Rural Perinatal Access
Lack of accessible perinatal services is a significant and worsening problem for rural NM communities. The vast majority of births occur in hospitals, but rural NM hospitals serving thousands of square miles of territory have discontinued birthing services or are at risk of permanently discontinuing these services. Currently, over one-third of NM counties have no birthing facilities, or nurse-midwives or physicians available who attend births. Increased distance to care is associated with poor maternal and newborn health outcomes.
The UNM Rural Perinatal Access Grand Challenge Team is a multidisciplinary group of researchers, perinatal care providers, and community partners who seek to address the significant challenges to rural birthing access and the availability of supportive clinical and wrap-around services through collaborative research with affected rural communities. The team’s overall objectives are to provide communities, healthcare institutions and policy-makers with data and analysis to support appropriate levels and models of service delivery for improved maternal and newborn outcomes.
Conveners
Abigail Reese, PhD, RN, CNM, College of Nursing
Trevor Quiner, MD, MSc, Dept. of OB-GYN, School of Medicine
Members
Nicolle Arthun, MSN, RN, CNM, FACNM
Kate Cartwright, PhD, MPH, School of Public Administration
Margaret Greenwood-Ericksen, MD, MSc, Dept. of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine / Center for Health Policy, College of Population Health
Francheska S Gurule, MD, Dept of Family & Community Medicine, School of Medicine / NM Perinatal Collaborative
Katie T. Kivlighan, PhD, CNM, FACNM, College of Nursing
Connie Liu, MD, PhD, Gallup Community Health
Marnie Nixon, MA, LM, CPM, School of Medicine, Office of Community Health
Carolina Nkouaga, MPH, LM, CPM, Interim Executive Director of Changing Woman Initiative
Sharon L. Ruyak, PhD, CNM, FACNM, College of Nursing
Pilar Sanjuan, PhD, Dept of Family & Community Medicine, School of Medicine
Research Questions
- What are the barriers to rural perinatal service provision in New Mexico and what is the impact on rural NM communities?
- What are promising solutions and approaches to access challenges that are grounded in NM cultures and established workforce, including Indigenous and local innovations?
- What are the opportunities to implement rural health policies that support the sustainability of essential local services?
Contact
Email: Abigail Reese
