Find past Perinatal Mental Health Conditions recordings, slides, and resources here!
Perinatal Mental Health Conditions (PMHC) Bundle Kickoff Webinar: PMHC Bundle – MCPAP for Moms & Lowell General Hospital Team Presentation
September 17th, 2024
12:00 – 1:00pm ET
Our first webinar featured Tiffany Moore Simas, MD our PNQIN Bundle Lead who shared valuable PMHC Bundle Resources to help kickoff the PMHC Bundle Webinar series. Our keynote speakers included Leena Mittal, MD FACLP, from MCPAP for Moms who shared more about the organization and resources available for providers interacting with or caring for patients with PMHC. We also had Laura Federico, MSN RN from Lowell General Hospital share about Lowell General’s experience as part of the PMHC Mini-Collaborative, a pilot of the full PMHC Bundle done with 5 MA hospitals, this summer. Laura shared about a project that focused on patient education and shared two deliverables that were developed: a magnet and posters for their hospital units.
Click here to view/download slides.
Resources shared by MCPAP for Moms: Action Plan and Self Care Plan & Taking Care – Patient Handout
Postpartum Support International (PSI) Presentation
October 15th, 2024
12:00 – 1:00pm ET
Our second webinar featured two keynote speakers from the Massachusetts Chapter of Postpartum Support International (PSI), Kriti Lodha and MA Chapter Chair, Amy Colozzo, LICSW PMH-C. Amy Colozzo shared important background on PMHC and the role of PSI in caring for those who may be affected by a diagnosis of PMHC. Kriti Lodha bravely shared about her own experience with Perinatal/Postpartum Psychosis (PPP) with the birth of her daughter. Both Kriti and Amy shared incredible resources offered by PSI on their webpage. Following their presentation, Tiffany Moore Simas, MD our PNQIN Bundle Lead, further emphasized that PPP is a true medical emergency and shared valuable information regarding guidelines for treatment and initial management.
This webinar includes a discussion of postpartum psychosis from a person with lived experience.
Click here to view/download slides.
Screening: Guidelines, Instruments, and Practices
November 19th, 2024
12:00 – 1:00pm ET
Our third webinar featured three presentations on Screening for PMHC. We kicked off the webinar with our Bundle Lead, Dr. Tiffany Moore Simas, discussing the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG) Clinical Practice Guideline on Screening. We then heard from Linda Getchell, RN, an OB nurse at Milford Regional Medical Center, about her team’s experience improving screening and provider education for PMHC this past summer as part of the PMHC Mini-Collaborative. Finally, our colleagues at Boston Medical Center, Maithri Ameresekere, MD MSc PMH-C and Kala Jennissen, MPH discussed their use of the Refugee Health Screener-15 (RHS-15) for their Haitain Creole speaking population in place of the Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).
Click here to view/download slides.
Resources referenced: Translated EPDS – MCPAP for Moms
Quality Improvement (QI) Refresher and PMHC Assessment & Severity
January 21st, 2025
12:00 – 1:00pm ET
Our fourth webinar featured two presentations, one covering Quality Improvement (QI) processes and tools and one covering Assessment and Illness Severity of PMHCs. Dr. Ron Iverson, one of our PNQIN Obstetric Co-Chairs and an OB/GYN at Massachusetts General Hospital, covered a number of resources on how to utilize QI processes to implement change. Then, we shifted gears to hear from MCPAP for Mom’s Medical Director, Dr. Uruj Kamal Haider, about assessment of PMHCs and determination of Illness Severity. Dr. Haider also highlighted both the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Perinatal Mental Health webpage and the Lifeline4Moms Perinatal Mental Health Toolkit.
This webinar includes a candid discussion of postpartum mental health emergencies including a few clinical vignettes designed to better highlight examples of clinical decision-making.
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Resources referenced: ACOG Perinatal Mental Health Webpage & Lifeline4Moms Perinatal Mental Health Toolkit
Mount Auburn Team Presentation
February 18th, 2025
12:00 – 1:00pm ET
Our fifth webinar featured a presentation from one of our PMHC Mini Collaborative Teams from Mount Auburn Hospital. Julie Mann, CNM, MSN, MPH, the Director of Obstetrics at Mount Auburn Hospital, discussed her team’s experience with implementing the PMHC Bundle. Julie covered topics including how her team put together a PMHC workgroup, how the team implemented PMHC assessments and provided education and resources to providers and patients, and finally, covered multiple PDSA cycles that were completed in an effort to improve and standardize EPDS screening.
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Resource Referenced: Billing for Mental Health Screening
A Discussion on Treatment and Follow-up for PMHC
March 18th, 2025
12:00 – 1:00pm ET
Our sixth webinar featured a brief presentation from Dr. Tiffany Moore Simas in which she discusses the validity of early screening (prior to 2 weeks postpartum) for postpartum depression. Then, Dr. Nancy Byatt and Hannah discussed Treatment and Follow-up for PMHC. In this conversation, Hannah bravely shared her experience with postpartum depression and anxiety, suicidal ideation, and her subsequent treatment and recovery from these conditions and Dr. Byatt interspersed several extremely important resources for clinicians and patients. We are so grateful to Hannah for offering to share this part of her story!
This webinar includes a presentation from a person with lived experience with postpartum depression and anxiety, suicidal ideation, and treatment of these conditions.
Click here to view/download slides.
Data Review & Submission Tips
April 15th, 2025
12:00 – 1:00pm ET
Our seventh webinar featured a brief review of our data collected so far in the PMHC Bundle from Kali Espinola, MPH. Then, three of our bundle teams shared tips and tricks for data collection in the PMHC Bundle. Sandra Vosburgh, RN shared about her experience with Meditech at Fairview Hospital, then we heard from Courtney Petrowski, RN from Southcoast Health who dove into the use of Slicer Dicer for Epic reports, and finally, Lori McCall, RN shared about the data collection process at Lowell General Hospital, where they use Epic as well! We are so grateful to all three of these wonderful speakers for sharing their expertise!
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A Focus on Provider Education feat. BMC Brighton Team Presentation
June 17th, 2025
12:00 – 1:00pm ET
Our eighth webinar featured the BMC Brighton (formerly Steward St. Elizabeth’s) team and their work during the Mini-Collaborative to improve provider PMHC education, including knowledge and confidence to implement trauma-informed care practices. Despite many challenges during their transition to a new health system, BMC Brighton has also tackled QI projects related to patient PMHC education and screening for marginalized populations. Finally, Dr. Tiffany Moore Simas briefly walked through the instructions for accessing the free ACOG eModules for providers: “Addressing Perinatal Mental Health Conditions in Obstetric Settings“.
Click here to view/download slides.
Addressing Substance Use Disorders and PMHCs Together
July 15th, 2025
12:00 – 1:00pm ET
Our ninth webinar covered the intersection of PMHC and Substance Use Disorders (SUD). Dr. Tiffany Moore Simas shared some data regarding the prevalence of co-occurring SUD and PMHC and provided context for these disorders in MA. She explored some barriers to improving care of people affected by both SUD and PMHC and shared existing resources for this population. We then heard from Gina Gallagher at MCPAP for Moms about the services and resources that this organization offers for people affected by Perinatal SUD. Finally, two of our PNQIN Perinatal Opioid Project (POP) Leads, Amy Walker, CNM and Elisha Wachman, MD, shared toolkits that have been developed to assist with management of OUD in both the birthing person and the neonate.
Click here to view/download slides.
Tracking Patient PMHC Treatment Referrals
August 19th, 2025
12:00 – 1:00pm ET
Our tenth webinar addressed the measure that is least often reported on the Monthly AIM Survey due to data collection challenges. Teams from Winchester Hospital and the Boston Medical Center OBGYN Integrated Behavioral Health Program shared how they operationalize “treatment” and track patient referrals using Excel and Epic. Despite having different resources/staffing, both teams demonstrated how they are able to successfully collect and submit data for this measure. Note: The BMC slides have been redacted from the PDF pending permission to share.
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Psychiatric Emergencies
September 16th, 2025
12:00 – 1:00pm ET
Our eleventh webinar covered the important topic of Psychiatric Emergencies. These events, such as postpartum psychosis (PPP), are true clinical emergencies and must be treated as such. Dr. Tiffany Moore Simas began the webinar by defining psychiatric emergencies and emphasizing the importance of screening for bipolar disorder, which is a risk factor for PPP. She then walked the audience through the screening tools available and the workflow her team uses at UMass Memorial Health. Dr. Uruj Haider from MCPAP for Moms then went into further detail on actions to take when a patient experiences a psychiatric emergency, and resources (from MCPAP and other organizations) that can help providers support their patients. Finally, Dr. Haider and Kriti Lodha, member of the Postpartum Support International Board of Directors and a PPP survivor, had a fireside chat that blended clinical pearls for patient care with Kriti’s advice for OB providers from her lived experience.
Click here to view/download slides.
PMHC Bundle Year in Review & NH PQC Implementation of PMHC Bundle
October 21st, 2025
12:00 – 1:00pm ET
Our twelfth webinar reviewed just how far we’ve come over the past year! Kali Espinola reviewed the data that we have collected from our hospital teams so far during the implementation of this bundle and reviewed some important PNQIN resources. Following this, three of our colleagues from the New Hampshire Perinatal Quality Collaborative (NHPQC), Emily Brayton BSN RN, Maggie Coleman MPH, and Maddie Bridge, shared about their experience in implementing the PMHC Bundle in NH. The NH team started their implementation in January 2024 and discussed the exciting work that our Northern Neighbors have been able to complete so far! Finally, Dr. Tiffany Moore Simas rounded out the presentation with a discussion on the risks and benefits of the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in pregnancy for the management of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders.
Click here to view/download slides.
PMHC Screening in NICU and Pediatric Settings
November 18th, 2025
12:00 – 1:00pm ET
Our thirteenth webinar highlighted the important role that our pediatric providers have in identifying perinatal mental health conditions in the postpartum period. Up first during this webinar, we heard from a multidisciplinary team from Boston Medical Center, including Dr. Maithri Ameresekere, Mary Clough, RN, Jameelsa Ayala-Silva, RN, and Cheryl Slater, RN, who is currently working on screening for Postpartum Depression in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Then, our colleagues at MassHealth, Sarah Krinsky and Swathi Damodaran, covered ongoing work in Maternal Health and the numerous resources available in MA. They also reviewed the updated Perinatal Depression Screening Policy. Rounding out our webinar, Dr. John Straus, a pediatrician and founding director of MCPAP for Moms, reflected on the ongoing work in this space and answered questions from our attendees.
This webinar includes a brief discussion regarding a NICU nurse’s experience with a NICU mother who was struggling with suicidal ideation in the postpartum period.
Click here to view/download slides.
Non-Pharmacological Treatment Methods
December 16th, 2025
12:00 – 1:00pm ET
Our fourteenth webinar featured several options for non-pharmacological treatments for PMHCs. Dr. Nicole Leistikow from Johns Hopkins University spoke first about the importance of quality sleep in preventing and managing postpartum depression, a script for how to prescribe sleep in consolidated sleep chunks (vs. focusing on Total Sleep Hours) that are supported by a partner/loved one, and how spreading the sleep conversation over several visits can help achieve optimal results for patients and their families. Dr. Karen Abdool from Beryllium Psychiatric Services then outlined several different types of therapy, their benefits, and how to discuss each with patients — from cognitive behavioral therapy and light therapy to exercise and acupuncture. Our third speaker, Dr. Cynthia Battle, was not able to attend but her publications on prenatal yoga and walking for treating perinatal depression are provided in the slides below.
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ACOG’s Updated Guidance on Zuranolone & the PNQIN PMHC Bundle Sustainability Framework
January 20th, 2026
12:00 – 1:00pm ET
On our fifteenth webinar, PMHC Bundle Lead Dr. Tiffany Moore Simas shared ACOG’s updated clinical practice guidance on Zuranolone, an oral medication for the treatment of perinatal mental health conditions. Zuranolone replaces Brexanolone, an IV treatment, therefore increasing access for individuals in need. Then, PNQIN Sr. Project Manager, Kali Espinola, walked through the sustainability framework for the PMHC bundle that was created by our workgroup. This framework provides a structure and goals for data submission and recognition for teams that are ready to finish implementing their projects for this bundle. PNQIN also described supports available for teams that are still actively implementing — we are committed to meeting you where you are! Please reach out to PNQINAdmin@pnqinma.org with any questions or feedback about the framework.
Click here to view/download slides.
Click here to view ACOG’s Zuranolone guidance
PMHC Bundle Final Active Implementation Webinar: Celebration and Sustainability
February 17th, 2026
12:00 – 1:00pm ET
On our sixteenth and final webinar, PNQIN Sr. Project Manager Kali Espinola, MPH, shared some of the many exciting achievements that our hospital teams were able to accomplish throughout the 18 month active implementation of this bundle. After that, she then reviewed the sustainability framework for the PMHC bundle that was created by our workgroup. This framework provides a structure and goals for data submission and recognition for teams that are ready to finish implementing their projects for this bundle. PNQIN also described supports available for teams that are still actively implementing — we are committed to meeting you where you are!
Please reach out to PNQINAdmin@pnqinma.org with any questions or feedback about the framework.
Click here to view/download slides.
