Overview

The Kentucky Perinatal Quality Collaborative (KyPQC) and the Kentucky Maternal Morbidity and Mortality (KyMMM) Task Force, in partnership with Kentucky AWHONN, ACOG, and Frontier Nursing University, are proud to host the 2025 Kentucky Symposium for Maternal and Infant Outcomes. This year’s theme, “Team Kentucky Birth,” reflects a shared commitment to collaborative, team-based care that improves outcomes for birthing people and infants across the Commonwealth.

The Symposium is designed to provide cross-disciplinary education and foster collaboration among perinatal care providers, social service professionals, administrators, payers, researchers, policymakers, community organizations, and individuals with lived experience. The agenda includes keynote presentations, panel discussions, simulation-based learning, and sessions focused on maternal mental health, substance use disorder, sepsis, and maternal cardiac conditions. Highlights include a keynote on the power of team-based care, a panel on building resilient support systems for new mothers, and simulation labs such as the Sepsis Escape Room and Hypertension Simulation hosted by the KyMMM Task Force and HealthForce KY. Hot topic sessions will address birth centers, Kentucky abatement funds, and the “Big 3” contributors to maternal mortality.

The KyPQC continues to lead statewide quality improvement initiatives in partnership with birthing hospitals, while the KyMMM Task Force expands outreach to community stakeholders and supports evidence-based strategies aligned with recommendations from the Kentucky Maternal Mortality Review Committee. The Symposium will also feature an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding contributions from clinical, community, and nursing leaders, including honors from KyPQC, KyMMM, and Kentucky AWHONN.

 

Simulations (open to only in-person attendees) 6 spots per hour is all that is available 

Disclaimer: All simulations conducted within this environment will be recorded for training and quality assurance purposes. By registering and participating, you acknowledge and consent to being recorded. Your participation implies agreement to the use of these recordings for analysis, improvement, and development of future training programs.

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Speakers

Wendy Hansen, MD


Associate Professor Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Kentucky College of Medicine
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Tiffany Thompson-Strouth, DO, FACOOG


Obstetrician-Gynecologist Pikeville, Medical Center Pikeville, Kentucky
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Monica Lee-Griffith, MD, MBA, FACOG


CEO ImpactMed, LLC Orlando, Floorida
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Cathy Collins-Fulea, DNP, CNM, FACNM, FAAN


Assistant Professor Frontier Nursing University Versailles, Kentucky
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Katie Stratton, MS


Program Administrator, KY-Moms MATR Division for Behavioral Health Frankfort, Kentucky
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Ashlee Tayler Peck, LPCC, PMH-C


Lead Therapist Bloom Pathways, Inc Ashland, Kentucky
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Lyndsey Neese, MD, MMM, CPE, FACOG


Practicing Physician, Obstetrics and Gynecology Norton Healthcare Louisville, Kentucky
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Alexa Scisney


Founder and Executive Director Granny's Birth Initiative (GBI) Louisville, Kentucky
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June Madden, BSW, CLC


Maternal Child Nursing Navigator Hazard ARH Hazard, Kentucky
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Ilhem Messaoudi, PhD


Professor and Chair Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics University of Kentucky, College of Medicine Lexington, Kentucky
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Tracy Vogel, MD


Director of the Perinatal Trauma-informed Care Clinic Allegheny Health Network Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Lori Devlin-Phinney, DO, MHA


Associate Professor, Pediatrics/Neonatology University of Louisville School of Medicine Louisville, Kentucky
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Connie White, MD, MS, FACOG


Deputy Commissioner, Clinical Affairs Kentucky Department for Public Health Frankfort, Kentucky
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Matt Belcher, MPA


Branch Manager, Child & Family Health Improvement/Population Health Maternal & Child Health (MCH) Division Kentucky Department of Public Health Frankfort, Kentucky
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Audrey Summers, MD


Assistant Professor Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences University of Louisville Louisville, Kentucky
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Monica Clouse, MPH, CPH


Program Manager Kentucky Perinatal Quality Collaborative (KyPQC) Lexington, Kentucky
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Samia Habib


Program Manager Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine University of Kentucky HealthCare Lexington, Kentucky
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John O'Brien Jr, MD


Chair of the State KY MMM Task Force Medical Director for Labor and Delivery University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky
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Bethany Wilson, APSS


Peer Support Specialist University of Kentucky PATHways Program Lexington, Kentucky
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Kevin Scalf, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, CNEcl


Department Chair, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Department Frontier Nursing Versailles, Kentucky
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Jeffrey Jones, MD, FACOG


Assistant Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky
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Victoria Burslem, MSN, CNM, APRN, CNE(cl), FACNM


Faculty Frontier Nursing University Versailles , Kentucky
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Hilary Surratt, PhD


Associate Professor Department of Behavioral Science University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky
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Brianna Henderson


Founder & CEO LetsTalkPPCM Texas
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Ann Coker, PhD, MPH


Professor of Epidemiology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Director and Endowed Chair, University of Kentucky Center for Research on Violence Against Women Lexington, Kentucky
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Cynthia Cockerham, RN


Community Program & Research Director Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky
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Karen Damron, PhD, RN


Dean, College of Nursing and Human Services University of Pikeville Pikeville, Kentucky
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Cheryl Parker, DNP, CRNA, RNC-OB, FAANA, FAWHONN


Director of Nurse Anesthesia Program University of Louisville Louisville, Kentucky
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Deborah Karsnitz, DNP


Professor Frontier Nursing University Versailles, Kentucky
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Stephanie Kehler, PhD, RN, CHSE, SANE


Assistant Professor Director of Clinical Simulation and Learning Center University of Kentucky College of Nursing Lexington, Kentucky
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Jimmy Carter


Mayor Pikeville, Kentucky
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Accreditation

In support of improving patient care, University of Kentucky HealthCare CECentral is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

CME

This live activity is designated for a maximum of 14 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

IPE Competencies

  • Values/Ethics for Interprofessional Practice
  • Roles/ Responsibilities
  • Interprofessional Communication
  • Teams and Teamwork

CPHCE

University of Kentucky College of Public Health certifies that this educational activity was designated for 18 hours of Public Health Continuing Education (CPHCE) credit. This course is approved for continuing education by the University of Kentucky College of Public Health. ()

EMS

The Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services (KBEMS) certifies that this educational activity is designated for 14 KBEMS contact hours.

ASWB ACE

As a Jointly Accredited Organization, UK HealthCare CECentral is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. UK HealthCare CECentral maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 14 clinical continuing education credits.

CNE

The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 14 nursing contact hours.

CCHW

This training is approved by the Office of Community Health Workers Program to provide 14 continuing education units for Certified Community Health Workers.

Acknowledgement

Kentucky Perinatal Quality Collaborative (KyPQC)

The Kentucky Perinatal Quality Collaborative (KyPQC) is a statewide initiative that brings together perinatal care stakeholders to improve maternal and infant health outcomes through data-driven quality improvement. KyPQC partners with birthing hospitals to implement evidence-based practices, hosts educational webinars, and shares timely resources to support clinical excellence. Its annual meeting serves as a platform for collaboration, innovation, and recognition of outstanding contributions to perinatal care.

Kentucky Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Task Force (KyMMM)

The Kentucky Maternal Morbidity and Mortality (KyMMM) Task Force is a grant-supported, inclusive work group focused on reducing maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity across the state. The Task Force engages both clinical and community stakeholders, supports evidence-based initiatives, and responds to recommendations from the Kentucky Maternal Mortality Review Committee. KyMMM emphasizes addressing social determinants of health and amplifying the voices of those with lived experience to drive meaningful change.

AWHONN- Kentucky Section

The Kentucky Section of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) is a professional community dedicated to empowering and supporting nurses who care for women, newborns, and families. With over 230 members across the state, Kentucky AWHONN promotes excellence in nursing practice through education, advocacy, and research, and plays a vital role in advancing maternal and infant health outcomes. https://kentucky.awhonn.org/

ACOG – Kentucky Section

The Kentucky Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) represents a leading voice in women’s health, advocating for evidence-based clinical practices and policies that improve maternal care. ACOG Kentucky brings together obstetricians and gynecologists across the state to promote professional development, patient-centered care, and collaborative solutions to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.

Frontier Nursing University

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) is a nationally recognized leader in graduate nursing and midwifery education, with a mission to serve rural and underserved communities. FNU prepares nurse-midwives, nurse practitioners, and psychiatric-mental health professionals to deliver compassionate, community-focused care. As a key partner in the Symposium, FNU contributes expertise in rural health innovation and team-based care models.