HRSA Awards Codman Grant to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes

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midwife with pregnant patient

Codman is pleased to announce that it has been selected as one of only 35 health centers in the country, and the sole health center in Massachusetts, to receive a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for the Fiscal Year 2023 Quality Improvement Fund-Maternal Health. This prestigious grant provides essential funding to support CSHC’s mission of improving the health outcomes of patients at the highest risk of maternal morbidity and mortality.

“At Codman Square Health Center, we are acutely aware of the urgent need to address maternal health disparities and reduce the alarming rates of maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly within the Black community,” said Sandra Cotterell, CEO of Codman Square Health Center.

Codman, a federally qualified health center, serves a diverse patient population of approximately 23,500 individuals. Within our patient population, 94% identify as racial or ethnic minorities, including 81% Black, African American, or Afro-Caribbean, and 11% Hispanic or Latino. Additionally, approximately 20% of our patients prefer a language other than English, with many being recent immigrants from Haiti or the Caribbean. These factors contribute to acute disparities in maternal health within our service area.

In response to these needs, Codman developed the innovative and patient-centered Pregnancy Equity Accelerator for Codman Health (PEACH) project to address the disparities in our community, particularly among Black and minority communities. PEACH aims to transform our prenatal and postpartum care by implementing care that is individualized and responsive to our community’s maternal health needs.

Under the PEACH program, Codman will create pregnancy groups based on gestational age, starting early in the first trimester and continuing throughout the pregnancy. Families interested in ongoing care will also have access to a postpartum support group in this format. Our interdisciplinary team of certified nurse midwives, family medicine physicians, residents, and support personnel will provide comprehensive care that addresses our patients’ physical health needs and psychosocial well-being.

Collaborating with behavioral health clinicians, nutritionists, community health workers, case managers, and family planning counselors, we will provide holistic support for a woman’s journey toward optimal maternal health. Trusted community partners such as WIC, Baby Café, Birth Sisters, Healthy Baby Healthy Child, and ABCD will share resources and support our maternal health group cohorts to enrich our program.

Patient and community engagement are fundamental to the PEACH program. “We are grateful to our federal partners for developing the Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis and to Congress for investing historic funding in agencies such as HHS and HRSA,” added Sandra Cotterell, CEO of Codman Square Health Center. “With this HRSA funding, we will continue to work tirelessly to reduce disparities, provide culturally sensitive care, and empower our patients to thrive throughout their pregnancies and beyond.”

At Codman Square Health Center, our commitment to advancing maternal health and eliminating disparities in our community is unwavering. The HRSA grant will allow us to significantly improve our patients’ prenatal and postpartum health. We are thrilled to embark on this transformative journey and eagerly anticipate sharing our progress with the broader health community.