Maternal & Family Health Services Held Inaugural Education Seminar Members News June 19, 2025 On June 12, more than 100 healthcare professionals, advocates, and community leaders from across northeastern and central Pennsylvania gathered at the Hilton Scranton for the first-ever Regional Maternal Health Coalition Educational Seminar, hosted by Maternal and Family Health Services (MFHS) in partnership with The Institute. The seminar marked the official launch of the Regional Maternal Health Coalition (RMHC), a multi-county initiative designed to address maternal health disparities and improve maternal health outcomes through local collaboration. The event brought together 110 registrants representing at least 14 counties and a wide array of organizations, including healthcare providers, public health agencies, academic institutions, nonprofits, and community advocates. The seminar focused on the Coalition’s five priority areas, aligned with the Pennsylvania Maternal Health Strategic Plan, and served as the first step in building a unified regional response to pressing maternal health challenges. Notable speakers and attendees included: Dr. Maria Montoro Edwards, President & CEO, MFHS Jill Avery-Stoss, President, The Institute Sara Goulet, Special Advisor to the PA Secretary of Human Services Dr. Aasta Mehta, Director, Division of Maternal, Child, and Family Health, Philadelphia Department of Public Health Dr. Marc Rabin, MFHS and Physicians Health Alliance Dr. Amanda Flicker, Lehigh Valley Health Network Dr. Imanni Sheppard, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Claudia Streets Cramer, Maternal Health Advocate Representative Bridget Kosierowski, PA 114th District Attendees had the opportunity to hear expert presentations, share ideas, and contribute to the development of strategies that will drive local action and advocacy moving forward. Resources from the event, including speaker presentations, are available at mfhs.org/rmhc.
