Leading the way to more
equitable maternal health care

Learn about the work of five visionaries who are focused on addressing maternal health disparities

Read a Q&A with each of these scholars, practioners and leaders in maternal health equity.

Rebecca Polston, Certified Professional Midwife
Roots Community Birth Center
Lauren A. Smith, MD, MDH
CDC Foundation
Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, MD, M.Ed
SVP and chief clinical officer of diversity, equity and inclusion, Highmark Health
Rahni Jenkins, Vice President, Mission Operations
March of Dimes
Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, Ph.D, MPH
Center for Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice, Tufts University

Top Ten Maternal Health Equity Actions

These key insights inform our work to transform maternal health care.

Latest Stories

See how we're actively working to address racial disparities.

    Maternal Health

    We are dedicated to ensuring that every mom gets the care she needs and that every baby has a healthy mom. Because your health shouldn't depend on the color of your skin or the neighborhood you live in. Read more to learn what BCBS companies are doing to help local communities through greater access to doulas, food and nutrition services, mental health resources, and more.

      Meet Our Advisory Panel

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      Founder
      Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, PHD, MPH, CHES
      Center of Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice
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      American Diabetes Association®
      TRACEY D. BROWN
      CEO
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      Professor of Healthcare Ethics
      MARSHALL CHIN, MD, MPH
      University of Chicago
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      CEO
      GILBERT DARRINGTON
      Health Services, Incorporated
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      CEO
      Dr. Tollie B. Elliott, Sr
      Mary’s Center
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      Research Associate Professor
      ADAEZE ENEKWECHI, PHD, MPP
      George Washington University
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      Tenured Associate Professor
      RACHEL R. HARDEMAN, PHD, MPH
      University of Minnesota
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      CEO
      RICHARD TAYLOR
      ImbuTec®
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      Senior Vice President
      Terri Wiggins
      American Diabetes Association
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      CEO
      American Diabetes Association®

      Tracey D. Brown is Chief Executive Officer of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the nation’s largest voluntary health organization and a global authority on diabetes.

      Brown joined the ADA in June 2018 after her tenure as senior vice president of operations and chief experience officer at Sam's Club, a division of Walmart, Inc., where she was responsible for creating meaningful member experiences, directing member strategy, marketing and branding, go-to-market execution, data and analytics, and membership operations.

      Brown brings more than 25 years of experience in driving global business growth, leveraging data to connect consumers with brands and creating omni-channel experiences to escalate customer loyalty. Prior to joining Sam’s Club, Brown was chief executive officer and managing director of RAPP Dallas, a data-driven integrated marketing agency. Before RAPP, she served as chief operating officer for direct marketing agency, Direct Impact, where she coordinated strategic, tactical and overall company operations. 

      Previously, Brown was director of worldwide consumer marketing for Advanced Micro Devices, where she drove global marketing and demand generation activity around the world, including China, India, Russia, France, Spain, Italy and Japan. Early in her career, she served in leadership positions at American Express, Proctor & Gamble and Exxon Mobil. 

      Brown earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Columbia Business School in New York and a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Delaware. 

      Brown, who lives with type 2 diabetes, recently served as a volunteer and fundraiser for the ADA in her local community. She joined the ADA’s National Board of Directors in January 2018, before transitioning to her new role as CEO. She and her family reside in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

      The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is a United States-based non-profit that seeks to educate the public about diabetes and to help those affected by it through funding research to manage, cure and prevent diabetes (including type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes and pre-diabetes). It is one of many non-profit organizations (American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen Foundation and American Heart Association) that have emerged as an official institution to the American public and is highly influential to the U.S. healthcare system and government.

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