Missouri PQC

06/10/2026

✨ Save the date for MO PQC's second annual Maternal and Infant Symposium!

📅 Tuesday, Oct. 13, through Thursday, Oct. 15

📍 Branson Convention Center

🔗 https://mopqc.org/events/mo-pqc-maternal-and-infant-symposium/

06/09/2026

Meet Ask Me 5 Ambassador, Sydney Marie Thayer, M.D., Physician of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine.

Sydney joined the Ask Me 5 movement because she knows that the vast majority of perinatal morbidity and mortality experienced by birthing patients in Missouri is avoidable. By encouraging patients, families, partners, faith leaders and health care professionals to ask important questions, we can help ensure that every patient stays safe and feels supported during one of life's most vulnerable transitions.

"Ask the difficult questions to help ensure our patients stay safe and feel supported during a particularly difficult and vulnerable transition period."

Together, we can empower families, strengthen communication and improve maternal health outcomes across Missouri.

💙 Learn more about Ask Me 5 and join the movement to make every voice heard: www.askme5.org

06/09/2026

The MO PQC was proud to sponsor the Mid-Mo Baby Expo in Columbia, Mo., on Saturday, June 6. The Expo featured numerous resources for new and expecting parents including booths featuring baby products, local services and parenting resources; giveaways and prize drawings; activities for parents and little ones; and seminars with professionals like lactation consultants and pelvic floor therapists.

Alison Williams represented the MO PQC at the event sharing resources about the initiative, which is designed to improve maternal health outcomes through five essential health questions that build trust, open dialogue and address critical health concerns.

Learn more at www.askme5.org 💜

06/05/2026

Yesterday, Morgan Nesselrodt, PQC Specialist – Bootheel Region, represented the Missouri PQC at the 2026 Bootheel Community Health Fair in New Madrid, Mo. This impactful community event brought together attendees and experts for educational breakout sessions focused on critical health topics, including mental health, cardiac arrest community response, diabetes, cancer awareness and bleeding control.

Morgan said it was inspiring to see so many community members engaged in learning skills and information that can help improve health outcomes and save lives.

06/04/2026

Missouri is helping lead the conversation on innovative approaches to maternal health care.

Members of the MO C3 Core Advisory Panel recently traveled to Des Moines, Iowa, to present at the Nourishing Change Conference, sharing how Missouri is fostering cross-sector collaboration to build sustainable maternal health care models that better serve women, families and communities.
The conference brought together leaders from nutrition, health care, technology, pharmacy, retail and other sectors to explore solutions that improve holistic health outcomes.

Pictured are Dr. Heidi Miller, Chief Medical Officer for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services; Alison Williams, Division Vice President of Clinical Quality Affairs for the Missouri Hospital Association and MO PQC lead; Dr. Karyn Fowler, OB-GYN with SSM Health - St. Louis and MO C3 co-principal investigator; Sue Kendig, SSM Health St. Louis and MO C3 co-principal investigator; and Jesi Dresner, Deputy Division Director of MO HealthNet, Missouri Department of Social Services.

Thank you to these leaders for showcasing Missouri's innovative work and commitment to improving maternal health outcomes.

06/04/2026

Across Missouri, access to maternity care continues to decline — especially in rural communities. As birthing units close and maternity care deserts expand, non-birthing hospitals are increasingly becoming critical access points for pregnant and postpartum patients experiencing emergencies.

To better understand how prepared these hospitals are to respond, the Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative launched the Missouri Emergency Department OB Readiness Assessment. The goal: identify strengths, gaps and opportunities to support hospitals that may not deliver babies but still care for mothers and newborns in crisis.

Across Missouri, access to maternity care continues to decline — especially in rural communities. As birthing units close and maternity care deserts expand, non-birthing hospitals are increasingly becoming critical access points for pregnant and postpartum patients experiencing emergencies. To bet...

06/03/2026

What should a good appointment actually look like?

This video shows a real example of care using the Ask Me 5 approach. Providers slow down, ask thoughtful questions, and create space for honest conversation, while patients feel comfortable answering openly and asking what they need to ask.

Ask Me 5 helps set expectations for both patients and providers so trust can grow on both sides of the room.

Watch the full video on YouTube, then download your Ask Me 5 toolkit at www.askme5.org 💜

Conversations with patients don't always follow a script. But the w...

06/02/2026

Meet Kimberly Costello, CNL, PCHW, CEO of The Doula Foundation and a proud Ask Me 5 Ambassador!

With more than 30 years of experience serving children and families through community-based nonprofit work, Kimberly is passionate about ensuring every family feels supported, empowered and equipped to thrive.

"As an Ask Me 5 Ambassador, I am committed to improving maternal health outcomes across Missouri by helping elevate awareness, strengthen communication between providers and families, foster collaboration between clinical and community-based organizations, and create a culture where mothers feel heard, respected and supported in their care."

Thank you, Kimberly, for championing maternal health and helping spread the Ask Me 5 message across Missouri. Together, we're empowering families to ask questions, understand their care and advocate for their health.

Learn more about Ask Me 5 at www.askme5.org 💜

05/29/2026

📌 Advancing Cardio-Obstetrics: Emerging Recommendations for Cardiac Disease in Pregnancy and Postpartum

📢 Presenter: Karen L. Florio, D.O., MPH

📅 Monday, June 8

⌚ Noon

💻 Virtual

🔗 https://mopqc.org/events/cardiac-conditions-in-obstetric-care/

05/28/2026

"Even if you don't think it matters, it does."

This message from a new mom is a powerful reminder that every question, concern, and feeling deserves to be heard during pregnancy and postpartum.

Ask Me 5 was created to help build trust between patients and providers by encouraging open, honest conversations. When patients feel heard, it creates space for better understanding, stronger relationships, and more supportive care.

Your voice matters in every appointment. Ask Me 5 is here to help make sure it's heard.

Learn more at www.askme5.org 💜

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