Given recent updates to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, PNQIN is sharing CDC resources on contraception and STI testing.
PNQIN would like to offer immense gratitude to our colleagues at the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) and the Americal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), for sharing these resources as well.
Preliminary 2024 data indicate that 18 congenital syphilis cases occurred in Massachusetts, an
increase of 29% compared to 2023. To stop congenital syphilis, syphilis screening should be broader
and occur further upstream from pregnancy.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) recommends that clinicians provide syphilis
screening and inform ALL sexually active persons, with special focus on:
Read the full guidance here.
PNQIN, in collaboration with the MA Department of Public Health, hosted a series of two webinars featuring speakers with expert knowledge of the Mexican and Haitian healthcare systems to explore healthcare and maternity care for migrants from these two countries. The recordings of these webinars and slides can be found below!
2/7/25 – Bridging Borders Webinar Series: Mexico
Dr. Karla Berdichevsky led a discussion regarding the healthcare and maternity care in Mexico and shared some important considerations and resources when caring for patients from this country.
Dr. Karla Berdichevsky trained as a medical doctor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and holds a master’s in science in Public Health in Developing Countries from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She has more than 20 years of experience in sexual and reproductive health programs and policy design in the Mexico and Latin America and Caribbean Region. She has led both qualitative and quantitative research and conducted projects in health communications, advocacy, and multi-sector partnership building to guarantee sexual and reproductive rights and centering services on the needs of women, adolescents, and girls. Karla has worked for a variety of civil society organizations, private foundations, and UN agencies on thematic issues such as maternal health, contraception, menstrual health, safe abortion, HIV/AIDS, and gender equality. She was General Director at the National Center for Gender Equity and Reproductive Health in the Mexico Ministry of Health from 2019 to 2023 where she led the design and implementation of the gender equality and sexual and reproductive health national policies, including the installation of a country-wide safe abortion program.
2/14/25 -Bridging Borders Webinar Series: Haiti
Dr. Jane E. Drichta led a discussion regarding the healthcare and maternity care in Haiti and shared some important considerations and resources when caring for patients from this country.
Dr. Jane E. Drichta is an accomplished author, midwife, and global health advocate specializing in maternal and neonatal care. She is the author of The Essential Homebirth Guide and has worked in 15 countries over the course of her career, improving birth outcomes and advocating for equitable healthcare access.
Dr. Drichta holds a PhD in Global Public Health and Health Systems from the University of Ghent and a MS from Queen Mary University in London. She is a Certified Professional Midwife and has also earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Tropical Medicine from the University of Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.
She currently serves as the Executive Director of Midwives for Haiti, leading efforts to enhance midwifery education and maternal health services in underserved communities. With extensive experience in both clinical practice and international healthcare systems, she remains committed to evidence-based, compassionate care and sustainable health solutions.
Link for slides and recording.
Additional supplemental resources provided by Dr. Drichta include: helpful medical terms and QR Codes for additional Immigrant-specific resources.
Additional supplemental resources provided by Dr. Maithri Ameresekere from Boston Medical Center include: PDF copy of the Refugee Health Screener-15 (RHS-15) in Haitian Creole and a paper describing the development and validation of the tool.
Our colleagues at the Utah Women and Newborns Quality Collaborative have just published their birth and postpartum trauma information and resources.
The resources can be found at this link and cover topics such as, but not limited to:
Our colleagues at the Betsey Lehman Center for Patient Safety have compiled numerous resources related to various aspects of PFACs. The resources cover topics such as, but not limited to:
For families with children who have special health needs, chronic illnesses, or disabilities. This resource offers information on services and community resources. It also provides emotional support through a parent to parent matching program (fcsn.org/p2p). Family TIES is a project of the Federation for Children with Special Needs, funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
The Federation for Children with Special Needs in Massachusetts empowers families so that they have the information and resources they need for their children. The Federation works with families with children from birth to adulthood, providing individual assistance, training, and leadership development and support. Focused on education, early childhood, healthcare, transitions, children in foster care and group homes, and build strong family engagement to support all children, especially those children with disabilities, those at risk, and those with economic, cultural or linguistic barriers, they can be reached at 617-236-7210 or fcsn.org.
We’ve Moved! Here’s how to find us.
Family TIES has a new phone number and a new online home.
We’ve always been part of the Federation for Children with Special Needs, but now we’re going to share a new phone number and new website address.
You can reach us through the Federation’s Main Number: (800) 331-0688 or (617) 236-7210
And you can find out what we’re up to at fcsn.org/family-ties!
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Pat Cameron, Family TIES Director, at (617) 399-8380 or pcameron@fcsn.org.
Social determinants of health are conditions where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect their health.