Our History - West Virginia Perinatal Partnership

Our History In February 2006, with support from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and encouragement by then First Lady Gayle Manchin, a group of health care professionals convened at the Governor’s Mansion to collaborate and address the poor health of mothers and babies in West Virginia. The state had some of the worst health outcomes in the country related to low birth weight, infant mortality, and teen pregnancy.

As a result of this meeting, the participants created the West Virginia Perinatal Partnership to work together for their shared interest of improving the health of mothers and babies in West Virginia, as well as have a positive impact on their environments, their family situations and their futures. The Partnership engaged various partners and contributing organizations through the 2006 Key Informant Survey and hosted the first Perinatal Summit. A Central Advisory Council was established to help organize subcommittees to address a variety of issues which had been identified. The members of the Central Advisory Council included rural providers, chairs and directors of perinatal health care organizations, deans and representatives from the state’s three medical schools, and payers of care in West Virginia. (Click for the list of the original members)

The Partnership has become recognized throughout the state for its effectiveness in bringing together individuals and organizations involved in all aspects of perinatal care.

The members of the Central Advisory Committee and Steering Committee, continue to work together through a variety of committees, private organizations and state agencies to develop new strategies, change existing programs and policies, and put new programs into place which will create the best care possible for pregnant mothers and their babies.

To learn more about the achievements of the Partnership, view our Accomplishments of the West Virginia Perinatal Partnership Executive Summary Report.