Second annual Perinatal Conference declared a success 11.14.25

November 14, 2025

Second annual Perinatal Conference declared a success

MOBILE, Ala. — The second annual Perinatal Conference took place on Nov. 7 at USA Health Providence Hospital’s DePaul Center. The event was organized by the Alabama Department of Public Health’s Region IV Perinatal Coordinator Csierra Payne, RN, and the Mobile County Health Department’s Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Coordinator Yvonne Baynard, RN.

“The second annual Perinatal Conference in Mobile united highly energized professionals and community leaders who are deeply dedicated to advancing equity, education, and community support for improved birth outcomes,” said Dr. Kevin Michaels, Health Officer for Mobile County. “Participants connected, collaborated, and engaged in meaningful discussions focused on innovative solutions for maternal and infant health, clinical quality improvement, and equitable access to care across lower Alabama.”

Participants in attendance included local maternal care providers, nurses, physicians, social workers, and members of the Case Review Team (CRT) and Community Action Team (CAT) representing counties in Region IV which includes Baldwin, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe, and Washington counties.

Their topics and those taking part included Cherrite Peterson, Ed.S, MS-ALC — Sexually Transmitted Infections; Dr. Candice Holliday, MD, OB-GYN — Pregnancy Complications (Pre-Eclampsia); Samatha Fields, BSN, RN and Sarah Givens, BSN, RN — Heros4Mom; Deirdre Johnson — Substance Abuse in Pregnancy; Dr. Candice Knight, PhD, RN — Nurse Family Partnership; Dr. Diksha Shrestha, MD, Neonatology — Cardiac Issues in Neonates; Alexandria Marshall, BSN, RNC-OB, CLD, CCE — The Role of Doulas in Improving Maternal and Newborn Outcome; and Ms. Baynard – FIMR Data.

Mobile County’s FIMR data and statistics were reviewed along with a summary of activities completed in 2025. Ms. Baynard said the conference was a tremendous success with more than 75 attendees, including several vendors. The collective passion of attendees reflects a statewide commitment to giving every family the opportunity for a healthier future.

The FIMR Program, also known as the Alabama Baby Coalition, was established in 1998 to identify critical community strengths and weaknesses, as well as unique health and social issues, associated with poor outcomes of pregnancy. The program is a community-based statewide initiative designed to enhance the health and well-being of women, infants, and families through the review of deidentified data related to fetal (stillbirth) and infant deaths. The data is derived from various resources including medical records, prenatal visits, care coordination, and voluntary maternal interviews.