Commitment to Health Equity
SMFM’s mission, vision, and strategic direction recognize that success is dependent upon reflecting the diversity of the communities that MFMs serve. SMFM’s advocacy agenda prioritizes health equity and supports policy proposals that are aimed at eliminating health care inequities for high-risk pregnant people. Learn more about our work and get involved.
- WATCH. SMFM's 2022 Annual Meeting featured the first-ever Anti-Racism Special Interest Group. The goal of this now-annual event was to elevate scholarly work that focuses on eliminating racism and bias in maternity care; eliminating racial disparities in health outcomes; improvement in diversity, equity, and belonging in the subspecialty, SMFM, and in leadership. This event was made possible, in part, by support from, Roche.
- LEARN. SMFM is committed to building a diverse and inclusive membership and leadership cadre. Learn more about our members and what inspires their work in our Member Spotlight feature.
- SEE WHERE WE STAND. Read SMFM’s position statements and issue briefs: Telehealth: Opportunities to Increase Access to Quality Health Care and Advance Equitable Maternal Health, Diversity and Inclusion in Leadership and Racial Disparities in Health Outcomes, as well as our special statement, The Affordable Care Act's Foundation of Coverage: Essential Health Benefits are Essential.
- RECOGNIZE. Each year, SMFM recognizes a member who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership via the Mentorship in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award.
- SHARE. SMFM partnered with the National Birth Equity Collaborative to develop an infographic, "Strategies to Overcome Racism's Impact on Pregnancy Outcomes." Use the image on social media, in presentation slide decks, print it and hang it in your institution. References for the infographic can be found here. (April 2020).
- SHARE, SMFM revised its infographic, "Strategies to Provide Equitable Care During COVID-19." Use the image on social media, in presentation slide decks, print it and hang it in your institution. (November 2020).
- VOLUNTEER. We have a committee dedicated to diversity and inclusion in the workforce. Familiarize yourself with the charge of the committee and its members, and consider applying. Members only.
- MENTOR. Use our online Mentor Match to connect with a mentor or mentee across the country. Members only.
READ. SMFM and other national OBGYN organizations issued a joint statement on racism in medicine (August 2020)
- LISTEN. Dr. Jasmine Johnson, MFM fellow, discusses her research on racial disparities in pregnancy outcomes on our April 2020 podcast. Listen here:
LEAD. The application window for the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) has closed. SMFM thoughtfully designed and is launching our first-ever ELP. The goal is to develop a pipeline of diverse, inclusive, and representative leaders to ultimately participate in the formal leadership activities of SMFM (e.g., committee service). The ELP is targeted toward SMFM members who are 3-7 years post-MFM fellowship and is made possible, in part, by support from Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The program is free to participants, and all travel and accommodations for in-person meetings are covered, thanks to our generous sponsors. For more information and to apply, please click here or watch the video below. Questions? Contact SMFM's Director of Diversity. Equity, and Inclusion, Allison Wainick.
- What are your career & SMFM aspirational leadership goals? (150 words or less)
- Please share an example of a leadership experience of which are most proud. This does not necessarily have to be a formal role or title. (150 words or less).
- What skills do you hope to acquire from the program? (150 words or less)
- Please share examples of your involvement or interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion. (150 words or less)
We hosted a Zoom informational session on Monday, January 24. To view the recorded webinar on YouTube, click here.