Bridging the Gap: Designing a Doula Certification Program to Tackle Racial Disparities in Maternal Health

Overview

As a Future Public Health Leaders Scholar through Kaiser Permanente, I collaborated with a team of peers and learned from leading public health professionals representing organizations such as the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, King County Health Department, Fred Hutch Research Institute, University of Washington, and Kaiser Permanente Washington. As part of the program, I was part of a team of four other Black women, and together, we focused on addressing racial disparities in maternal health, particularly the disproportionate impact on Black women, who face significantly higher risks and complications during childbirth. In this role, I co-designed and presented the NextGen Doulas Certification Program, a community-centered initiative aimed at improving maternal health outcomes in BIPOC communities. This out-of-classroom experience allowed me to strengthen my teamwork skills, deepen my understanding of budgeting and resource allocation, and gain valuable insight into the complexities of addressing public health challenges.

Here’s the poster my group and I created for our project, which we proudly presented as part of the final piece of our work

Personal Importance of Work

This experience connected deeply to my passion for addressing health inequities and advocating for marginalized communities. As someone who has witnessed the systemic barriers faced by BIPOC individuals in accessing quality healthcare, I was motivated to contribute to a solution that could improve maternal health outcomes. Working as part of a group reinforced the importance of collaboration and diverse perspectives in creating impactful solutions. This work also aligned with my broader goal of pursuing a career in public health to create systemic change. By focusing on the intersection of race, gender, and healthcare, I gained a deeper

understanding of how structural inequities impact health outcomes and how community-centered programs like NextGen Doulas can drive positive change.

Tasks Accomplished

Conducted literature research and data analysis on racial disparities in maternal health as part of a collaborative effort
In order to address maternal health disparities in BIPOC communities, I assisted in the creation and introduction of the NextGen Doulas Certification Program, a training program for high school and community college students.
Contributed to the development of program materials, including training modules, resource guides, and a detailed budget plan.

Leadership Competencies Gained

a. Collaboration

This experience improved my ability to collaborate well with others in a group. It was important to communicate clearly, actively listen, and be open to incorporating different points of view when working with peers. When designing the NextGen Doulas program, for instance, I collaborated extensively with my team to make sure it catered to the unique requirements of BIPOC communities. I learned how crucial it is to establish trust and promote candid communication in order to accomplish common objectives.

b. Critical Thinking

I developed my critical thinking skills by analyzing complex data on maternal health disparities and identifying actionable solutions. For instance, I evaluated existing doula programs and researched best practices to design a program that addressed specific gaps in care for BIPOC women. This experience honed my ability to synthesize information and make evidence-based decisions.

c. Advocacy

Through this project, I learned how to advocate for underserved populations by presenting research findings and program recommendations to stakeholders. I effectively communicated the urgency of addressing maternal health disparities and the potential impact of the NextGen Doulas program. This experience reinforced my commitment to being a voice for those who are often marginalized in healthcare systems.

d. Cultural Competence

Designing a program for BIPOC communities required a deep understanding of cultural nuances and systemic barriers. I engaged with community members to ensure our program was inclusive and respectful of their experiences. This experience deepened my cultural competence and highlighted the importance of centering community voices in public health initiatives.

e. Initiative

I demonstrated initiative by taking ownership of key aspects of the project, such as leading the development of program materials and coordinating presentations. This experience taught me the value of being proactive and resourceful in driving projects forward.

Lessons I learnt

My knowledge of the structural injustices in maternity healthcare and the effectiveness of community-centered solutions has grown as a result of this experience. Working as part of a group underlined the value of teamwork and varied viewpoints in designing successful programs. I intend to use the leadership skills I acquired—like advocacy, teamwork, and critical thinking—in future public health projects. With these abilities, I hope to create and carry out initiatives that enhance the health of underserved populations locally and internationally. I'm motivated to keep fighting for a time when everyone has access to affordable, first-rate healthcare because of this experience.

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