COLUMBUS, OH — As communities across the state and the nation observe National Infant Mortality Awareness Month this September, state leaders and maternal health advocates are intensifying their focus on critical strategies to protect mothers and newborns. In recognition of this vital month, the Ohio Legislative Children’s Caucus is scheduled to host a comprehensive public webinar to examine the state’s ongoing efforts to curb preventable tragedies through the Doula Medicaid Reimbursement Program, while also taking a closer look at the broader landscape of Ohio’s professional doula community.
The virtual event, open to the public, lawmakers, healthcare providers, and community advocates alike, arrives at a crucial juncture for the state. Ohio continues to grapple with persistent public health challenges concerning maternal and infant mortality rates. While state officials, healthcare systems, and community organizations have introduced various initiatives and achieved incremental progress in recent years, Ohio still struggles significantly with preventing maternal and infant deaths, leaving vulnerable families disproportionately impacted and underscoring the urgent need for innovative, community-based solutions.
The Doula Medicaid Reimbursement Program itself represents a direct legislative response to these systemic challenges. The program was originally established as a key component of House Bill 33, which served as Ohio’s biennial budget for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. Designed as a proactive healthcare strategy, the reimbursement initiative aims to integrate doula care into the state’s mainstream medical framework, recognizing the proven benefits that continuous, culturally competent physical, emotional, and informational support can provide to pregnant individuals before, during, and after childbirth.
Despite the implementation of these policy measures, experts emphasize that there remains an immense amount of work required to safeguard the lives of infants and mothers following childbirth throughout Ohio. Disparities in maternal health outcomes persist across racial, economic, and geographic lines, making targeted interventions more critical than ever. The Doula Medicaid Reimbursement Program is widely regarded by public health advocates as one of the most promising and essential strategies currently available to save more lives and bridge the gaps in traditional maternal healthcare delivery.
To explore these themes in depth, the upcoming webinar will feature a prominent lineup of nationally recognized policy experts, frontline birthworkers, and community health leaders who are actively shaping the future of maternal care in Ohio and beyond. The event will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, and will be hosted virtually via Zoom. Interested participants are encouraged to register ahead of time through the designated online registration link provided by the organizers.
The formal presentation for the webinar will be led by Elisabeth Burak, a senior fellow at Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families. Burak brings extensive research experience and policy expertise in children’s and family health coverage, offering attendees a broader national perspective on how state-level Medicaid investments in doula care can influence long-term health outcomes and reduce systemic disparities. Her presentation will help frame the discussion surrounding Ohio’s current policy framework and identify potential pathways for future program expansion and refinement.
Following the opening presentation, a diverse and experienced panel of experts will convene to share their hands-on perspectives from the field, addressing the practical realities of implementing doula care within diverse Ohio communities. The panel includes Sharda Smith, a family support coordinator and perinatal support doula with Birthing Beautiful Communities, an organization deeply committed to reducing infant mortality and improving birth outcomes through culturally centered care and community empowerment.
The discussion will also feature insights from Erica Gordon, a Columbus-based doula and maternal and infant vitality researcher representing Wholistically Divine, LLC. Gordon’s work bridges the gap between academic research and grassroots birthwork, providing critical data and localized context regarding the lived experiences of families navigating Ohio’s healthcare system.
Appalachian Ohio’s unique healthcare challenges and community-driven solutions will be represented by Julie Gladney, BS, LPN, IBCLC. Gladney serves as a health programs coordinator for the Hocking Athens Perry Community Action agency and coordinates the Appalachian Community Doula Training Program, bringing vital attention to the specific maternal health needs and workforce development efforts required in rural and economically underserved regions of the state.
Adding a clinical and holistic perspective to the conversation is Nikki King, RN, a board-certified full-spectrum doula, childbirth educator, and maternal health advocate. King is the founder of A Queen Empowering Queenz Inc. and Safe and Sacred Care LLC, where she champions comprehensive, respectful, and empowered care for women and families throughout their reproductive journeys.
Rounding out the expert panel is Logan Griffin, a birthworker, owner, and director of membership enrichment for Guided Glory Doula Services and the Blaq Birth Circle. Griffin’s daily work centers on supporting birthing people directly, fostering professional community growth, and advocating for policies that adequately compensate and respect the vital labor performed by community-based doulas across the state.
Organizers have confirmed that a video recording of the webinar will be made available to members of the media upon request following the conclusion of the event, ensuring that the critical dialogue and policy insights shared during the session can reach a broader audience and inform ongoing public discussions about maternal and child health in Ohio.
