Power of MoMMAs Voices

Today’s episode of Power of MoMMA’s Voices highlights a “Pain into Purpose story of Kate Boydston. Kate is a survivor of placental abruption, gestational diabetes, and postpartum anxiety and depression, as well as a NICU stay. She has since used her “mom voice” on local, national, and international stages as both a Patient Family Partner and as Mrs. New York American.  “Being able to know that I had a goal of being on a stage, being an advocate for maternal mental health, really gave me an area to set some goals for my therapy.” “I'm able to feel like my voice is actually making an impact in my state and community.” “…my mom voice has been able to travel internationally and that's all due to MoMMA's Voices and the training that I received as a Patient Family Partner.” “And I think that it's important to find your group of people that will support you in getting to that ultimate goal that you're looking for. And I found my people through MoMMA's Voices.” Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts Come join the Power of MoMMA's Voices family and don't forget to leave us a review! By showing your love, you'll help other moms out there discover how they can use their voice too. It only takes a few clicks – just head here, rate with five stars at the bottom of page then share what was most meaningful for you about this episode. Your support really does make all the difference—thank you!  

In this “Pain into Purpose” episode of Power of MoMMA’s Voices, we hear from Melissa Gordon Metzler about her traumatic twin-pregnancy experience, her desire to advocate to help others, the connection between advocacy and her therapy career, and how she found MoMMA’s Voices. Here's a glance at this episode... “So at that moment just kind of started connecting with myself, connecting with a higher power, and just really felt I needed to live. And I was gonna do whatever it took to get there.” “We're here and on a mission to help other women to make sure that, that a story like mine doesn't live on for generations to come and we can, we can do better and, and learn from it.” “I learned sharing my story was my healing adventure.” Click here to listen! Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts Come join the Power of MoMMA's Voices family and don't forget to leave us a review! By showing your love, you'll help other moms out there discover how they can use their voice too. It only takes a few clicks – just head here, rate with five stars at the bottom of page then share what was most meaningful for you about this episode. Your support really does make all the difference—thank you!    

Here's what you'll learn in this episode: This episode of Power of MoMMA’s Voices is a conversation with Mandi Gross, a Patient Family Partner and also the Administrative Coordinator for MoMMA’s Voices. Hear Mandi discuss her journey from pregnancy to postpartum preeclampsia to maternal health advocacy with MoMMA’s Voices Program Manager, Bekah Bischoff.  Here's a glance at this episode... “I truly found my calling in advocacy and my MoMMA's Voices crew.” “It's been such an unexpected, but amazing thing in my life. I would say take the training, join the community, find the ‘momeraderie’ that we have…” Click here to listen! Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts Come join the Power of MoMMA's Voices family and don't forget to leave us a review! By showing your love, you'll help other moms out there discover how they can use their voice too. It only takes a few clicks – just head here, rate with five stars at the bottom of page then share what was most meaningful for you about this episode. Your support really does make all the difference—thank you! Links mentioned in this episode: https://www.mommasvoices.org/training https://www.preeclampsia.org/get-involved  https://health.usf.edu/publichealth/chiles/fpqc/  https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/psi-online-support-meetings/  

Here's what you'll learn in this episode: On this episode of the Power of MoMMA’s Voices Podcast, Nicole speaks with Brace Gibson from the Colorado Perinatal Care Quality Collaborative (CPCQC). Brace explains how her desire to make a difference in maternal health outcomes stems from her own lived experience with severe preeclampsia during her first pregnancy and her experience being compounded by the exceptional life circumstances of being 16 years old. She additionally experienced postpartum OCD and PTSD. Now, Brace serves as the Director of Policy and Engagement for the CPCQC.  The CPCQC has many initiatives to improve the maternal health outcomes in Colorado, and Brace explains some of them, specifically the Family Integration to Restore Trust Program, otherwise known as FIRST. She also explains the importance of Perinatal Quality Collaboratives, or PQCs. Finally, Brace and Nicole chat about the MoMMA’s Voices’ Community of Learning and how it has benefitted the CPCQC.   Here's a glance at this episode... “I'm never not amazed by the impact that lived experience integration has on patients, that it has on family members, providers, and care teams.” “We're doing the work of addressing sources of care disparities through partnerships of care, and it's absolutely evident now that the role of the patient advocate can be leveraged to build alliances and facilitate shifts in practice and in culture.” “It's my belief that PQCs are well positioned to amplify patient voices and to facilitate more equitable partnerships between patients and clinicians, to ultimately improve care and outcomes.” “The community of learning sessions were incredibly rewarding. Sharing space with other lived experience experts and just having opportunities to learn with and from other PQCs, I found to be invaluable.” Click here to listen! Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts Come join the Power of MoMMA's Voices family and don't forget to leave us a review! By showing your love, you'll help other moms out there discover how they can use their voice too. It only takes a few clicks – just head here, rate with five stars at the bottom of page then share what was most meaningful for you about this episode. Your support really does make all the difference—thank you!   Links mentioned in this episode: https://cpcqc.org  

In this must-watch podcast episode, Nicole Purnell, MoMMA's Voices Program Director, speaks about something we all need to hear - having a culture of acceptance. As someone who has experience in quality improvement projects, Nicole stresses the importance of listening and being open to those with lived experience. She reminds us that when people feel accepted and valued, great things can happen. So take a few moments to listen to this powerful message and let it inspire you to create a more accepting and inclusive world. Here's what you'll learn in this episode: What is "Culture of Acceptance" Why it is critical when working with patients in QI projects Click here to listen! Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts Come join the Power of MoMMA's Voices family and don't forget to leave us a review! By showing your love, you'll help other moms out there discover how they can use their voice too. It only takes a few clicks – just head here, rate with five stars at the bottom of page then share what was most meaningful for you about this episode. Your support really does make all the difference—thank you! Links mentioned in this episode: MoMMA's Voices LEI View Culture of Acceptance Slides  About MoMMA's Voices MoMMA’s (Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Advocates) Voices is the first-ever maternal health patient advocacy coalition established in 2018, to amplify the voices of people who have experienced childbirth complications or loss - especially those who have been historically marginalized - ensuring they are equipped and activated as partners with providers and researchers to improve maternal health outcomes. This is a program of the Preeclampsia Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and is supported by a grant through Merck for Mothers. For more information, visit mommasvoices.org and preeclampsia.org. ​

Power of MoMMA’s Voices this week highlights certified Patient Family Partner and MoMMA’s Voices Community Specialist, Judith Francis. Judith shares her birth stories including, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes and how her experiences led her to her passion and mission to spread the message that preeclampsia is not over at delivery. She also talks about the MoMMA’s Voices Patient Family Partner training and some of her advocacy work and engagements.  Here's a glance at this episode... “I feel like there's something that I can do and that this is what my purpose is." “We’re constantly being told that preeclampsia is something that… goes away after birth, and I'm a strong advocate that it does not.” “Through training, you're taught not to dismiss those pains, but just to let your voice overcome the pain.” “You will get the courage one day to just get up and say, okay, this is a day that I'm gonna do it. And each time you speak, just remember that it's a possibility that you're saving lives, you're saving a mom's life, you're saving a baby life.” Click here to listen! Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts Come join the Power of MoMMA's Voices family and don't forget to leave us a review! By showing your love, you'll help other moms out there discover how they can use their voice too. It only takes a few clicks – just head here, rate with five stars at the bottom of page then share what was most meaningful for you about this episode. Your support really does make all the difference—thank you!    

In this episode of Power of MoMMA’s Voices, we have a special episode to commemorate Amniotic Fluid Embolism Awareness Day. Nicole Purnell interviews Miranda Klassen, an AFE survivor and the founder and executive director of the Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE) Foundation. Her passion for raising awareness of AFE was created from her own experience, which she shares in this podcast. She also explains the mission of the AFE Foundation and some of the life-changing programs that the foundation is involved with including, education, research, the AFE registry (which is the largest in the world), and support groups. “We do a lot of things to support our community. They're so very special to us,” said Miranda. Miranda also discusses meaningful volunteerism and the role that MoMMA’s Voices plays. The conversation concludes with a discussion of AFE Awareness Day and the tradition of lighting a candle on March 27th.  Here's what you'll learn in this episode: “We as a community embrace one another, despite whatever the outcome is, where we have grievers and survivors that get together…” (Miranda)  “I think some of the biggest wins we've had have been having a space where families can go and have hope.” (Miranda)  “…being able to connect with others that really understand the shoes that you're walking in. They've worn their own. They've worn them down. There might be on their second pair. But they understand what it's like.” (Nicole)  Click here to listen! Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts Come join the Power of MoMMA's Voices family and don't forget to leave us a review! By showing your love, you'll help other moms out there discover how they can use their voice too. It only takes a few clicks – just head here, rate with five stars at the bottom of page then share what was most meaningful for you about this episode. Your support really does make all the difference—thank you! Links mentioned in this episode: AFE Foundation  

In this episode of MoMMA’s Voices, Emily Taylor speaks with Dr. Christina Davidson and Patient Family Partner, Trashaun Powell about the Patient Safety Toolbox. Created as a collaboration of many perspectives including, physicians, nurses, midwives, and the lived experiences of MoMMA’s Voices, the toolbox explains how to incorporate “health equity into all quality and patient safety projects.” Trashaun and Dr. Davidson also discuss how patients should advocate for themselves and use their voices.  Here's what you'll learn in this episode: “Because I think as the healthcare team, we're just thinking medically-- what do we need to do? And I think this has really opened our eyes and broadened the perspective…” (Dr. Davidson) “There was a panel of patients with lived experiences, and I always found that to be one of the most impactful components of the entire session.” (Dr. Davidson) “Using my mom voice was really a natural part of who I became after losing Mia.” (Trashaun P.) “To be a part of this engagement… It's really powerful. It really, it really is. It's connection, it's resources, it's friendship, it's community.” (Trasuan P.)  Click here to listen! Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts Come join the Power of MoMMA's Voices family and don't forget to leave us a review! By showing your love, you'll help other moms out there discover how they can use their voice too. It only takes a few clicks – just head here, rate with five stars at the bottom of page then share what was most meaningful for you about this episode. Your support really does make all the difference—thank you!   Links mentioned in this episode: SMFM Learning Promise Walk for Preeclampsia

Eleni Tsigas, CEO of the Preeclampsia Foundation, talks about her personal experiences that drive her passion. Eleni further discusses the important work the Preeclampsia Foundation is engaged in, including the 10th anniversary of the Preeclampsia Registry and how it is impacting research. Also, covered is the future of maternal care and the Preeclampsia Foundation’s impact on it, including the growing Cuff Kit program, and the new initiative, the Take 10 campaign. Launching soon, Take 10 will work with partners to increase diverse representation of all people in the registry. Here's what you'll learn in this episode: Ways to become involved with the Preeclampsia Foundation Exciting Preeclampsia Foundation programs Important things that can be done to improve preeclampsia care in the US Click here to listen! Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts Come join the Power of MoMMA's Voices family and don't forget to leave us a review! By showing your love, you'll help other moms out there discover how they can use their voice too. It only takes a few clicks – just head here, rate with five stars at the bottom of page then share what was most meaningful for you about this episode. Your support really does make all the difference—thank you!   Links mentioned in this episode: Preeclampsia Foundation The Preeclampsia Registry

Patient Family Partner, Huda A., speaks about her birth story including preterm birth, cardiac arrest, hypertension, bleeding, clotting, respiratory effects, and amniotic fluid embolism. She also talks about her recovery and advocacy including working with an MMRC (Maternal Mortality Review Committee), a PQC (Perinatal Quality Collaborative), the Amniotic Fluid Embolism Foundation, and how she was pivotal in establishing AFE Awareness Day. Here's what you'll learn in this episode: “I have no memory of waking up. I didn’t know that I even had a baby…9 years later and I have no memory of that at all.” “How it is literally ok to not be ok, while feeling blessed to be alive.”  “I highly recommend the moment that you feel like you are someone who can advocate for yourself and for others.”  Click here to listen! Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts Come join the Power of MoMMA's Voices family and don't forget to leave us a review! By showing your love, you'll help other moms out there discover how they can use their voice too. It only takes a few clicks – just head here, rate with five stars at the bottom of page then share what was most meaningful for you about this episode. Your support really does make all the difference—thank you!   Links mentioned in this episode: AFE Foundation

Patient Family Partners, Amanda Quillin and Emily Liczbinski discuss their experiences as “context experts” working with Catherine Mather, a Senior Project Director at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), on a patient safety bundle. IHI partners with the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) to create Patient Safety Bundles. The bundles suggest actionable changes to improve maternal health outcomes.  Here's what you'll learn in this episode: --“It was a little emotional, honestly, it was a proud moment…it meant a lot.” (Amanda Q.) --“I honestly got chills …To have it validated in writing was an amazing feeling.” (Emily L.) --“Amanda and Emily’s input was invaluable…we had a much stronger product thanks to their thought, leadership, and guidance…” (Catherine M.) Click here to listen! Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts Come join the Power of MoMMA's Voices family and don't forget to leave us a review! By showing your love, you'll help other moms out there discover how they can use their voice too. It only takes a few clicks – just head here, rate with five stars at the bottom of page then share what was most meaningful for you about this episode. Your support really does make all the difference—thank you!  

Welcome to Power of MoMMA’s Voices! Our mission is simple: encourage and empower mothers everywhere with their collective 'mom voice' for the improvement of maternal health. Join us on this amazing journey as we uncover the stories, dreams, and aspirations behind our powerful team members in Episode 1. Believe us when say it will be life-changing--so turn up your speakers - because here's where transformation begins! Here's what you'll learn in this episode: Why the MoMMA's Voices team is passionate What MoMMA's Voices has to offer How MoMMA's Voices can help you Click here to listen! Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts Come join the Power of MoMMA's Voices family and don't forget to leave us a review! By showing your love, you'll help other moms out there discover how they can use their voice too. It only takes a few clicks – just head here, rate with five stars at the bottom of page then share what was most meaningful for you about this episode. Your support really does make all the difference—thank you!   Links mentioned in this episode: MoMMA's Voices Website MoMMA's Voices Events and Replays Lived Experience Integration Score