On March 5th, the Healthier Moms and Babies Infant and Maternal Mortality Conference at the Parkview Mirro Center became a hub of advocacy and education as over 300 attendees came together for a day of education and networking. This year’s theme, “Respectful Maternity Care,” underscored a vital truth: improving clinical outcomes begins with honoring the dignity and voices of every mother, father, and child in our community.

The energy in the room was palpable, particularly during the keynote from Charles Johnson, founder of 4Kira4Moms. Sharing his personal story, he called for systems-level change and birth justice that challenged us all to examine how our policies and local partnerships can better prevent maternal mortality. Throughout the day, sessions focused on actionable strategies, ranging from maternal mental health and preeclampsia prevention to safe sleep education, all aimed at eliminating health disparities across Indiana.

For those of us dedicated to community health, seeing such a large, diverse group of healthcare providers, doulas, and leaders come together was inspiring. The conference was more than an educational event; it was a collaborative extravaganza. SJCHF is happy to be a sponsor of the conference and we are thankful for all the sponsors who made the day possible. All walked away with a renewed commitment to ensuring that every family in our region receives the compassionate, high-quality care they deserve.