West Virginia Perinatal Partnership

Committee on Shortage of OB/ Maternity Care Providers

Chair
--Angelita Nixon, CNM , WV ACNM

Members
--Melissa Wheeler, Director, Division of Recruitment, DHHR
--Martha Endres, Division of Recruitment, Special Projects Coordinator, DHHR
--Alicia Tyler, HEPC
--Duane F. Napier, MSN, RN, BC, WV Center for Nursing
--Emma White,  RN, Spencer, WV
--Dottie Oakes, RN, MSN, CNA - Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive, WVU Hospitals, Inc.

Advisor
--Jennings Starcher, Data Mapper, WV Health Care Authority

Staff 
--Cinny Kittle, MS, WV Hospital Association
--Terri Blizotes, RN, MPH, WV Primary Care Association

Volunteer to serve on this Committee

Shortage of Obstetrical Providers

The Perinatal Partnership is continuing its work to improve access to maternity care.  In 2007 when the initial study on maternity providers was completed, we found that close to 86 percent of West Virginia women have adequate and timely prenatal care. However, a lack of access to maternity care services was identified as a major barrier for many women in rural areas of the state. Both the Key Informant Survey of 2006 and the data analysis reports included in the  Reports on the Blueprint to Improve Perinatal Health identified many of the issues that contribute to poor access.  Among these are:

• a decline in the number of hospital and birthing facilities
• the location of birthing attendants
• a change in type of maternity providers
• the cost of medical liability insurance

Resources

To hear and see a presentation by the Committee on the Shortage of OB Providers, click here.  You will need to enter this password: 123456   If you have problems viewing this presentation, please contact Terri Blizotes, RN, MPH, Program Director of the WV Primary Care Association. Email: Terri@WVPCA.org  Phone: 304-346-0032  

Map showing Total W. Va. Resident Births by County 2000-2004