A new collaborative initiative
On June 25, the Indiana Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA) hosted its inaugural “Realize and Revitalize: Embracing Maternal and Child Health” symposium, bringing together healthcare providers and stakeholders from across the state for a full day of learning, collaboration, and action.
Held at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis, the one-day event focused on improving the quality of care that women and infants receive through an integrated care lens, one that includes medical, dental, behavioral health/substance use, and nutritional perspectives.
The day began with powerful opening remarks from Dr. Lindsay Weaver, MD, FACEP, Indiana State Health Commissioner, who highlighted the importance of multi-disciplinary collaboration to address disparities and improve maternal and infant health outcomes statewide.
One of the event’s most anticipated moments was the Fireside Chat with Indiana Governor Mike Braun, who spoke candidly about the state’s priorities for maternal and child health. He emphasized the need for upstream investment, early intervention, and the value of community health centers in reaching underserved populations.
Attendees had the opportunity to hear from a diverse lineup of speakers, engage in panel discussions, and explore strategies for strengthening coordinated care systems. The symposium emphasized that advancing maternal and child health requires more than just clinical care; it demands a unified approach that addresses the full spectrum of social, physical, and emotional needs.
Kudos to the IPHCA Clinical Integration Team for organizing this magnificent event; a true testament to the power of collaboration, vision, and commitment to Indiana’s families.
This event is passed, but you can view some of the presentations - please see below for links,
or click here to see in our resource center.
Location
Agenda
8:00 - 9:00 am
Check-in and Breakfast
9:00 - 9:15 am
Welcome
9:15 - 9:30 am
Opening Remarks
Lindsay Weaver, MD, FACEP, State Health Commissioner
9:35 - 10:35 am
State of the State - Maternal and Child Health
Eden Bezy, MPH, Assistant Commissioner
- This State of the State presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of maternal and child health trends, challenges, and opportunities across the state of Indiana. It will highlight current initiatives, key partnerships, and impactful data to inform and inspire collaborative action. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of the state's strategic direction and priorities for improving outcomes for mothers, infants, and families.
- View this slide presentation:
Powerpoint
PDF
10:40 - 11:00 am
Fireside Chat with Indiana Governor Mike Braun
11.05 am - 12.50 pm
High-Risk Pregnancy and Low Birth Weight
Dr. Lauren Dungy-Poythress, MD
Dr. Jo Ann E. Matory, MD
- Preterm birth and fetal growth restriction are two complications often associated with high-risk pregnancies. This lecture will discuss high-risk pregnancy factors that may be associated with low-birth-weight infants. We will also discuss the neonatal care of low-birth-weight infants and the complications they may experience.
- View Dr. Dungy-Poythress's slide presentation:
Powerpoint
PDF - View Dr Matory's slide presentation:
Powerpoint
PDF
12.05 - 1.20 pm
Lunch
1:20 - 2:20 pm
The First 1000 Days of Life: Community-driven opportunities for Healthcare and Oral Healthcare provider collaborations
Dr. Tammy Gierke Button, DDS, MSD
- The first 1,000 days of life represent a critical window for lifelong health. During this period, oral health is deeply interconnected with overall well-being, influencing pregnancy outcomes, early childhood development, and long-term systemic health. Despite its significance, oral healthcare is often overlooked in prenatal and early pediatric care.
This presentation will explore the role of community-driven oral health initiatives in improving maternal and infant health outcomes, drawing upon evidence-based strategies and interdisciplinary collaboration. By highlighting innovative programs, this discussion will showcase how home visitors, community health workers, as well as health care providers can deliver oral health education and primary prevention during the first 1000 days of life.
This presentation will also address how medical-dental integration, culturally responsive care, and public health partnerships can reduce disparities and improve access to care. - View this slide presentation:
Powerpoint
PDF
2:30 - 3:30 pm
Trusting Our Instincts: Life-Saving Power of Keeping Mothers & Babies Together
Brooke Schaefer, FNP-C, CARN-AP, MBA, RN
- Trusting Our Instincts: The Life-Saving Power of Keeping Mothers and Babies Together explores substance use disorder (SUD) in pregnancy and the transformative impact of compassionate, evidence-based care. Drawing from both research and firsthand experience, this presentation emphasizes the critical importance of maintaining the maternal-infant bond—even in the face of addiction. It challenges outdated practices of separation and highlights the profound healing that happens when we trust the natural connection between mother and child. This is a call to rethink care models, reduce stigma, and embrace approaches that preserve dignity, foster recovery, and truly save lives.
- View this slide presentation:
Powerpoint
PDF
3:45 - 4:45 pm
Nutrition and Breastfeeding for Maternal and Infant Health and the Indiana WIC Program
Anna Thompson, MPH, CLS, CHES
Tonya Long, RD
- This session will provide an overview of nutrition and breastfeeding and related health outcomes for women and infants in the prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal period. It will explain the services and resources provided by the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program and ways that health care providers can partner with WIC to support optimal nutrition and health for these families.
- View this slide presentation:
PDF
4:45 - 5:00 pm
Wrap-Up and Final Comments
Ben Harvey, CEO, IPHCA
This event is brought to you by the IPHCA Clinical Integration team - consisting of representatives from the Clinical, Oral Health, Behavioral Health and Quality Improvement fields. We work together to provide technical assistance, create opportunities for learning and peer sharing across disciplines, offer guidance with whole-person approaches to care, and develop insight within our health centers around integrated care, to improve access and delivery of comprehensive care for all Hoosiers.
Accreditation Statement
In support of improving patient care, Indiana University School of Medicine is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Physicians
Indiana University School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 5.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Nurses
Indiana University School of Medicine designates this activity for a maximum of 5.00 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Social Workers
Indiana University School of Medicine has been approved by the Indiana Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist and Mental Health Counselor Board to provide Category I Continuing Education program. This activity qualifies for 5.00 Category I CEU as outlined by the Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board.
American Board of Surgery – ABS
"Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit."
