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ACURE4Moms

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MomBaby Home

ACURE4Moms Team

ACURE4Moms is led by a team of clinicians, Community-Based Doulas, and researchers from across NC, including team members from UNC School of Medicine, Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC), North Carolina Area Health Education Centers (AHEC), N.C. Department of Information Technology, RJ Squared, Momma’s Village Fayetteville, and MAAME, Inc.

This study is led by a stakeholder advisory board, which includes patients of color who have had a pregnancy complication, community doulas, practice representatives, health insurance payers, patient advocacy group MomsRising, the North Carolina OB-GYN Society, the North Carolina Chapter of the American College of Nurse-Midwives, and the North Carolina Department of Public Health.

For questions or concerns, please contact Acure4moms at Acure4moms@med.unc.edu.

Our study’s Co-Principal Investigators are Drs. Jennifer Tang and Rachel Urrutia of UNC’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, whose work is focused on addressing inequities in maternal healthcare. They will be supported by several other UNC Co-Investigators who bring with them extensive knowledge, experiences, and resources toward the project, including Dr. Sam Cykert, Dr. Kate Menard, Dr. Wanda Nicholson, and Dr. Marcella Boynton. Members of UNC’s Collaborative for Maternal and Infant Health (CMIH) will also be greatly involved through the course of the study, including Co-Investigator Sarah Verbiest. We will be relying on individuals from UNC’s Sheps Center for all our data management, analysis, and IT needs.

Momma’s Village Fayetteville (MVF) is a nonprofit community organization based in Fayetteville, NC providing Doula care, lactation support, holistic maternal mental health support, culturally -focused birthing & parenting education, and support & advocacy work for Black and brown families. They are one of our doula partners for this study and will be leading the community-based doula training and oversight in Eastern NC. Their founder, Angela Malloy, is also a Co-Investigator for this study.

MAAME, Inc. located in Durham North Carolina empowers Black, Brown, Indigenous, and other Birthing People of color and those historically excluded to navigate systems during pregnancy and postpartum, mobilize to offer resources, education, services, and support for holistic maternal health, wellness, sustainable communities, and economic advancement. Their founder, Maya Jackson, is also a Co-Investigator for this study.

MAHEC serves North Carolina’s 16 western counties and is involved with training and retaining healthcare professionals, especially in rural areas. The MAHEC team, which include Amanda Brickhouse-Murphy and Dolly Byrd, have been leaders in offering a race-equity-centered approach to OB care and for this study are involved in the creation of our Maternal Health Equity Education Trainings for practice staff, a racial equity curriculum specific to our project. They will also help implement our project interventions at practices in the Western NC area, such as Charlotte.

NC AHEC is proud to be a collaborative partner in this important study aimed at advancing maternal health care in North Carolina. We recognize the challenges practices face in addressing factors that impact patient care and outcomes, and have positioned our Practice Support Facilitators to help. The Practice Facilitators are trained to work with OB/GYN practices to help them make meaningful changes to improve birth outcomes. One way they do this is to help practices use data dashboards to promote timely intervention when there are changes in a mother’s key health indicator, such as blood pressure, which is known to impact a baby’s birth weight. The Practice Facilitators can assist practices to identify and follow up on missed appointments and tests that are recommended for pregnant moms. Timely intervention, along with recognizing and addressing care gaps, can significantly help reduce the chances of delivering a low birth weight baby which in turn reduces chances of a baby dying or having ongoing developmental and chronic health problems.

The NC Health Information Exchange Authority was made by the state of North Carolina to facilitate the creation of a modernized health information exchange (HIE) to better serve NC’s health care providers and their patients. A health information exchange (HIE) is a secure, electronic network that gives authorized health care providers the ability to access and share health-related information across a statewide information highway. For our project, the NC HIEA will help create our data interventions, the Perinatal Equity Dashboard and the Maternal Warning System, and will be involved in collecting data for analysis.

Team members from the: NC HIEA.

The ACURE4Moms study will be directed and guided by the Stakeholder Advisory Accountability Board Leading with Equity (STABLE). This group will ensure community participation in the development and progress of the ACURE4Moms study and act as an accountability partner for the Research Team. They will provide oversight on study design and dissemination and will advise on the development of material and study proceedings.

STABLE will be Co-Chaired by a Research Stakeholder, Christina Yongue, and a Doula Stakeholder, Brittany Curry. STABLE includes patients of color who have experienced low birthweight (LBW) or severe maternal mortality (SMM), Community-Based Doulas, and representatives from the NC Division of Public Health, NC Women’s Health Branch, (WHB), NC Medicaid, NC Maternal Health Innovations (MHI) Provider Support Network, the Greensboro Health Disparities Collaborative (GHDC), OB practices, commercial payers (BCBS/Anthem, United, Wellcare), patient advocacy groups like MomsRising, and professional organizations, like the American College of Nurse-Midwives and the NC Obstetrical & Gynecological Society.

Team members from the: NC HIEA.

RJ Squared, LLC is a consulting firm that centers the Reproductive Justice framework while providing supportive services, including technical assistance, training, and curricula development. RJ Squared’s co-founders, Dr. Jasmine Getrouw and Rebecca Severin, have extensive experience developing and delivering health equity and implicit bias trainings for clinical and non-clinical providers, including nurses, physicians, midwives, doulas, parent educators, home visitors, and care managers. With Acure4 Moms, RJ Squared is a member of the Train the Trainer team, which develops curriculum content and supports the facilitation of the Maternal Health Equity, Education, and Training (MHEET) series.

Meet the Doulas

There are many doula and community-based organizations joining this study. Two primary Doula group partners are MAAME, Inc. and Momma’s Village Fayetteville.

For this study, there will be an intervention that will match community-based doulas who are trained to provide culturally relevant care with high-risk patients after their first prenatal appointment. Two community-based co-investigators – Maya Jackson, MAAME, Inc., and Angela Tatum Malloy, a certified doula and the founder and CEO of Momma’s Village Fayetteville – will help facilitate the training of doulas that will be needed for the expansive study and will provide support to the doulas working with clinics in their communities. The doulas will provide support to patients during pregnancy and up to one year after birth by setting up peer support groups for clients with similar due dates, attending two prenatal visits with them, supporting them for up to 24 hours during labor, and performing a postpartum home visit.

Momma’s Village Fayetteville is a Community-Based Doula group based out of Fayetteville, North Carolina.

You can learn more about our Eastern North Carolina Doulas, get to know each person, the sites they practice, and their partnership at MVF at mommasvillage.com.

Angela Tatum

ACURE4Moms Eastern Doula Lead

Angela Tatum

Jasmine Johnson

ACURE4Moms Eastern Doula Team Project Manager

Jasmine Johnson

For this study, there will be an intervention will match community-based doulas who are trained to provide culturally relevant care with high-risk patients after their first prenatal appointment. Two community-based co-investigators – Maya Jackson, MAAME, Inc., and Angela Tatum Malloy, a certified doula and the founder and CEO of Momma’s Village Fayetteville – will help facilitate the training of doulas that will be needed for the expansive study and will provide support to the doulas working with clinics in their communities. The doulas will provide support to patients during pregnancy and up to one year after birth by setting up peer support groups for clients with similar due dates, attending two prenatal visits with them, supporting them for up to 24 hours during labor, and performing a postpartum home visit.

Taylor Johnson

I am a community-based doula in Fayetteville, NC. I have been active with Momma’s Village Fayetteville for over seven (7) years. I got into doula work after experiencing my own challenges navigating the healthcare system, through five (5) births, while dealing with a missed postpartum depression diagnosis. I have had to advocate for the health of myself and my babies while still in the hospital setting. Although I had a support system to help navigate these experiences, I know that every woman does not always have that as their option. My goal is to help parents develop a prenatal, birth and postpartum plan that will create the experience they deserve in a system that is often challenging. My experience as a nurse assistant, as being a parent and as someone who navigates through creating positive mental health support, I am able to bring experienced and evidence-based knowledge, compassion and support that is important to help each parent develop their own support plan for themselves and their baby. My biggest priority is making sure that the mother is empowered in her choices and care by offering non-judgmental, individualized support. I know that it is an honor for our families to allow me to offer them support.

Somariya Jackson

As a dedicated doula with a passion for empowering mothers, I bring nine years of experience as a certified doula and aspiring midwife. Through Yoni Reign LLC, I advocate for holistic birthing experiences, blending my expertise in herbalism and nutrition to support each mother’s journey with compassion and wisdom. My mission is to nurture and empower mothers, ensuring every birth is a sacred and empowering experience.

Genesis Banks

Quay Roache

Laquasha “Quay” Roache

Laquasha, often known as Quay, is the Founder and Doula of Hibiscus Healing. She is a trained Full-Spectrum Doula and a Certified Lactation Counselor, with a particular passion for postpartum care and lactation support. Quay is also the mother of an energetic and charismatic boy.

Quay is committed to decolonizing and reimagining birth work, ensuring that everyone going through the reproductive stages—such as trying to conceive, pregnancy, labor, and birth—can access safe spaces where authenticity, humility, and love can flourish. She challenges societal norms and empowers families to recognize the strength they already possess; to live authentically, be heard, and feel protected.

Through education, compassion, resources, and more, Quay aims to improve and witness all experiences related to birth and parenthood

Eboni Allen

Eboni is a Durham native who is passionate about the facts and stats! With a background in Biology and STEM education, Eboni marries her skills in the science of birth and her love of the holistic practices of birth. Eboni is also currently pursuing a masters in Public Health at Eastern Washington University. The birth of her first child is what solidified her calling to be a doula, leading her to dive into the work and never look back.

With families facing such a huge transition in their lives, Eboni strives to use the knowledge she has and her passion for the community to ease the journey to parenthood! She is a wife, and proud mom of 2 amazing children. Eboni has experience working with high risk families, single parent families, families choosing to adopt, vaginal births after cesarean, and planned surgical births.

Eva Charles

Eva Tatum-Charles

Together, my husband and I have raised three wonderful children. I’m also blessed to be “KoKo” to two grandchildren”. who has brought so much joy to our family. My journey through motherhood and now grandmotherhood has deepened my desire to walk alongside other women as they experience the incredible seasons of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. As a doula, my heart is to offer encouragement, comfort, and practical support so that every mother feels cared for, empowered, and never alone.

Iriana Kay

My name is Iriana, and I am a DONA International-trained birth doula. I specialize in prenatal support, labor support, belly binding, and breastfeeding education. I began this work because I am passionate about helping women feel empowered and supported while making the best decisions for themselves and their children.

My approach blends traditional and intuitive practices with evidence-based care. My purpose is not only to assist mothers on their journey through pregnancy, labor, and delivery but also to provide tools and resources for a healthy postpartum experience.

Integration into parenthood is not just about breathing techniques and comfort measures during labor—it’s about staying in tune with one’s mind, body, and soul throughout the transition. I believe birth is a physical, spiritual, and emotional journey that requires honesty, support, and love to be fully embraced.

My work is centered on liberating women in their experiences and choices, fostering and strengthening connections within their support systems, and providing physical and emotional comfort throughout pregnancy and labor.

Nicole Collins

Precious McKendall

My name is Precious Breanna, and I am Hood Doula. I am a trained birth doula. I was born and raised in Fayetteville,North Carolina. In 2023 I traveled to Kenner, Louisiana to further my knowledge, and get more hands-on training from the renowned Kyrstal Alkaline Doula! After returning home I acquired my first doula client which led to my first assisted natural birth.On August 28th, 2023 we welcomed a healthy baby girl!

In my journey to become a birth doula I learned of inequities and lack of proper treatment of black women in comparison to women of other races in childbirth. As a doula I will be a support system that provides comfort , spiritual empowerment and constant support for the mother to be throughout the precious process of childbirth.

As a spiritual woman , mother of four , wife and advocate for my community it is my passion and purpose to be a part in the change for the quality of healthcare for black women. To uplift and positively engage during the process of labor and delivery. I intend to use my influence as a voice for the black women in my community. I will speak with intention on behalf of every black woman who has ever had to encounter a low quality birthing experience , those who no longer have a voice because they lost their life due to lack of proper care and the mothers that are experiencing birthing for the first time that you can have a high quality and spirituality fulfilled experience.

Taya Partin

Hello, I am Taya Partin, a doula who believes it truly takes a village to birth and raise a child. I am dedicated and compassionate about each mother and family that I serve, with a mission to empower you through one of life’s most transformative experiences- birth. I believe every individual is uniquely made for this incredible journey, and I am here to support you every step of the way. My goal is to empower and equip you to know that you were created for this!

MAAME, Inc. is a Community-Based Doula group based out of Durham, North Carolina.

You can learn more about our Western North Carolina Doulas, get to know each person, the sites they practice, and their partnership at MAAME, Inc. at MAAMEInc.org/.

Maya Jackson

ACURE4Moms Western Doula Lead

Maya Jackson

Brooke Rucker

Owner/Founder of Essentially Yours Doula Services

Brooke Rucker

Brooke is a devoted wife, daughter, sister, friend, and above all, a proud mother of four remarkable children. Her upbringing as an “Army Brat” exposed her to a rich tapestry of experiences that continue to influence her life and outlook. From an early age, Brooke felt a profound connection to mothers and their newborns, recognizing the unique bond that exists between them.

Inspired by the extraordinary resilience and strength of women, Brooke discovered her true calling in birth work. She founded “Essentially Yours Doula Services”, with a clear mission: to advocate for expectant mothers, provide both physical and emotional support, and serve as a steadfast cheerleader throughout the birthing process. As a professional doula, she believes that childbirth is not just a medical event but an empowering experience that can transform lives. Brooke is deeply honored to accompany mothers on their journey to motherhood, helping them embrace their inherent power and navigate the challenges and joys of bringing new life into the world. Through her work, she strives to create an environment where every woman feels supported, respected, and empowered.

Essentially Yours Doula Services

Website: www.essentiallyyoursdoula.com

Phone number: 502-541-8285

Cassey Mapp-Ahmed

Owner/Founder of Village Sis Doula, LLC

Cassey Mapp-Ahmed

Cassey Mapp-Ahmed, MPH, CHC, CHES, CSSYB, CD, originates from the stunning mountains of Asheville, NC. With over a decade of experience as a doula, she proudly owns Village Sis Doula, LLC, a company dedicated to enhancing maternal health by providing empowering birth experiences through both quality in-person and virtual support. Her organization offers a comprehensive array of customized services aimed at optimal assistance, including childbirth education, postpartum care, fertility doula services, holistic wellness, lactation support, bereavement support, doula mentorship, and public speaking on reproductive health. Cassey’s reputation is founded on her ability to create empowering birth experiences and cultivate community connections that encourage ongoing health advocacy and improved wellness.

Her commitment to advancing maternal health, championing reproductive justice, and fostering community wellness has driven her to dedicate two decades to Public Health Research. She has completed a variety of certifications and training programs, such as Birth Advocacy Childbirth Education, Doula International Postpartum Doula, Birth Arts International Full Spectrum Doula, PAIL Bereavement Doula, Dona International Birth Doula, and Mammissi Fertility Doula, among others. As a certified full-spectrum doula, she is devoted to expanding her knowledge and experience to offer physical, emotional, and spiritual support, along with education, to those in labor, ensuring a truly empowering birthing journey.

She is a proud mother to a 2-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son. Together, they find joy in the tranquility of the garden, cooking, and participating in enjoyable community events. Her desire to establish Village Sis Doula, LLC stems from her own experiences with five years of fertility challenges, motherhood, and an understanding of the complexities surrounding minority health disparities. She has recognized the importance of community support and education in advocating for personal health and wellness throughout various life stages, particularly during pregnancy. Her journey has inspired the motto, “IT TRULY TAKES A VILLAGE.”

Denawa Alberti

Denawa Deniece is a full spectrum doula and holistic guide specializing in herbalism, placenta encapsulation, pre/postnatal yoga, holistic postpartum care and is the owner of Qcity Doula and Double Dose Wellness located in Charlotte NC. She services the greater Mecklenburg area and Wake County and is passionate about helping women along their reproductive and wellness journeys. Throughout her career she has supported dozens of women in various capacities by providing them with education and support, while empowering them to trust their innate strengths as women. Her biggest advice to new parents is to be open to the process of unlearning + relearning as you evolve into parenting. Values, traditions and what you know to be true can and will change during motherhood and that is ok. Surrounding yourself with community is key because although no parenting situation is cookie cutter, having a support system of community is a great way to not feel alone.

Her favorite quote:

“When you take care of yourself, you’re a better person for others. When you feel good about yourself, you treat others better.” –Solange

Khalilah Moore

Khalilah is a dedicated healthcare professional residing in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. With over a decade of experience in the healthcare sector, her career took a transformative turn following the birth of her daughter in 2017. This pivotal moment ignited her passion for breastfeeding advocacy, leading her to become a Certified Lactation Counselor. Recognizing the importance of comprehensive support for women during childbirth, Khalilah further expanded her expertise by training as a doula, enabling her to offer assistance to women in her community both in person and virtually.

As the proud owner of K & K Lactation and Moore, Khalilah is committed to empowering women throughout the labor process. Her mission is to equip expectant mothers with the knowledge and support they need to navigate childbirth confidently and informed. Khalilah’s dedication to her work reflects her belief that every woman deserves to experience birth with the utmost support and understanding.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Khalilah enjoys a variety of activities that enrich her life. She finds joy in reading, traveling, and cherishing moments spent with family and friends. Through her advocacy and support, Khalilah continues to make a meaningful impact in her community, championing the well-being of mothers and their children.

Nakia Clark

Nakia Clark’s journey is a testament to resilience and growth. Growing up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, she became a young mother at nineteen to her son, Kj, who inspired her through life’s challenges. As a hairstylist, Nakia built meaningful relationships with women that enriched her life.

A pivotal moment came in 2017 with the loss of her brother, which shifted her focus to the importance of time and relationships. This tragedy ignited her passion for community work, leading her to advocate for special needs adults and pursue a career as a doula, empowering families during significant life events.

Nakia’s story reflects her unwavering compassion and determination as she continues to uplift her community and inspire others.

Qua Sharpe

Owner/Founder of Birthing A Better You

Qua Sharpe

I am Qua Sharpe born and raised in High Point, North Carolina. I am a clinical therapist and the owner of Birthing A Better You, providing birth and postpartum services. I am extremely passionate about mental, maternal and infant health. I enjoy working with families to ensure they feel fully and adequately prepared for childbirth, labor and postpartum by providing physical, emotional and educational support. As your doula, my goals are to provide a safe, unbiased, nonjudgmental space for you and to provide current evidence-based information so that you have the knowledge to make informed choices over your body, baby and birth.

Sha’irah Khyah

I am Sha’irah, an Interdisciplinary Doula of over 12 years. I support families through all stages of their Childbearing years from preconception to infancy. I specialize in holistic wellness with a focus on nutrition, mental health, newborn care, and more. I have a unique understanding of a medical and holistic approach due to my experience in the medical field for over a decade. With that experience I provide education and support through my teaching of “wise autonomy”, offering guidance in well-informed, evidence-based, pregnancy and birth, while also teaching the laws and rights in each of the respective paradigms. As a young wife and mother of fourteen, I also understand the systematic disparities in healthcare and education, through personal and professional experiences. To make changes in our communities, we must first ensure that individuals are provided with trusted care, education, and support. I am honored to be of service and witness such a sacred time in growing families.

Shatrell Mack

Owner/Founder of Yuhnique Organics & Doula Services LLC

Shatrell Mack

Shatrell Mack is a dedicated Birth Worker with a profound commitment to supporting mothers throughout their birthing journeys. With the experience of assisting over 30 births, Shatrell has established herself as a compassionate and knowledgeable resource for expectant families. Her role as a Full Spectrum Doula allows her to provide invaluable support not only during labor but also with breastfeeding and postpartum care.

Currently pursuing her studies at South University to become a Midwife, Shatrell is driven by a mission to change the statistics surrounding birthing women. She collaborates with other passionate doulas, working together to empower mothers and enhance their birthing experiences.

Shatrell’s business, Yuhnique Organics & Doula Services LLC, embodies her dedication to holistic and personalized care. In addition to her private practice, she actively volunteers with the Cone Health Volunteer Doula Program, further demonstrating her commitment to the community and her desire to make a positive impact in the world of maternal health.

With a heart full of gratitude, Shatrell expresses her appreciation to those she supports, reaffirming her role as a guide and ally on their unique birthing journeys.

Shayla Rhem

Shayla Rhem CD/PCD(IBFA), FSD (DTI), CBE (BADT), is owner of EASE Doula Collaborative, a full spectrum doula, childbirth educator, doula trainer, and reproductive justice activist. Starting her career in 2017, just 2 years after her youngest was born, she saw doula work to educate birthing people of their expectations during birth and the postpartum period. After learning more about birth work and the black maternal health statistics, it organically led her into reproductive justice.

As an activist, she seeks to continue to learn all she can about its intersections and to fight for BIPOC’s who choose to advocate for their own reproductive journeys. Shayla is also CPR (Infant, Child, and Adult) certified and completed a Spinning Babies workshop. Services Offered – Birth & Postpartum Doula, Childbirth Education, Spinning Babies Education, Birth, Postpartum, and Full Spectrum Doula Training.

Tiara Morris

Owner/ Founder of Total Maternal Support

Tiara Morris

Tiara Morris is a dedicated full-spectrum doula and placenta encapsulation specialist based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. With a commitment to serving families in the Triad and surrounding areas, Tiara has earned a reputation for providing compassionate and knowledgeable support throughout the pregnancy and postpartum journey.

Holding multiple certifications, including those as a birth and postpartum doula, advanced breastfeeding counselor, and childbirth educator, Tiara believes that knowledge is power. This philosophy drives a passion for empowering families by equipping them with the information necessary to make informed decisions regarding their health and well-being.

As a devoted wife and mother, Tiara understands the importance of support during such transformative life stages. Complementing her doula training, she is certified in bloodborne pathogens, CPR, BSL, first aid, and AED for adults, infants, and children, ensuring that she is prepared for any situation that may arise.

With a deep-seated passion for all aspects of pregnancy, birth, and lactation, Tiara looks forward to the opportunity to support, empower, and serve families on their unique journeys. Her commitment to fostering a nurturing environment allows families to thrive during one of the most significant times of their lives.

Total Maternal Support

Email: tmsdoula@gmail.com

Website: www.totalmaternalsupport.com

Social media: @tmsdoula

The ACURE4Moms Study is funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (Contract #AD-2020C3-21142), The Duke Endowment (Grant #7045-SP), and the UNC Health Foundation. The statements in this article are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), its Board of Governors, or Methodology Committee.

We aim to improve the health and well-being of women and families across North Carolina and the U.S.

Collaborative for Maternal and Infant Health

Room 216 MacNider
Campus Box 7181
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7181

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