In conjunction with Maternal Health Awareness Day in New Jersey -- the first state to formally recognize maternal health, safety and mortality issues with an annual event -- we are partnering to host an interprofessional education series for all individuals involved in women's health and maternity care.

Join us from the convenience of your computer or smartphone via Zoom (go.rutgers.edu/MHAD2026).

Featured Sessions

Welcome

Archana Pradhan, MD, MPH

Interim Chair, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, and

Associate Dean for Clinical Education

Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Lisa Asare, MPH

President & CEO

N.J. Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority

In this special keynote address, Lisa Asare will explore key barriers to equitable maternal health care in New Jersey and examine the impact of perinatal mental health and cardiovascular disease on maternal outcomes. The session will highlight the importance of early identification, continuity of care, and postpartum follow-up, and will review state-level strategies to strengthen integrated care across the maternal health continuum.

PANEL DISCUSSION

Closing the Gaps:

Building Sustainable, Integrated Models for Maternal Health

Moderator:

Amy P. Murtha, MD

Dean

Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Panelists:

Julie Blumenfeld, DNP, CNM

Program Director for Nurse Midwifery and the

Dual Women’s Health/Nurse Midwifery Program

Rutgers School of Nursing

Emily Rosenfeld, DO

Instructor, Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Nancy Scotto-Rosato, PhD

Director of Maternal & Child Health

N.J. Department of Health

This session will highlight initiatives improving maternal health access, mental health support, and cardiovascular risk management, and will showcase integrated care models embedded in routine obstetric practice. It also will examine challenges in scaling evidence-based strategies and identify opportunities for cross-sector collaboration to improve maternal health outcomes.

Women's Health Accelerator Pitches

Naveena Yanamala, PhD

Section Chief, Clinical Research and AI Innovation, Department of Medicine

Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Jay Naik, MD

Vice Chair for Clinical Innovation, Department of Medicine

Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

The most promising teams from the 2025 Rutgers Health Hackathon Women's Health Track will present innovative solutions aimed at reducing barriers to maternal health care access, strengthening perinatal mental health support, and addressing cardiovascular risk in pregnancy and postpartum. Solutions focused on scalability and real-world impact of emerging technologies, care models, and service delivery innovations will be highlighted.

Closing Remarks

Gloria A. Bachmann, MD, MS

Associate Dean for Women's Health

Co-Director, Women's Health Institute

Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Access these seminars by clicking on the above button at the time of the event; via go.rutgers.edu/MHAD2026; or:

Via Zoom.com:

Meeting #: 930 9348 1706

Password: 193139

For Audio-Only Dial:

(646) 558-8656

Passcode #: 193139



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