On this page: video, photos, speaker bios, and more.
Top New York legislators leaders in government, academia, health care, and maternal health advocacy took the stage for “Saving Lives, Shaping Policy” on October 24 to dig into the root causes of the crisis in Black maternal health in New York, while State and City elected officials discussed their efforts to address the issue through legislation, in the recent past and going forward.
“Saving Lives, Shaping Policy” was the latest public forum hosted by the NYU McSilver Institute focused on maternal health issues within communities we serve. Attendees were joined for opening remarks by New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins; New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams; New York City Chief Equity Officer and Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice Commissioner Sideya Sherman; the Greater New York Chapter of The Links, Incorporated President DeNora Getachew; as well as NYU McSilvers Executive Director Rose Pierre-Louis.
The first panel of the morning focused specifically on underlying issues and ongoing concerns that impact the quality of and access to maternal healthcare, particularly here in New York City. The discussion — moderated by author, journalist, and NYC Commission on Gender Equity member, Eboni K. Williams — included Dr. Leslie A. Hays, Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Family & Child Health at the New York City Department of Health; Dr. Sascha James-Conterelli, Program Director of Nurse-Midwifery at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing; Dr. Cyrus McCalla, Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology at One Brooklyn Health; Dr. Dilice Robertson, Clinical Associate Professor at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing; and Dr. Natasha J. Williams, Associate Professor in the Department of Population Health and Institute for Excellence in Health Equity.
New York City and State elected and government officials took the stage for the second panel, to discuss the ongoing legislative efforts to address specific maternal care issues, while sharing intimate personal stories that inspired and helped drive those efforts. New York State Senators Samra G. Brouk and Lea Webb, Assembly Members Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn and Michaelle C. Solages, New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis, and NYC Her Future Executive Director Nathifa Forde provided insight into the process of moving forward key legislative priorities and urged advocates to keep playing their critical role outside of government.
Video Recording
Catch up with a full video recap
Watch both panels as well as special introductory remarks in the player above or at the McSilver Institute’s YouTube channel.
In Pictures
Selected photos from this event
A selection of photos taken at this event is available to browse or download from this Google Photos gallery. All photos are credited to David Paul/NYU McSilver.
Speaker Bios & Resources
In-depth resources and speaker bios
Find additional information about speakers and panelists, relevant legislation, research, news articles, community organizations, and this event’s co-sponsors:
What They’re Saying
Press release and additional commentary
“As a Black mother and grandmother, addressing the alarming racial disparities in maternal mortality is deeply personal to me,” said New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who opened the event with comments Thursday. The NYU McSilver Intitute’s Executive Director Rose Pierre-Louis said, “Far too many families in our communities are living the painful realities that underlie the statistics.”
More quotes and analysis from event participants and leading voices are available in the official announcement for media:
Community Co-Sponsors and Organizational Partners
Special thanks to all the partnering organizations that made this event possible:
- The Links Incorporated New York Chapter
- NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice
- National Action Network
- NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing
- New York Urban League
- One Brooklyn Health
- NYC Commission on Gender Equity
- NYC Her Future
- NYU Silver School of Social Work
- Columbia School of Social Work