At Common Ground Health we've long understood—through rigorous data analysis and deep community knowledge—that many mothers and families in Rochester and the Finger Lakes do not get the care they need during pregnancy and childbirth. That's why we welcomed the opportunity to join partners, advocates, and community members on November 12, at Monroe Community Hospital for the 14th Annual Dr. Bernard Guyer Lecture in Public Health. The event was all about one big idea: transforming birth care—here in the Finger Lakes and across the country.
This year’s keynote speaker, Leseliey Welch, MPH, MBA, CEO and co-founder of Birth Center Equity and Birth Detroit, introduced an inspiring vision: Beloved Birth 50 By 50. The goal? By 2050, half of all babies in the U.S. will be born with midwifery care. It’s bold, it’s ambitious, and it aligns with Common Ground Health’s focus on maternal health equity—especially for Black women, who continue to face the greatest disparities in our region.
Moving beyond crisis conversations
Welch challenged everyone to think bigger than crisis response. Instead, she asked us to imagine what fair, community-centered birth care could look like—and to work together to make it real.
Her message hit home for Common Ground Health. Our work is rooted in data, community voices, and partnerships that drive change. During the program, Dina Faticone, MA, our chief program officer, shared sobering regional trends: severe maternal morbidity in the Finger Lakes has jumped 38% since 2012, with the sharpest increases among women ages 20–34.
Pair that data with lived experiences from families, and the picture is clear: racism, poverty, and access barriers still shape outcomes. Dina posed an important question: “If we think about women’s health across the entire lifespan, how might our outcomes be different?” She emphasized the need for investments that support families well before pregnancy begins.
She also spotlighted Healthi Kids’ Love from the Start campaign, which focuses on early relational health—the bonds that shape lifelong well-being. It’s a natural complement to maternal health equity because strong relationships start with systems that honor and support women and families from day one.
Building change through partnership
Local leaders echoed the call for equity-driven action.
Twylla Dillon, PhD, MBA, president & CEO of HealthConnect One, reminded us that systems must be designed for Black birthing families—and that doulas and perinatal workers are essential to those systems. Her words stuck with us: “Change moves at the pace of trust. Work must be done with families, not for them.”
Theresa Green, PhD, MBA, from the Center for Community Health and Prevention, shared updates on the Mothers and Babies Health Survey 3.0 and the Maternal and Child Health Improvement Plan—efforts that align with regional goals to reduce maternal mortality and strengthen economic stability.
Looking ahead
For Common Ground Health, the takeaway is clear: improving birth outcomes requires systemic change. Midwifery, respectful and community-aligned care must be part of the solution. Welch’s Beloved Birth 50 By 50 vision gives us a powerful north star—one that can rally partners, funders, and policymakers toward meaningful action.
We remain committed to advancing maternal health equity through data analysis, community engagement, policy advocacy, and collaboration. Together, we can ensure every mother in our region has access to safe, respectful, and culturally aligned care.