NeighborHealth Convenes Statewide Leaders to Advance Maternal Health Equity Across Massachusetts
Elected officials, clinicians, and community advocates gathered at the Massachusetts State House to highlight solutions to improve outcomes for families across the Commonwealth
BOSTON, MA (June 25, 2026) – Saúde do Vizinho brought together elected officials, clinicians, maternal health advocates, and community leaders at the Massachusetts State House on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, for “Community Maternal Health: Strengthening the Delivery of Care,” a forum focused on identifying community-driven solutions to improve maternal health care outcomes for families and reduce inequities across Massachusetts.
Led by Mimi Gardner, MPH, LICSW, Vice President and Chief of Community Partnerships and Health Impact at NeighborHealth, and sponsored by Massachusetts Senator Liz Miranda, the event addressed persistent challenges in maternal and perinatal health, including rising rates of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and inequities across race, geography, and socioeconomic status. Throughout the morning, speakers highlighted actionable strategies to strengthen care delivery, expand access, and ensure more equitable outcomes across the Commonwealth.
“This important conversation honors the voices of birthing people across Massachusetts, whose experiences continue to guide this work,” said Gardner. “Together, doulas, midwives, public health leaders, and policymakers are advancing solutions to ensure every family is heard, valued, and supported with the care they deserve.”
Participants also reviewed community-informed recommendations aligned with ongoing legislative priorities, including strengthening the maternal health workforce and advancing reimbursement pathways for doulas and midwives to support safe, respectful, and equitable care.
The convening featured remarks and participation from local and statewide leaders including:
- Senator Liz Miranda, 2nd Suffolk District, Massachusetts
- State Representative Marjorie Decker
- Kiame Mahaniah, Massachusetts Secretary of Health and Human Services
- Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission
- Michael Curry, President and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers
- Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, Center for Maternal Health Advancement, Tufts University
- David Seltz, Executive Director, Massachusetts Health Policy Commission
“We know the disparities. We know the data. We know the solutions. The question is: What will it take to fully commit to maternal health equity?,” said Senator Miranda. “Black and Brown women continue to face unacceptable barriers to safe and respectful care. If we are serious about changing outcomes, we must invest in community-led solutions, listen to those most impacted, and ensure that equity is at the center of every policy decision we make.”
“Every mother deserves dignity, and together we can build a system that truly listens and cares,” said Dr. Amutah-Onukagha. “By leading with equity and compassion, we can create a future where every family thrives – rooted in justice and joy.”
The event underscored the importance of community-led solutions in shaping policy, fostering alignment between community priorities and state-level efforts to advance maternal health equity for families across Massachusetts.
NeighborHealth continues to lead this work through innovative, community-centered models of care and partnerships that expand access and strengthen maternal health services across the Commonwealth.
Senator Liz Miranda, maternal health equity leader, addresses the crowd, accompanied to the left by Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health, Boston Public Health Commission and Brianna Rosa, legislative aide.
State Representative Marjorie Decker of Cambridge highlights maternal health equity issues in her district, alongside David Seltz, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission.
NeighborHealth Ob/Gyn Medical Director Dr. Monica Mendiola engages with the speakers, alongside Dr. Sue Ghosh, Director, Women’s Health Initiatives, NeighborHealth.
(From left to right) Mimi Gardner, Vice President, Chief of Community Partnerships and Health Impact, NeighborHealth; Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, Center for Maternal Health Advancement, Tufts University, present flowers to Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and Executive Director, Boston Public Health Commission after the event.
Speakers pose with a homemade quilt presented as a gift to Governor Healey: (from left to right) Mariah Sabir, Grounded MAMA; Mimi Gardner, NeighborHealth; Dr. Julio Mazul, NeighborHealth; Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, Tufts University; Jamie Hazard, NeighborHealth; Dr. Kiame Mahaniah, Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services; Emily Anesta, Bay State Birth Coalition; David Seltz, Massachusetts Health Policy Commission; Rosemary Raymundo, NeighborHealth; Nashira Baril, Neighborhood Birth Center; Cindy Cruz, Harbor COV; Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Boston Public Health Commission; and Michael Curry, Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers.
Sobre NeighborHealth
O NeighborHealth, anteriormente East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, é um dos maiores Centros de Saúde Federalmente Qualificados (FQHCs) do país e o maior sistema de saúde de atenção primária baseado na comunidade em Massachusetts, atendendo mais de 120.000 pessoas e reconhecido pela Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) como um Líder Nacional de Qualidade. Por mais de 50 anos, o NeighborHealth ofereceu acesso a cuidados primários abrangentes, cuidados especializados e cuidados de emergência para pacientes na Comunidade. Em uma fusão inédita em 2020, o East Boston Neighborhood Health Center uniu forças com o South End Community Health Center e expandiu os serviços para pacientes que vivem e trabalham nos bairros South End e Roxbury de Boston. Com quase 2.000 funcionários, o NeighborHealth defende modelos de atendimento inovadores para preencher ativamente as lacunas de equidade em saúde em nossas comunidades de baixa renda e imigrantes com serviços exclusivos de outros provedores de saúde em nosso estado. Para obter mais informações, visite www.neighborhealth.com.
CONTATO COM A MÍDIA:
Julia Covelle
781.507.3120
