On May 4, 2026, the McSilver Institute teamed up with managed care provider AmeriHealth Caritas and the Greater New York Chapter of The Links, Inc. to produce a live video podcast titled “After Birth, Aftercare, Afterthought: The Fourth Trimester.” The goal of the podcast is to build stronger, more responsive support systems for new mothers.
Award-winning journalist Julee Wilson hosted the two-part recording session that brought together a distinguished group of speakers from around the country — maternal health experts, advocates, individuals with lived experience, and policymakers — to discuss postpartum wellness and mental health, warning signs, family advocacy, and policy. The two episodes of the podcast, currently in post-production, will be packed with practical advice and innovative solutions.
The first episode will feature Dr. Lucinda Canty, Founder, Lucinda’s House; Dr. Thomasena L. Ellison, Associate Director of Gynecology, Maimonides Medical Center; Saleemah J. McNeil, Founder, Oshun Family Center; Dr. Dilice Robertson, Director of Psychiatric Mental Health, Nurse Practitioner Program at the NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing; and Shakira Williams-Linzey, Director of Maternal Infant Health for the NY/NJ Market, March of Dimes. As birth care providers, medical practitioners, or leaders with unique insight into healthcare systems, the noted experts discussed the basics of postpartum wellness and mental health, as well as key warning signs, patient advocacy, and the ways our current systems can fail parents and children.
The second episode will feature Gabrielle Albert, Board Vice Chair and Executive Director, 4KIRA4MOMS; Danielle Jean Brooks, Director of Quality Health Equity, AmeriHealth Caritas; Brad M. Edwards, Program Strategist, Dear Fathers; Tonya Lewis Lee, Award-Winning Fimmaker, Author, Women’s Health Activist, Co-Director and Co-Producer, Aftershock; and Eboni K. Williams, Author, Attorney and Award-Winning Host, Holding Court With Eboni K. Williams. Their dynamic conversation connected the dots between traumatic lived experience, public health policy, and the resilience of communities.
Make sure to stay connected with the McSilver Institute to receive updates on this groundbreaking project on maternal health policy and supports for new mothers.
Learn more about McSilver’s previous podcast offerings
Read the full bios of our host and guests, learn more about the lead sponsors and community partners, and find informative resources about the perinatal period:
Speaker Bios and Resources