{"id":46,"date":"2026-01-26T01:26:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T01:26:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/msdcoe.masaiinteractive.net\/?page_id=46"},"modified":"2026-05-24T09:48:54","modified_gmt":"2026-05-24T09:48:54","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/msdcoe.masaiinteractive.net\/index.php\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"
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About the Mississippi Delta Center of Excellence in Maternal Health<\/b><\/h1>\n

The Mississippi Delta Center of Excellence in Maternal Health is an NIH\/NICHD-funded research center led by Jackson State University and supported through a seven-year cooperative agreement under the IMPROVE Initiative<\/a> (Grant No. 1U54HD113238-01<\/b>). The Center\u2019s mission is to prevent maternal mortality, reduce severe maternal morbidity, and promote health equity in partnership with the Mississippi Delta community using community-based participatory research.<\/p>\n

MSDCOE coordinates research projects, training initiatives, and community engagement activities focused on postpartum care, reproductive health, community-based support models, maternal health training research, and mental health. All activities are conducted under Institutional Review Board (IRB) oversight to ensure ethical research practices and participant protections (IRB number is Continuation Protocol # 0021-24-25-26)<\/i><\/b>. Through collaboration with community organizations, healthcare partners, and academic institutions, the Center contributes to a growing body of knowledge aimed at informing future maternal health research, policy, and practice.<\/p>\n

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Geographic Focus<\/strong><\/h1>\n

The MSDCOE focuses its research activities on 4 counties located in the Delta (Bolivar, Washington, Humphreys, and Carroll). Scott County is not located in the Delta.<\/p>\n

Selected counties represent maternal health deserts and a significantly higher number of births (18-45 years) based on 2022-2023 available data sources.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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AIMS<\/strong><\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE<\/h5>

The Jackson State University (JSU) \u2013\u00a0<\/span>Mississippi Delta Research Center of Excellence for Maternal Health was established\u00a0<\/span><\/i>to <\/span>address preventable maternal mortality, decrease severe maternal morbidity, and promote maternal health in partnership with the Mississippi Delta community<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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  • This research center will conduct two multi-layered research projects utilizing community health partners, inclusive of an extensive research training program for early-stage investigators, to address the interpersonal, policy, and systemic factors that affect maternal health and well-being in the state of Mississippi.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    \u00a0<\/p>\n

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    • By building strong, lasting community partnerships throughout the process, this research center aims to address barriers to high-quality, culturally competent postpartum maternal care and reduce maternal morbidity and mortality in the Mississippi Delta.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
      Why Do We Exist?<\/h5>
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      • Maternal mortality in the United States is higher than in peer nations and has not decreased since 1990. Beyond mortality, severe maternal morbidity impacts far too many women. Not only are these high rates alarming, but notable racial\/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities exist.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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        • These disparities are highly regional, with women living in the rural southeast part of the United States, including the Mississippi Delta, having the highest rates of maternal mortality and morbidity.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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          • Unfortunately, these disparities have persisted despite numerous interventions and programs, necessitating an <\/span>innovative multifaceted approach<\/span><\/i> focused on community practice, building trust, and prioritizing patient voices.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Therefore, the <\/span>JSU-\u00a0<\/b>Mississippi Delta Research Center of Excellence for Maternal Health<\/b>\u00a0 was established, <\/b>with the goal of addressing preventable maternal mortality, decreasing severe maternal morbidity, and promoting improvements in maternal health through partnership with the Mississippi Delta community.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

            The Collaborative (Partnering Institutions)<\/h5>

            2023-Present<\/b><\/h3>\n
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            • To achieve The Center\u2019s aims, we have brought together experienced teams with diverse expertise and perspectives, combining knowledge and resources from multiple institutions and non-profit community-based organization:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                • Jackson State University\/College of Health Sciences,\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Mississippi State Department of Health,\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health,\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
                • University of Mississippi Medical Center\/Obstetrics and Gynecology Department\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Alcorn State University\/School of Nursing<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Community Partners\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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                  Our Team<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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                  Leadership<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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                  \"Dr.<\/div>

                  Dr. Mary Shaw<\/h4>

                  Lead Principal Investigator<\/p>

                  Professor
                  <\/strong>JSU\/MSDCOE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  Multiple PI's<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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                  \"Dr.<\/div>

                  Dr. Mary Shaw<\/h4>

                  Lead Principal Investigator<\/p>

                  Professor
                  <\/strong>JSU\/MSDCOE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  \"Shirley<\/div>

                  Shirley Evers-Manly, PhD, RN, ADLN, FAAN<\/h4>

                  Principal Investigator<\/p>

                  Dean & Professor, School of Nursing
                  Alcorn State University<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  \"Dr.<\/div>

                  Dr. Henning Tiemeier<\/h4>

                  Principal Investigator<\/p>

                  Social & Behavioral Science
                  <\/strong> Harvard School of Public Health<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  Research Associates<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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                  \"Ms.<\/div>

                  Ms. Roshunda Sample<\/h4>

                  Director, Community Partners<\/p>

                  Consultant<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  \"Ebele<\/div>

                  Ebele Okoye<\/h4>

                  Senior Graduate Research Asst.<\/p>


                  <\/strong>JSU\/MSDCOE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  MSDCOE Staff<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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                  \"Andrea<\/div>

                  Andrea Kelly, MBA <\/h4>

                  Grants Budget\/ Finance Manager<\/p>

                  JSU\/MSDCOE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  \"Dr.<\/div>

                  Dr. Nelson Atehortua<\/h4>

                  Data Manager <\/p>

                  JSU\/MSDCOE<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  \"Dr.<\/div>

                  Dr. Sheila McKinney<\/h4>

                  Sr. Evaluation Associate <\/p>

                  JSU\/MSDCOE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  \"Dr.<\/div>

                  Dr. Christina Gladney<\/h4>

                  Program Manager<\/p>

                  JSU\/MSDCOE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  Project 1: <\/span>Community Care Implementation to Reduce Maternal Health Inequities<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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                  2023-2025<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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                  \"Krista<\/div>

                  Krista Guynes, MsW<\/h4>

                  Principal Investigator<\/p>

                  Office of Women\u2019s Health
                  MSDH\/ MSDCOE<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  \"Ms.<\/div>

                  Ms. Claire Mozingo, MPH<\/h4>

                  Program Manager<\/p>

                  Director, Time4Mom
                  <\/strong>MSDH\/ MSDCOE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  2026 - Present<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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                  \"Shirley<\/div>

                  Shirley Evers-Manly, PhD, RN, ADLN, FAAN<\/h4>

                  Principal Investigator<\/p>

                  Dean & Professor, School of Nursing
                  Alcorn State University<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  \"Dr.<\/div>

                  Dr. Archie Taylor<\/h4>

                  Co-Principal Investigator<\/p>

                  Professor
                  <\/strong>Alcorn State University<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  \"Dr.<\/div>

                  Dr. Henning Tiemeier<\/h4>

                  Co-Investigator<\/p>

                  Social & Behavioral Science
                  <\/strong> Harvard School of Public Health<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  \"Dr.<\/div>

                  Dr. Girmay Berhie<\/h4>

                  Co-Investigator<\/p>

                  Informatics & Data Analytics
                  JSU\/MSDCOE<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  \"Dr.<\/div>

                  Dr. Mary Shaw<\/h4>

                  Co-Investigator<\/p>

                  Professor
                  <\/strong>JSU\/MSDCOE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  2023 - Present<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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                  \"James<\/div>

                  James Tucker, MD<\/h4>

                  Principal Investigator<\/p>

                  Chair
                  Obstetrics & Gynecology UMMC\/MSDCOE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  \"Laura<\/div>

                  Laura Coats, PhD<\/h4>

                  Co-Principal Investigator<\/p>

                  Dir. of Research
                  Obstetrics & Gynecology
                  UMMC\/ MSDCOE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  \"Ms.<\/div>

                  Ms. Terriona Cowan<\/h4>

                  Research Coordinator<\/p>

                  Obstetrics & Gynecology
                  <\/strong>UMMC<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  \"Ms.<\/div>

                  Ms. Michael Ann Galliano Oropeza<\/h4>

                  Hispanic Community Advocate<\/p>

                  Consultant<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  Project 2: <\/span>Empowering Women for Postpartum Care and Reproductive Health<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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                  2023 - Present<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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                  \"Dr.<\/div>

                  Dr. Mary Shaw<\/h4>

                  Principal Investigator<\/p>

                  Professor
                  <\/strong>JSU\/MSDCOE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  \"Ebele<\/div>

                  Ebele Okoye<\/h4>

                  Senior GRA<\/p>

                  JSU\/MSDCOE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  \"Dr.<\/div>

                  Dr. Angela Omondi<\/h4>

                  Co-Investigator<\/p>

                  Behavioral Health Promo & Edu. JSU\/MSDCOE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  \"Dr.<\/div>

                  Dr. Taylor Straughter<\/h4>

                  Co-Investigator<\/p>

                  Consultant\/ Mental Health Provider<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  \"Dr.<\/div>

                  Dr. Jennifer Scott<\/h4>

                  Co-Investigator<\/p>

                  Consultant\/ Sexual Health\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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                  \"Mrs.<\/div>

                  Mrs. Brittany Isler<\/h4>

                  Doula\/ Health Educator<\/p>

                  Consultant<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

                  <\/div>\n\n
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                  Community Accountability Board<\/span> (CAB)<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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                  <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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                  The Inaugural Team<\/span> (2023)<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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                  <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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                  What We Value<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>
                  <\/span><\/div>

                  Community<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
                  <\/span><\/div>

                  Respect<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
                  <\/span><\/div>

                  Trust<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
                  <\/span><\/div>

                  Equity<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>4<\/span><\/span>5<\/span><\/span>
                  <\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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                  \n
                  <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
                  \n
                  <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
                  \n
                  <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
                  \n
                  <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>4<\/span><\/span>5<\/span><\/span>
                  <\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-46","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"dsm_author":{"name":"admin","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4e5950cc16425c08612f4a770004bcebb87bfeed6bcf5c1acd697afb096e4e24?s=96&d=mm&r=g","archive_link":"https:\/\/msdcoe.masaiinteractive.net\/index.php\/author\/masai_admin\/","biodata":""},"dsm_categories":[],"dsm_attachment_categories":[],"dsm_featured_image":null,"dsm_comment_count":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/msdcoe.masaiinteractive.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/46","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/msdcoe.masaiinteractive.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/msdcoe.masaiinteractive.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/msdcoe.masaiinteractive.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/msdcoe.masaiinteractive.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46"}],"version-history":[{"count":125,"href":"https:\/\/msdcoe.masaiinteractive.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/46\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1196,"href":"https:\/\/msdcoe.masaiinteractive.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/46\/revisions\/1196"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/msdcoe.masaiinteractive.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}