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CenteringPregnancy open house builds momentum for group prenatal care

Dr. Abigail Gamble, Rep. Zakiya Summers, chair of the MEWI Community Advisory Board Nic Lott, Dr. Victoria Gholar, and Dr. Sherie Brock at the CenteringPregnancy Open House
Dr. Abigail Gamble, Rep. Zakiya Summers, chair of the MEWI Community Advisory Board Nic Lott, Dr. Victoria Gholar, and Dr. Sherie Brock at the CenteringPregnancy Open House

The Myrlie Evers-Williams Institute for the Elimination of Health Disparities (MEWI) continues to invite expectant mothers to participate in CenteringPregnancy, an innovative model of group prenatal care designed to support maternal and infant health in Jackson and across Mississippi.

This spring, MEWI hosted a successful CenteringPregnancy Open House at the Myrlie Evers-Williams Institute, welcoming community members, partners and health care leaders to learn more about the program. Guests toured the space, met the team and discussed how CenteringPregnancy can help create a supportive environment where pregnant patients receive care, education and encouragement alongside others with similar due dates.

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LeJeune Johnson, a population health science doctoral student at the John D. Bower School of Population Health, and Amy Winter, senior program manager at the Mississippi Public Health Institute

“CenteringPregnancy gives expectant mothers the opportunity to receive prenatal care while also building relationships, asking questions and learning alongside others who are experiencing pregnancy at the same time,” said Teresa Jones, MSN, RN, RN clinical program manager for Maternal and Child Health at the Mississippi Public Health Institute. “We are excited to support this work because it creates a space where mothers can feel informed, encouraged and connected throughout their pregnancy.”

The open house also highlighted the strength of the partnerships behind this work. MEWI extends appreciation to the Mississippi Public Health Institute, Rep. Zakiya Summers of Mississippi House District 68, Nic Lott, the MEWI Community Advisory Board and the UMMC Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for their continued support.

As recruitment continues, MEWI encourages pregnant patients and community partners to help spread the word. CenteringPregnancy offers participants an opportunity to build community, ask questions, prepare for birth and connect with care in a welcoming group setting.

To learn more about CenteringPregnancy or participant opportunities, contact EversCare@umc.edu or call 601-815-3535.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), provided financial support for this project as part of an award totaling $1,103,819 with zero percentage financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect or endorse the policies of HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.