According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, from 2006-2010, the ratio of pregnancy-related deaths to live births (PRMR) among non-Hispanic Black women was 5 times larger than the PRMR among non-Hispanic White women in Wisconsin. The effects of interpersonal and systemic racism contribute heavily to Black maternal mortality rates in the state, and are expected to be major factors in higher rates serious birth complications, including hemorrhage, kidney failure, eclampsia, and mental health disorders in Black birthing people. Maternal mental health disorders are the most common complication of pregnancy, with Black women experiencing higher rates of these disorders. Given these disparities, join as we discuss how to improve the care of Black mothers during and after pregnancy.
This educational series includes 5 modules with recorded presentations and handouts addressing:
- Root causes of mental health disparities in Black mothers, and how racism, chronic stress, and social determinants of health impact the lived experience of Black mothers.
- Best practices in perinatal mental health screening.
- Medication management in perinatal care for Black mothers.
- Leveraging community resources for the perinatal care of Black mothers (2 presentations specific to the Beloit and Milwaukee, WI areas).
OVERVIEW of Self-Study Series - printable PDF
Funding Source
Funds for this project are provided by the US American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. This educational series was developed collaboratively by:
Resources for content development:
- Wisconsin DHS - Maternal Mortality and Morbidity
- Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health - Issue Brief: Black Maternal Mental Health
- Wisconsin Pregnancy Risk Assessment 2018-19 Surveillance Report
- Hernandez, N.D., Francis, S., Allen, M. et al. Prevalence and predictors of symptoms of Perinatal Mood and anxiety Disorders among a sample of Urban Black Women in the South. Matern Child Health J 26, 770–777 (2022)
Target Audience
This activity is designed for physicians, residents, physician assistants, advanced practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, social workers and other interested health care professionals.
Cost to Purchase Series
$15 - WNA Members - please have WNA/ANA member # available when ordering
$35 - Non-members
Payment is by credit card. CLICK HERE to ORDER the series!
Method of Participation
To receive up to 4.5 contact hours (including 1.0 Rx contact hour) of Nursing Continuing Professional Development credit, you must:
- Purchase the self-study series to receive links to all 5 presentation recordings, accompanying handouts, and the online evaluation form.
- Complete the modules applicable to your learning needs.
- Complete the corresponding section(s) on the online evaluation form for each module completed to receive an emailed CE Certificate documenting the contact hours awarded.
A few other important points about the online evaluation:
- The deadline to view the purchased series and complete the online evaluation for CE credit is December 31, 2027.
- Each section of the evaluation contains 5 post-test multiple-choice questions relating to the corresponding module recording. You are not required to achieve a minimal percent correct in order to earn the CE credit.
- All pertinent sections of the evaluation can be completed right away after viewing the recordings, or you can complete some sections on the evaluation form and 'SAVE' your progress to receive an emailed link to return and complete it later. You will not be able to access the purchased series recordings or the evaluation after December 31, 2027.
- A Certificate of Completion documenting the contact hours (including any pharmacology/Rx hours) earned for completing one or multiple modules will be emailed immediately after you 'Submit Evaluation.'
Questions?
Contact Bri Dunbar bri@wisconsinnurses.org
Click on the 5 modules below to find learning objectives, presenter information, and the number of contact hours awarded for each.
Micaela Berry-Smith is a distinguished professional serving as the Senior Program Manager of Community and Maternal Health Initiatives at the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness. With a proven track record in birth equity leadership, early childhood education, and social entrepreneurship, Micaela brings unwavering dedication and extensive expertise to her role. With over 15 years of experience, Micaela has demonstrated her commitment to serving children and families across various contexts, driving numerous impactful initiatives. In addition to her professional pursuits, she has adeptly managed a Nanny service in the Greater Madison area, effectively bridging the gap between in-home childcare providers and working professional families.
Tasha is a Certified Nurse Midwife and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner. Originally from Philadelphia, PA, she relocated to Milwaukee 9 years ago. For the past 4 years, she has been working at Aurora Sinai Medical Center in downtown Milwaukee. As an Evidence-Based Birth Childbirth educator, she is passionate about empowering parents with the knowledge and skills they need for childbirth. She is also a wife, mother of 3, an avid reader, and a self-proclaimed birth nerd.
Obie Oniah is a third-year medical student at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, driven by a passion for addressing healthcare disparities, particularly in black infant and maternal mortality. Before starting medical school, she worked as a Certified Professional Doula in Madison, WI, providing crucial support to black and brown mothers during their childbirth journeys. This experience deeply influenced her career trajectory, igniting a passion to become an OB/Gyn after medical school. She is pursuing a path of distinction in research along the way with projects centered on innovative strategies to improve outcomes and access to healthcare for underserved communities. Her journey exemplifies a blend of clinical excellence, advocacy for health equity, and a steadfast dedication to making a tangible impact in women's health and healthcare disparities.
Deejay is a medical student at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, passionate about advancing health equity and transformative healthcare solutions, with a focus on patient lived experiences driving change. She enjoys exploring the mind-body connection and using integrative approaches to enhance interprofessional services in healthcare settings. Deejay obtained her Bachelor of Science with majors in biology and psychology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the University of Southern California. Her professional journey began in dementia and end-of-life care before transitioning to quality improvement and healthcare services research. With a strong interest in public health, she has supported grant writing, community health program development, public health informatics, and tobacco research, developing strategies to help individuals quit smoking. Her public health work and personal experiences fueled her interest in maternal-fetal health disparities. She currently engages in community-based participatory research, exploring community-led support groups for Black perinatal women in Madison. Outside her academic pursuits, Deejay enjoys outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, and paddleboarding. Her newest pursuit is indoor bouldering and she hopes to try outdoor bouldering next summer.
Dr. Christina Wichman is a Professor of Psychiatry and Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She completed residency in Adult Psychiatry and fellowship in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry at Mayo Clinic. Clinically, she created and directs a co-located perinatal psychiatric service and is the Co-Director of Women’s Mental Health at the MCW. She is the Medical Director of The Periscope Project, Wisconsin's statewide perinatal psychiatric access service, and is responsible for the Project's clinical services. She is passionate about sharing her expertise with other health care providers and looks to build connections across geographical boundaries.
Kari graduated with a bachelor's of science in nursing from University Wisconsin Milwaukee in 2001. She worked as a high-risk labor and delivery nurse for 15 years before heading back to school at the University of Cincinnati where she studied to be a Family Nurse Practitioner, graduating in 2017. Women's Health is her true calling and she was fortunate to become a nurse practitioner in Women's Health at Beloit Health System in 2018. Since that time, she has led the staff in revamping the perinatal education and connecting patients with community resources to promote better birth outcomes.
Through Rasmussen University, Jessie received her Associates of Applied Science Nursing Degree. She is currently an avid member of the Rock County Breastfeeding Coalition and The 1st 1000 days Program. Jessie has obtained professional designations and certifications as a Certified Lactation Counselor and carries Electronic Fetal Monitoring Certification as well. Jessie is the Obstetrics Educator at Beloit Health System, Beloit Clinic. She began her career in the Nursing Field in 2015 and has continued to gain knowledge and experience in obstetrics for nearly 10 years. Jessie joined Beloit Health System in 2016 and has held various positions within labor and delivery and management teams. Jessie is passionate about helping others and continues to serve in various roles in the community to align with her passion. In her free time, you can find her with her two daughters, Braelyn and Maizee enjoying sports and dancing. They are a driving force in her continued work in her career and her community.Continuing Education Credit: Up to 4.5 contact hours (including 1.0 contact hour designated as pharmacology/Rx focus) of nursing continuing professional development credit are available for completing all 5 modules in the series. It is the responsibility of participants to determine whether the content provided meets the specific continuing education requirements of their certifying or licensing body.
We suggest that you save/print a copy of the Overview of Self-Study Series, session handout(s) and your CE Certificate for purposes of documenting your completion of these modules.
Requirements for Successful Completion: Participants must view the entire video, review the handout file and complete the online conference evaluation by December 31, 2027 to receive the CE credit for each module.
Relevant Financial Relationships: There are no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies for those involved with the ability to control the content of this activity.
Provider Statement: This activity was jointly provided by the Wisconsin Nurses Association, Wisconsin Medical Association, and Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Nurses Association is approved with distinction as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by Montana Nurses Association, an accredited approver with distinction by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
