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May 2025
Volume 11 | Issue No. 96
Missouri ranks 44th, among the lowest in the
nation, for maternal health outcomes. And
when it comes to maternal mortality, more
than 70% of those deaths were deemed to
be preventable, according to the state's
Pregnancy Associated Mortality Review
(PAMR). Two organizations are joining forces
to address maternal and infant health
outcomes in the Kansas City area—Samuel
U. Rodgers Health Center and Altruism
Media, Inc. (dba Altruism, Inc.).
Through this partnership, birthing people will
have access to perinatal and community
doulas throughout their pregnancies
and after they give birth. Many of these
individuals would not otherwise be able to
afford or gain access to doula services.
Doulas are non-clinical professionals who
provide emotional and physical support to
a pregnant person from the time they learn
they are pregnant until at least one-year
postpartum.
"This partnership allows Sam Rodgers
and Altruism to truly provide closed-loop,
wraparound care to women and birthing
people who need it the most, said Tonia
Wright, founder and CEO of Altruism, Inc. "
Sam Rodgers, a federally qualified health
center with community roots that penetrate
nearly 60 years, offers prenatal and
postpartum care for pregnant women and
birthing people, coupled with pediatrics,
behavioral health, WIC, dental, community
health worker support, among many other
services.
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"What's great about this partnership is that pregnant women come
to one place to get all of their maternal health needs met. They'll
go through one door for doula services. And just a few steps away
they have access to obstetric care, pediatrics, WIC, and dental
services. We are creating a new model for maternal health care
that is specifically designed to mitigate adverse outcomes when
these women give birth at one of our area hospitals."
- Janelle Harvey Jordan,
Chief Operating Officer at Sam Rodgers
