On Thursday, January 23, 2025, Commissioner Donna Miller hosted the inaugural meeting of the FIRST Regional “Maternal Health and Morbidity Task Force,” bringing together public health officials, policymakers, and healthcare advocates from across the region to address the urgent maternal health crisis affecting communities across the country, including Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, and Will Counties.
This pioneering task force included notable attendees such as DuPage County Board Member Paula Deacon Garcia, Lake County Board Member Marah Altenberg, Kane County Board Members Myrna Molina and Cherryl Strathmann, and Will County Board Member Mica Freeman, along with local health officials from DuPage, Will, and Kane Counties. Additionally, the virtual meeting featured presentations from Christina Urbina, Business Service Line Director for Cook County Health’s Women and Children unit, and Brightpoint’s Director of Education and Child Development Services, Amy Sloan-Gray. Brightpoint’s Doula Program Supervisor Jasmine Martin and Vice President of Early Childhood Education Mendy Smith also joined the discussion, emphasizing collaborative strategies to improve maternal health outcomes.
“The maternal health crisis demands immediate and coordinated action,” said Commissioner Donna Miller, who convened the Task Force. “As leaders, we have the responsibility to ensure that every mother, regardless of her ZIP code, has access to quality care and resources. This task force is an essential step toward addressing disparities and improving outcomes for mothers and families in our communities.”
The Task Force is focused on reducing maternal mortality rates and addressing inequities that disproportionately impact communities of color. “We are looking forward to linking arms to see how we can pull together strategies, not just for Cook County, but for the entire state of Illinois,” said Christina Urbina, Director of Cook County Health’s Women and Children’s Unit. “For women and children’s services, the goal is to have a seamless collaboration for coordinated care.” Director Urbina added, “Trust is a big factor in women coming, seeking care in a timely manner, and where they choose. We really want to be a provider of choice.”
Amy Sloan-Gray from Brightpoint underscored the importance of a united effort: “Sometimes, as a doula, you’re the only person in that room with a family or a woman giving birth. You can only imagine how scary that would be if they didn’t have anybody else with them.” She added, “Standing beside them to advocate for their own healthcare needs is really important. Whether it is a teen mother, a teen family, or a minority family, encouraging them to advocate for themselves is vital.”
The meeting provided a platform for members to share data, resources, and innovative approaches to maternal health care. The Maternal Health and Morbidity Task Force also explored legislative priorities and funding opportunities to support these initiatives.
For more information on the FIRST Regional Maternal Health and Morbidity Task Force and how to get involved, please contact Commissioner Donna Miller’s office at [[email protected] or 773-848-0501].