Carole Johnson, administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will visit the Wayne State University campus as part of the national Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative tour.

During the visit, Johnson will highlight new national funding to support this work across the country and in Michigan. She will also conduct a roundtable convening of women and families supported by HRSA programs, HRSA-funded health care providers and community-based organizations, and community leaders working to address maternal and infant health across the state of Michigan.

In the last year alone, the Wayne State College of Nursing has been awarded more than $7 million from HRSA for projects focused on enhancing the nursing workforce and advancing health equity in Detroit and other medically underserved communities. These interdisciplinary projects are being led by WSU Nursing faculty members including Assistant Professor Nicole Wheeler, DNP, CNM, and Associate Clinical Professor Cynthera McNeill, DNP, APRN, AGPCNP-C.

“We are pleased to host HRSA and our state leadership for this important roundtable discussion on our campus,” said Wayne State President Kimberly Andrews Espy, PhD. “There are numerous Wayne State researchers and clinicians committing their knowledge and skills every day to improve infant and maternal health for our community. We’re proud to collaborate with agencies like HRSA and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to advance this critically important work and empower health for our urban neighborhoods.”

“We’re proud of our record of impactful partnerships with HRSA and grateful for the opportunity to host this convening on campus,” said WSU College of Nursing Dean Ramona Benkert, PhD, ANP-­BC, FAANP. “Our institutions share a deep commitment to health equity, exemplified by the HRSA-funded projects being led by our faculty members addressing health disparities in our community, including critical issues that affect infant and maternal health.”

The Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative is focused on implementing the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis, including:

• Strengthening, expanding, and accelerating federal investments to address maternal mortality and maternal health disparities.
• Increasing access to comprehensive high quality maternal health care, including behavioral health services.
• Fostering new partnerships and collaborations to address maternal mortality and improve maternal health. 

The initiative focuses on 11 states and the District of Columbia where HRSA has significant investments, there are significant opportunities for new partnerships and collaborations, and there is high need: Arizona, Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon and the District of Columbia.

Event details

What:

• Roundtable Discussion: Enhancing Maternal Health in Detroit, Michigan

Who:

• Carole Johnson, HRSA Administrator
• Elizabeth Hertel, Director, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
• Michael Warren, MD, Associate Administrator of HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau
• Maternal health care providers
• Michigan community-based organizations
• Michigan families supported by HRSA programs

When:

• Tuesday, August 27, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. EDT
• Press availability is from 11:30 a.m. to Noon EDT (Media wishing to set up may arrive at 9:45 a.m. EDT).

Where:

• Wayne State University McGregor Memorial Conference Center
  495 W. Ferry Mall, Detroit, MI 48202

Media RSVP:

• Members of the press may RSVP to this event by email at Press@hrsa.gov.

For questions related to the event, contact 301-443-3376.