At the 2024 New England Rural Health Association Conference, our department had the privilege of leading a session titled Obstetric Life Support: Preparing Healthcare Workers to Optimize Equitable Treatment of Maternal Medical Emergencies in Rural New England. Guided by Dr. Andrea Shields, Principal Investigator and Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology at UConn, the session highlighted the unique impact of Obstetric Life Support (OBLS) for rural healthcare. Dr. Shields shared her expertise on the critical role of OBLS in advancing maternal care, emphasizing its evidence base and adaptation to rural needs.

Highlights included:
Dr. Shields’ insights into the evidence supporting OBLS and its role in enhancing maternal care in underserved areas
Distinctions between OBLS and other obstetric emergency training programs
Preliminary findings from our ongoing study on OBLS adaptation for both prehospital and hospital-based providers
An engaging panel discussion with OBLS developers and trainers

They were proud to join Dr. Shields alongside Dr. Shayna Cunningham, Dr. Les Becker, and Dr. Rogie Royce Carandang for this impactful presentation, advancing rural healthcare in New England.

---