CEL Story Feature: Maternal Community Health Club
Names: Julianne Huddleston and Nicole Theriault
Class: Long School of Medicine, Class of 2027
CEL Project: Partnering with Community First Health Plans, this 10-month program implements the health club model to provide social support and education to expecting mothers throughout the greater San Antonio area. Community health workers facilitate discussions of peri- and post-partum topics that participants have expressed interest in, engaging local professionals such as lactation consultants and doulas to enhance the women’s experience.
Partnering Organizations: Community First Health Plans is a non-profit organization that offers affordable healthcare coverage to families and individuals in the Bexar County area. In addition to coverage, Community First partners with several healthcare-related programs to provide resources to its members; these include lactation consultants and doula services for pregnant women. Through its efforts, Community First Health Plans is committed to improving health outcomes in San Antonio.
Interview with Julianne and Nicole
What was the motivation for this project?
The Maternal Health Club was founded in 2021 by a UT Health San Antonio medical student in order to provide maternal health education and social support to expectant mothers in San Antonio. Seeking to address the same need amongst its members, Community First Health Insurance partnered with medical students to create and implement the project. This program has grown since the pilot cohort of 12 women, with the latest club involving 24 active enrollees.
As you led/participated in this project, what surprised you most?
We have been most surprised by the level of commitment that the participating mothers have had in this program. Each gathering is filled with conversation, questions, and advice about the shared experiences of pregnancy and parenthood. We saw several mothers attend the club in-person just weeks after their deliveries, only to be greeted with support and excitement from the other members!
How has the project impacted you professionally and/or personally?
Health care is full of teamwork, and this project further emphasizes the importance of community engagement and partnerships. The combination of community health workers, medical students, and other specialists has created a collaborative environment that is fully dedicated to improving the lives of women and their support systems as they experience this major milestone.
What are we hearing from community partners?
Looking forward, the Maternal Health Club plans to initiate a Spanish-speaking cohort and hopes to engage more community partners that will supplement the program. We also aim to involve student leaders from various professional schools at UT Health San Antonio. Finally, we would love to create a curriculum for partners of the women in our club that caters to supporting women during peri- and post-partum stages.