📍Nashville, Tennessee
Enhancing Maternal Healthcare: The MEADOW Program
Challenge:
The United States faces a critical shortage of maternal healthcare providers, particularly in rural and medically under-resourced communities. Improving maternal mortality rates and addressing mental health concerns for new mothers requires enhanced training and support for future healthcare providers.
Solution:
With funding from HRSA/BHW Maternity Care Nursing Workforce Expansion (MatCare) Program, the MEADOW (Midwifery Education – Access and Development for Optimizing the Workforce) program at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing aims to strengthen the maternal health workforce. The program includes the following features:
- Education & training support: Provided scholarships and stipends of about $56,000 per person over the course of three clinical semesters.
- Behavioral health integration: As part of the enhanced curricula for nurse-midwives, the program included courses on medication for opioid use disorder, cultural competency (CLAS standards), and mental health.
- Community-based training: Expanded clinical placements in rural and other medically underserved areas to improve maternal healthcare access.
- Preceptor engagement: Offers stipends and incentives for preceptors, fostering sustainable mentorship.
- Workforce expansion: Enhanced partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities and healthcare institutions to increase enrollment and support trainees.
- Sustainable program management: Implemented structured work plans, effective communication strategies, and financial planning to optimize grant-funded resources.
Impact:
✅ Increased enrollment of midwifery students from diverse backgrounds committed to serving rural and medically underserved communities.
✅ Strengthened community-based training partnerships to enhance real-world maternal health education.
✅ Improved workforce retention through financial support and mentorship opportunities.
✅ Greater healthcare access for pregnant individuals in medically underserved areas.