Maternal Health Expo Celebrates Healthy Pregnancy, Safe Birth and a Positive Start in Life for Bronx Mothers and Families

Helping new and expectant moms in the Bronx have healthy, safe pregnancies took center stage during a successful Maternal Health Expo held in honor of Black History Month and hosted by Montefiore Einstein and our partner, Empire BlueCross BlueShield.

The Bronx historically has had a high infant and new-mother mortality rate, which makes it even more important to highlight proper nutrition and healthcare for expectant mothers and those who are considering pregnancy.

“We want families to know that we are here to help lessen health disparities for women and babies in the communities Montefiore Einstein serves,” said Alma P. Idehen, MS, EdD, Co-Director, Bronx Healthy Start Partnership, Montefiore Einstein, and Principal Associate, Department of Family and Social Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Attendees at the free expo, held at the newly opened La Central YMCA in the heart of the South Bronx, heard from a panel of experts on women’s and infant health and learned about all the resources Montefiore Einstein devotes to expectant and first-time moms, their partners, infants and growing families. The goal was to ensure that attendees and their families had the information and access necessary to have healthy pregnancies, safe births and a positive start to the first years of life.

“To have the experts in front of you, to ask them questions in real time—that was invaluable,” said attendee Ambar Paulino.

Montefiore Einstein’s Office of Community Relations Manager Jade Foster moderated an informative panel of experts. Panel speakers included professionals from Montefiore Einstein’s Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine; Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women’s Health and Family and Social Medicine; Montefiore Medical Group; Community Health Outreach; and the Office of Community and Population Health, along with doulas from Ashe Birthing Services and MyLÚA Health.

Expo supporters New York State Assembly Member Chantel Jackson and Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson also were in attendance to help celebrate Black maternal health in the Bronx and beyond.

“Every mom in the room is a first-time mom,” said Heather A. Archer-Dyer, MPH, CHES, Assistant Professor, Family and Social Medicine, Director, Community Health Outreach (DFSM), Director, Community-Based Service Learning (ODE), and Faculty Lead, Diversity and Culturally Responsive Care (ICM Selective), Albert Einstein College of Medicine. “They were connected to so many services and resources. They’re excited to go back to their communities and pass on the word. That’s really special.”

Contributing to the celebratory atmosphere, B Blossom Catering treated attendees to delicious, healthy food and mocktails geared toward promoting healthy pregnancies. Jessie Marrero Photography offered free maternity photo sessions to the first 20 women to register for the expo.