August Final Newsletter #5

N E W S L E T T E R # 5

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A U G U S T

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Town Hall Recap On June 15, Westchester County hosted its 5th Birth Equity Respectful Care Town Hall at the Westchester County Center in White Plains. Led by Hon. Jewel Williams-Johnson, Westchester County’s Chair of the Health Committee, and Dr. Cheryl Brannan, STSI Founder & Birth Equity Convener, the event brought together healthcare leaders, community partners, and elected officials to highlight progress in advancing respectful, patient-centered maternity care and reaffirm a shared commitment to safe, equitable birth experiences for all families.

Useful Links

Save The Date!

Maternal Health Town Hall Agenda & Objectives

The Next Birth Equity & Respectful Care Town Hall

Westchester Black Maternal and Child Center of Excellence Website

Tuesday, November 17, 2026

2:00–5:00 PM Westchester County Center

Community Partners COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Best Practice Sharing

Dr. Mzimeli Morris, MD, FACOG, Director of Labor & Delivery at NY Presbyterian Westchester Hospital, shared best practices demonstrating that standardized devices and clinical interventions have helped reduce postpartum hemorrhage.

Link to View Slideshow Presentation

Dr. Mzimeli Morris, MD, FACOG, Director of Labor & Delivery at NY Presbyterian Westchester Hospital

Community Partner Spotlight

Samantha Banerjee, Executive Director of Push for Empowered Pregnancy, shared updates on proposed legislation supporting leave after pregnancy loss and the postpartum period, along with the organization's maternal health data dashboard.

Link to View Slideshow Presentation

Samantha Banerjee, Executive Director of Push for Empowered Pregnancy

Maternal Health Legislation

Legislator and Vice Chair of the Board, Hon. Terry Clements shared that a group of Westchester County legislators has submitted a proposal seeking to provide paid leave for mothers recovering from stillbirth.

This remains a hope and an aspiration to explore what can be legislated so women are not forced to return to work while still healing physically and medically. Some employers in Westchester already provide this benefit, demonstrating that such support is both possible and necessary.

The proposal treats stillbirth leave as a maternal health and health-equity issue— not simply bereavement—and recognizes that recovery requires time, dignity and economic security.

Hon. Terry Clements

TeamBirth Update

Cheryl Hunter Grant, MSW, STSI Maternal Health Management Consultant, presented on TeamBirth in the Community, highlighting how the TeamBirth model at St. John’s Riverside Hospital has improved communication and shared decision-making between patients and care teams. She shared that birthing outcomes have significantly improved since the program's launch, advancing safer, more equitable maternal care.

Link to View Slideshow Presentation Link to View Westchester County TeamBirth Video

Cheryl Hunter Grant, MSW, STSI Maternal Health Management Consultant

We're Proud to Introduce Our Newest Community Partner: NICHQ and Dr. Stacy Scott!

Dr. Stacy Scott, PhD, MPA, CSJ, the Vice President of NICHQ, spoke on how NICHQ is teaming up with STSI to help hospitals and local communities support each other, allowing for moms and babies in Westchester County to get better, more connected care.

Link to View Slideshow Presentation

Dr. Stacy Scott, PhD, MPA, CSJ, the Vice President of NICHQ

Community Partner Event: WMC OB/GYN Symposium

Join us for the Westchester Medical Center (WMC) OB/GYN Symposium Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026 Time: 11:00 AM–3:30 PM Location: Taylor Conference Center We look forward to seeing you there!

Click the Image Above to Register!

Recognizing Birth Equity Leaders

Presented by Dr. Cheryl Brannan and Legislator Jewel Williams-Johnson

Hon. Legislator Jewel Williams-Johnson, Westchester County Board of Legislators Chair, Health Committee

Dr. Cheryl Brannan, STSI Founder & Birth Equity Convener

Cheryl Hunter Grant, MSW, STSI Maternal Health Management Consultant

Beryl Weaver, MS, WBMCCE Management Consultant & Community Liaison

Erica Williams Woodley, RN, MSN, NP CCM-BC NICHQ, Community Engagement Coordinator & Project Manager

Jennifer Jones, Senior Public Health Specialist. WCDHAdministration

J o i n u s f o r t h e 6th Bir th Equit y Town Hall

Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2026 Time: 2:00–5:00 PM Location: Westchester Count y Center Registration will open soon, so be on the lookout!

We look forward to seeing you then!

SPONSORED BY SISTER TO SISTER INTERNATIONAL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

WESTCHESTER COUNTY BOARD OF LEGISLATORS, HON. JEWEL WILLIAMS-JOHNSON, HEALTH COMMITTEE CHAIR WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE, HON. KEN JENKINS WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, DR. SHERLITA AMLER, COMMISSIONER WESTCHESTER COUNTY OFFICE FOR WOMEN, CATHERINE BORGIA, ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND VARIOUS COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Westchester County Office For Women, Catherine Borgia, Acting Exec. Director

PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS: HON. JEWEL WILLIAMS-JOHNSON, DR. CHERYL BRANNAN, CHERYL HUNTER-GRANT, BERYL WEAVER & ERICA WILLIAMS-WOODLEY

WESTCHESTER COUNTY PARTNERS WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WESTCHESTER COUNTY OFFICE FOR WOMEN WESTCHESTER COUNTY YOUTH BUREAU

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