Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies: How Univera Healthcare Is Fighting Rising Maternal Health Risks

BUFFALO, NY – Univera Healthcare believes every mother deserves a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery.

Complications during childbirth have risen more than 30% nationwide, and according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications—nearly 80% of which can be prevented.

 That’s why as a local nonprofit, Univera Healthcare is committed to changing these outcomes through quality measures, innovative clinical programs, and strong community partnerships that ensure timely, equitable care for moms and babies.

Community Partnership in Action – Healthy Mom and Baby Program at Gerard Place

 Univera Healthcare awarded Gerard Place a three-year Member and Community Health Improvement (MACHI) Grant in 2023 to support families through its Healthy Mom and Baby Program. This impactful initiative is guided by three core principles: empower, transform, and opportunity. The program provides new and expecting mothers with social, emotional, and medical support—helping them gain confidence, transform their circumstances, and create new opportunities for themselves and their children.

 One client’s story shows the heart of this mission. Ms. W., a mother of five, has faced the challenges of substance abuse for most of her motherhood. The cycle of addiction led her to lose contact with four of her children. But over the past year, she committed to sobriety and being fully present for her 4-year-old son.

 For Ms. W., involvement in the Healthy Mom and Baby Program has been life changing. Initially guarded and unsure, she began attending weekly sessions and soon became an active participant. Through the program’s curriculum, she has found strength and hope.

 Recently, Ms. W. shared how she “never does anything for herself” and “everything she does is for her son.” Working with Gerard Place, they created a Mommy Self-Care Plan, giving her, and other moms who shared the same sentiments, a tangible way to sustain their well-being. This plan has given her confidence and optimism for a brighter future.

 “The Healthy Mom and Baby Program reflects Gerard Place’s commitment to empower, transform, and create opportunity. By providing social, emotional, and medical support, we help mothers like Ms. W. reclaim hope, strengthen families, and build a foundation for brighter futures. Every story of resilience reminds us why this work matters,” said David Zapfel, Chief Executive Officer, Gerard Place.

 Stories like Ms. W.’s reflect the purpose of Gerard Place’s Healthy Mom and Baby Program: restoring equity and creating healthier households through empowerment and support.

Why It Matters

 By partnering with community-based organizations like Gerard Place, Univera Healthcare is helping address maternal health disparities and provide critical support for families who need it most. Gerard Place’s Healthy Mom and Baby Program offers a lifeline for new and expecting mothers through social, emotional, and medical resources—empowering them to build stability and create healthier futures for their children.

 Univera Healthcare’s support for programs like this goes beyond health coverage; it’s about strengthening communities and addressing the social factors that impact health. When families have access to housing, education, and emotional support, they’re better equipped to thrive.

 “Health isn’t just about medical care—it’s about stability, support, and opportunity,” said Lorna Fitzpatrick, M.D., vice president of medical affairs at Univera Healthcare. “Partnerships like this help remove barriers and give families the tools they need to succeed.”

 Our Approach: Driving Better Outcomes

Univera Healthcare uses HEDIS quality measures, which are a set of standardized performance metrics used across the healthcare industry to evaluate how well health plans and providers deliver care. They’re developed by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and are widely recognized as evidence-based benchmarks.  

For maternal health, these measure help Univera Healthcare trace and improve critical aspects of care for moms and babies, such as:

• Prenatal & Postpartum Care: Early visits and timely follow-up after delivery

• Immunizations: Tdap during pregnancy

• Mental Health: Postpartum depression screening

 To turn quality measures into real care, Univera Healthcare supports:

• Bright Beginnings: Nurse care managers and pharmacy support for high-risk pregnancies

• Doula Support: Emotional and physical support for pregnant members

• Community Partnerships: Expanding access to maternal care in urban and rural areas

 “Maternal health impacts all of us. Together, we can ensure care that’s equitable and high-quality,” said Dr. Fitzpatrick.

Learn more about Univera Healthcare programs that support healthy pregnancies, safe deliveries, and strong families by visiting univerahealthcare.com.