE

Speakers: Sharon Talboys, PhD, MPH and Shahpar Najmabadi, PhD, MPH, MS, University of Utah

Description: CHAMPS began working with Dr. Sharon Talboys and Dr. Shahpar Najmabadi from the University of Utah earlier this year to better understand the landscape of maternal health agencies and organizations across Region VIII. They conducted an environmental scan and key informant interviews across the region that aimed to define and describe the governmental agencies and community-based organizations supporting maternal health and related initiatives in Region VIII states and to determine their highest priority areas. This session discussed their findings and themes that emerged.

Session Handouts: View the handouts for Session One, Region VIII Maternal Health Landscape: Setting the Stage for Change, here.

Session Recording: View the recording for Session One here.

PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH: FROM MATERNAL MORTALITY TO MEANINGFUL SUPPORT

Featured Panelists: Robin Landwehr DBH, LPCC, Spectra Health and Marcella Smid, MD, SUPeRAD Clinic at the University of Utah.

Key Topics: 

  • Maternal mortality trends and mental health 
  • Perinatal mental health and substance use disorders 
  • Screening, referral, and wraparound support systems 

Session Handouts: View the handouts for Session Two, Perinatal Mental Health: From Maternal Mortality to Meaningful Support, here.

Session Recording: View the recording for Session Two here.

PRIMARY CARE AND PUBLIC HEALTH COLLABORATION: INTEGRATING TITLE V AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

Featured Panelists: Darcie Lee, RN, Horizon Health, and Hope Kleine, South Dakota Department of Health

Key Topics: 

  • Title V priorities and opportunities for collaboration 
  • Public health and clinical care integration 
  • Navigation and support program innovations 

Session Handouts: View the handouts for Session Three, Primary Care and Public Health Collaboration: Integrating Title V and Community Partnerships, here.

Session Recording: View the recording for Session Three here.

STRENGTHENING THE FOUNDATION: INNOVATIONS IN OB CARE AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Featured Panelists: Carl Whittaker, MD, CHC, Inc., Samantha Greenberg, MD, Family Medicine Residency of Western Montana, and Tanya Baity, CNM from Family HealthCare.

Key Topics: 

  • Perinatal care in community health centers 
  • OB care delivery models 
  • GME residencies, fellowships, partnerships and training pathways 

Session Handouts: View the handouts for Session Four, Strengthening the Foundation: Innovations in OB Care and Workforce Development, here.

Session Recording: View the recording for Session Four here.

CLOSING KEYNOTE: FROM INSIGHTS TO ACTION

Speaker: Danielle Pendergras, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, Eastern Utah Women’s Health

Description: Grounded in the power of personal stories to shape health care, this session highlighted how lived experience can drive creative programs, strengthen community partnerships, and inform policy solutions that improve access to perinatal care across our largely rural region. Participants left with a clear call to translate insight into action, leverage their individual and collective influence, and elevate real-world experiences to advance equitable, sustainable perinatal health systems across the region.

Session Handouts: View the handouts for Session Five, Closing Keynote: From Insights to Action, here.

Session Recording: View the recording for Session Five here.

Please contact the CHAMPS Clinical Quality Improvement Director if you have any questions.