NYSARH and NERHA Host Webinar on Obstetric Life Support to Improve Rural Maternal Health Outcomes

GOWANDA, NY (04/14/2025) (readMedia)-- The New York State Association for Rural Health (NYSARH), in partnership with the New England Rural Health Association (NERHA), will host a free webinar on Thursday, April 17 from 1:00 to 2:00 PM focusing on Obstetric Life Support (OBLS) and its vital role in improving maternal health outcomes in rural communities.

The webinar will feature Dr. Andrea Shields, Associate Professor at UConn Health and a nationally recognized expert in maternal-fetal medicine. Dr. Shields will present on the growing need for OBLS training as a way to address disparities in rural maternal healthcare and improve emergency response for childbirth-related complications.

"I'm especially looking forward to hearing from Dr. Shields about how OBLS can be tailored for rural healthcare settings," said Ali Coates, NYSARH Board President. "This is exactly the kind of timely, expert- led content that strengthens the value of NYSARH membership and supports our shared mission to reduce disparities in rural health."

The session will explore how OBLS is being adapted to better serve resource-limited settings, with a focus on practical, scalable training solutions for rural hospitals and clinics. Participants will come away with new strategies to promote health equity and preparedness within maternal healthcare systems.

Registration is free and open to all. To learn more and register, visit: https://nysarh.wildapricot.org/event-5990672

This event is part of NYSARH's ongoing commitment to supporting rural health providers, fostering cross-state collaboration, and reducing health disparities across underserved populations.

About NYSARH

The New York State Association for Rural Health (NYSARH) advocates for the health and well-being of rural New Yorkers through education, partnerships, and policy. NYSARH brings together professionals from across the state who are committed to improving access to quality healthcare in rural communities.