The 2024 Maternal Health Symposium held June 20, 2024 was another successful educational and networking event for more than 100 of Georgia’s maternal health providers, educators, advocates and students. The symposium provided continuing medical education (CME) credits and continuing nursing education (CNE) credits.
This year’s topic was “The Maternal Health Care Team.”
Six speakers with diverse maternal health care expertise presented at the event.
R. Edward Betcher, MD, FACOG
Professor and Chairman of OB/GYN, Physician Leader for Women’s Health, Atrium Health Navicent, Mercer University School of Medicine
Watch: The Maternal Health Care Team
Dr. Betcher emphasized the importance of the professionally trained team. The team includes physicians and providers during pre-conception, pregnancy and postpartum, especially in rural Georgia.
Anthony Kondracki, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Community Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah Campus
Watch: Pregnancy-Related Maternal Mortality in the State of Georgia: Timing and Causes of Death/Improving the Health of Women in Georgia
Dr. Kondracki’s presentation showed the maternal mortality trends in rural and urban counties as well as how the social determinates of health and their outcomes.
Stephanie Dare Singleton MD, FACOG
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Mercer Medicine Putnam County, Eatonton
Watch: How Does Fertility Fit?
Dr. Singleton’s presentation reviewed the in vitro fertilization journey, those who seek IVF services, and the multiple specialty providers who have a role.
Keisha Callins, MD, MPH
Inaugural Sandra Dunagan Deal Rural Service Fellow Award, Joy McCann Endowed Professorship/Mercer University School of Medicine; Physician, Community Health Care Systems, Gray & Jeffersonville
Watch: Practicing Care — Compassion, Attitude, Resiliency, Empathy
Dr. Callins focused on how trust between providers and patients is foundational in establishing healthy patient relationships. She emphasized how compassion, kindness, and empathy are important in the delivery of patient care and the acceptance of care and compliance by patients.
Patricia Prime, RN, MBA, CPD
Prime BabyTime Consulting, Owner; Registered Nurse, Postpartum Doula and Certified Breastfeeding Consultant
Watch: Postpartum Concerns, Resources and Supports
Prime shared the journeys of mothers and families and examples of the importance of support and encouragement for mothers and babies to have a successful and healthy postpartum period.
Misti Patel, MD, FACOG
Maternal Fetal Medicine, Maternal Medical Director, Macon Regional Perinatal Center, Affiliated with Atrium Health Navicent Maternal Fetal Medicine
Watch: Maternal Fetal Medicine and the Regionalization of Care in Georgia
Dr. Patel discussed how specialized perinatal services are organized and deployed. She gave an overview of strategies and how services may be made available to women in rural communities.
Save the Date
2025 Maternal Health Symposium: When the Unexpected Happens
June 26, 2025 | Mercer University, Macon Campus