2026 Maternal Health Summit Recap
2026 Maternal Health Summit Recap
The YWCA Lower Cape Fear, in partnership with the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) College of Health and Human Services, proudly welcomed healthcare professionals, public health leaders, educators, advocates, policymakers, researchers, and community members to the 5th Annual Maternal Health Summit: Before the Bump & Beyond. Together, participants explored innovative, equity-driven solutions to improve maternal health outcomes across the full continuum of care from preconception through postpartum.
The summit featured an inspiring keynote address by Dr. Khadijia Tribié Reid, MD, MPH, FAAP, pediatrician, public health leader, Board Member of The Endowment, and former Medical Director of MedNorth Health Center. Her keynote, Getting to Gold: What it Means to Champion New Life, challenged attendees to reimagine maternal and child health through equity, collaboration, and community-centered leadership.
Attendees also heard from an outstanding lineup of speakers, including Jacque Pitts, MSN, CNM, Women's Administrator for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, OB/GYN, OB/GYN Residency, and Midwifery at Novant Health, who served as Master of Ceremonies; Patricia T. Campbell, MBA, MSN, M.Ed., NEA-BC, FAAN, Director of Maternal and Infant Health at March of Dimes, who led plenary sessions on the current state of maternal health and collective action; Rebecca Ashley Severin, MPH, CPH, Co-Founder and Operations Director of RJ Squared, who facilitated concurrent sessions on operationalizing reproductive justice across the lifespan; and Juan Irby, Founder of Dad to Dudla, whose sessions highlighted the essential role of fathers and partners in improving maternal and family health outcomes.
During the Salome Taylor Luncheon, YWCA Lower Cape Fear proudly honored Louise Coggins, Chair of Lift Up the Vulnerable, and Frankie Roberts, Co-Founder and Executive Director of LINC, Inc., with the 2026 Salome Taylor Trailblazer Leadership Award. Their decades of service and unwavering commitment to advancing equity, strengthening communities, and improving the lives of families exemplify the spirit of the award and continue to inspire meaningful change throughout our region.
We invite you to explore the highlights from this year's summit through our photo gallery, videos, and event recap as we celebrate the conversations, partnerships, and leadership that continue to move maternal health forward. Thank you to our speakers, honorees, sponsors, partners, volunteers, and attendees for making the 2026 Maternal Health Summit a tremendous success.
Save the Date: Join us for the 2027 Maternal Health Summit on Thursday, April 15, 2027, as we continue building resilient families, strengthening communities, and advancing equitable maternal health outcomes for all.
