Delta Health System Awarded HRSA Grant Funds For RMOMS

Iris Stacker, Delta Health System Chief Executive Officer, announced that Delta Health System was awarded funds by the Health and Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) through the Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health to support Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies Program (RMOMS).

Delta Health System is participating in the Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies Program grant in which the target population is pregnant Black women and girls between the ages of 13-45. This initiative will provide free access to remote patient monitoring equipment with mobile data included for the duration of the study which consists of blood pressure monitors, glucose monitors, and weight scales. Additional components include blood pressure checks at least twice a week, health assessments throughout pregnancy, mental health surveys throughout the program, free access to registered dieticians, information & resources to promote a healthy pregnancy & maternal well-being, free access to transportation services if needed and unlimited access to free virtual mental health and urgent care services.

“According to the Mississippi State Department of Health, Mississippi is seeing a rise of pregnancy-related deaths in which 80% were deemed preventable. This statistic is unacceptable, so Delta Health System is looking for viable solutions to save the lives of mothers and babies, especially with Black, non-Hispanic women who have a pregnancy-related mortality rate that is four times higher than White, non-Hispanic women. The RMOMS grant allows our team to begin monitoring and connecting with pregnant mothers to give them the resources and tools to have a healthy pregnancy and birth experience,” said Iris Stacker, Delta Health System Chief Executive Officer.

RMOMS was created because rural mothers were having difficulties receiving proper pre-natal care as well as hospital closures in smaller communities were increasing which has limited proper obstetric care and workforce. Locally, the RMOMS target population includes Washington, Bolivar, Coahoma, Issaquena, Leflore, Sunflower, and Sharkey Counties. Facilities include Delta Health System, South Sunflower Hospital, Bolivar Medical Center, and Delta Health Center.

“The grant allowed us to hire Tawanda Hurt, Community Outreach Specialist, to navigate and interact with the pregnant women so that they can use the resources available to them throughout their pregnancy. Tawanda will be extremely visible in communities to establish one-on-one relationships with the women with the goal of healthier pregnancies and births,” said Stephanie Patton, Delta Health System Executive Director of System Development.

“Our physicians, their staff and our employees believe it is our mission to provide excellent care allowing for the best outcomes possible. We do this with compassion, education, and respect,” added Stacker.