Annual Summit Speakers
Senior Director, Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative
Shannon R. Pursell, MPH
Shannon Pursell is the Senior Director of the Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaboration (VNPC). She is an Army veteran, who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan as a medic working with Soldiers as well as the local population. She also has expertise in state and local public health areas, maternal and child health, chronic disease, adolescent immunization, and programs with an emphasis on improving maternal and infant health outcomes, community engagement, health equity and partnership building. She completed her Master’s in Public Health in 2007 at Walden University and her Bachelors of Science at Purdue University in Health Services.
Session Information: Shannon will provide announcements from the VNPC, updates regarding maternal and infant health legislation being discussed in the General Assembly, as well as context around this year’s Annual Summit theme of “Changing the Narrative.”
BSN, RN, LCCE, CLC
Urban Baby Beginnings, MQCA
Stephanie Spencer, BSN, RN, LCCE, CLC
Stephanie Spencer is the Chair for the Virginia Maternal Quality Care Alliance, Executive Director of Urban Baby Beginnings, and a member of the Virginia State Doula Taskforce.
Session Information: Stephanie will lead and guide the conversation for Day 1 of the VNPC Annual Summit dedicated to focusing on the community through the Maternal Quality Care Alliance.
Sentara Midwifery Specialists
Owner, Jamii Birth & Wellness
C. Nichole Wardlaw, DNP, CNM
As a Certified Nurse-Midwife, Ms. Wardlaw is dedicated to providing quality and compassionate care to women of all ages. From family planning and contraception, to labor and delivery, and postpartum care, she offers a holistic approach to women’s care. Her passion and clinical interests include sexually
transmitted infections, teen pregnancy and transgender care. Ms. Wardlaw is a strong advocate for normal physiologic birth and informed decision making.
When she is not caring for patients, she enjoys knitting, traveling and exploring different cultures.
Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services
Natasha Turner
Natasha Turner is a Doula Program Analyst, with the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), Division of Health Care Services. She is responsible for the implementation of the Virginia Medicaid doula benefit program and helping to improve member health. Natasha has 20 years of experience in program administration, child health/child protection, and contract management. Her previous roles include work with the Virginia Departments of Health (VDH), and Social Services (VDSS), and the City of Norfolk. Natasha has a degree in Biology from Virginia Commonwealth University, and she enjoys reading, gardening and martial arts outside of work.
Session Information: Hear updates from The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) on the Community Doula Program and Medicaid Doula Benefit and highlights from The Virginia Doula Task Force on its most recent efforts.
Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services
Maryssa Sadler, MPA
Maryssa Sadler has been working in the field of Public Health and Administration for over 8 plus years. She is passionate about reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Master of Public Administration both from North Carolina Central University (NCCU). Maryssa continues to make an impact in the field of Maternal and Child Health and has a commitment to work at alleviating health disparities and improving maternal health for all preconception to postpartum persons. She currently serves as the Maternal and Women’s Health Operations and Program Analyst, with the Department of Medicaid Assistance Services ( DMAS- VA Medicaid). In her free time she enjoys traveling, running, coaching a middle school team for “Girls on the Run” and spending time with family and friends.
Session Information: Hear updates from The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) on the Community Doula Program and Medicaid Doula Benefit and highlights from The Virginia Doula Task Force on its most recent efforts.
Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health
Andrea Carrillo, MA
Andrea Carrillo, MA is an AIM Program Manager Specializing in Technical Assistance with the AIM TA Center. In that role she supports a portfolio of enrolled AIM entities and AIM related projects. Prior to her work with AIM, Andrea supported activities at the Black Women’s Health Imperative, worked closely with ACOG’s Patient Safety and Quality Improvement department and managed the organization’s outpatient safety certification program. Andrea holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Master of Arts in Health Communications.
Session Information: Join Andrea during Breakout Session I at 2:10pm to hear about resources that the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) offers.
Kennedy’s Angel Gowns
Virginia Beach, VA
Heather Wilson
Heather Wilson is a bereaved mother who works with parents faced with pregnancy and infant loss as Executive Director and Founder of Kennedy’s Angel Gowns. This non-profit organization provides infant burial garments and resources to families and local hospitals.
Heather believes every bereaved family deserves the gift of time when faced with this tragic loss. Hospitals need a cooling device that preserves an infant, which allows this precious time for a family to grieve. Heather has secured the first-ever Butterfly Suite in Virginia, a dedicated bereaved space equipped with a Caring Cradle™, at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
Heather is a Certified Bereavement Doula and recipient of Virginia’s Top 40 Under 40, Millennial on the Move, Emmy Nominated, Ladies in Red Exceptional Women Award, Hampton Roads Gazeti Exemplar Award, Health Care Hero, and LegaZ Honoree. Recently, her advocacy has brought her to the White House to speak at the Black Maternal Health Crisis Roundtable led by Vice President, Kamala Harris. Kennedy’s Angel Gowns has appeared on local news networks and VPS/PBS.
Heather holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from American International and a Masters of Arts in Urban Community Counseling from Norfolk State University. Heather is a wife to Demitri, and mother to “angel baby” Kennedy, “rainbow baby” Ryleigh, and “sunshine baby” Demitri, Jr.
Director of Behavioral Health- Virginia Medicaid, United Healthcare
Amanda M. Becker, MSW, LCSW, CCM, PsyD
Amanda Machamer Becker, MSW, LCSW, CCM, PsyD currently is the Executive Director of Behavioral Health for Optum/ United Healthcare. She is the board chair for the Community Transformers Foundation. Previously Dr. Becker worked as the Behavioral Health Director for Good Neighbor, Virginia Beach Psychiatric Hospital, and Optima Health. Dr. Becker began her career in child welfare and found herself expanding her talents in hospice, Advance Care Planning, healthcare ethics, and education. She continues to give back to her social work community by providing supervision for SWs seeking licensure and through consulting work. Dr. Becker received her undergraduate degree in History and Philosophy from the University of Pittsburgh, her master’s in Social Work from Arizona State University, and her doctorate in Psychology from Walden University. She prides herself on being the mother of 2 smart and beautiful daughters, a lifelong learner, and a diehard Steelers fan.
Session Information: Join Amanda on Day 1 of the Summit to hear about Community Connections
Birth in Color
Kenda Sutton-EL, Founder and Executive Director
Kenda Sutton-EL is the Founder and Executive Director of Birth In Color. A native of rural Virginia, Kenda focuses on Reproductive Sexual Justice, Birth Justice, Black maternal Health, Structural Racism, and organizes for Incarcerated pregnant people and human rights violations. An Activist that trains people of color to become doulas, Trains healthcare systems and workers in racial bias training.
Kenda Sutton-EL a true leader who started raising awareness and creating initiatives for Black Maternal Health In Virginia. Birth In Color VA is the leading organization that focuses on the care of people of color and the implementation of doulas into the workforce. Kenda holds a Bachelor’s in Health Science and is also a Doula Trainer, Diversity Equity Inclusion Consultant, and Policy Analyst, amongst other things. Kenda had the pleasure of sitting on Vice President Kamala Harris’s roundtable discussion on Reproductive Health and currently serves as the Chair of the Virginia Doula Taskforce Chair, the Chair of Greater Richmond Regional Maternal Child Health Taskforce, a member of the Virginia Maternal and Data Outcomes Taskforce, and Pregnancy Services for Incarceration Workgroup.
In 2019, Kenda Sutton-EL helped establish “Black Maternal Health Week” and also led the campaign for Doula Medicaid Reimbursement for the state of Virginia. Her passion for reproductive justice has led her to relentlessly pursue methods of improving maternal health for women of color. She firmly believes that until every woman is safe before, during, and after childbirth, we have not done our job as a society. In 2020 Sutton-EL was the creator of Herstory in partnership with Urban One Radio centering Maternal Health. In 2021, Kenda was the recipient of the “Women of the Year’ ACHI Magazine Award and Urban One Hometown Hero Award.
Augusta Health
Roxanne Harris, MSN, RN, IBCLC, CCE, CBBBE
The majority of my 30+ year career has been dedicated to caring for families delivering at Augusta Health’s Birthing Suite. During my hospital career, I have held a variety of positions and each has taught me a new aspect of caring for families. My work now has moved to a community based focus partnering with pregnant women and families in need of resources and support.
Session Information: “Candy Wrapper Girls” is about a unique program connecting incarcerated, pregnant women with a RN Maternal Health Navigator who supports them during their incarceration and after release. Attendees will also be challenged to examine their own feelings and interactions when caring for incarcerated women.
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Charles Minggia, MA
Charles Minggia is the Program Administrator for The Pathways Project with The Brock Institute. With a Masters in Applied Social Research and a Graduate Certificate in National Security, Charles has provided social services and education to underserved populations across Eastern North Carolina as well as Hampton Roads. This includes experience in case management with underserved communities, Community-Based Services work, community engagement with local organizations to educate community members about their rights and how to interact with law enforcement, as well as teaching within a title-1 school.
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Kapri Hannon, MPH
Kapri Hannon is the Program Specialist for The Pathways Project at the M. Foscue Brock Institute for Community & Global Health at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Kapri has five years of community engagement experience interacting with various populations across Hampton Roads including boating, military, hospital, low-income, and SUD pregnant and parenting communities. Kapri has served as a qualitative researcher conducting over 100 focus groups and analyzing data across multiple projects. Kapri received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Alabama and a Master of Public Health in Global Health from Liberty University. In her free time, Kapri loves to rewatch Harry Potter movies, peruse Barnes & Noble for the latest fantasy or romcom, and teach herself how to grow food organically.
Dr. Miheret Yitayew
Dr. Miheret Yitayew, is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University. She leads the small baby care quality initiative at CHoR NICU. Her clinical research interest includes infant nutrition and global neonatal health.
Donald Barrow
Donald Barrow has enjoyed a career in healthcare for the past 33 years. He retired in 2018 from Sentara Healthcare after 25 years of service. In 1993, he launched his career with Sentara Healthcare Optima Health where he led the Marketing, Community Development and Outreach teams for Virginia and North Carolina. Donald has built a stellar career community development, maintaining, and personalizing relationships in the community. He has led numerous expansion projects throughout the State of Virginia and North Carolina and paved the way for Optima Health’s Commercial and Government programs, Medicaid, and Medicare products. Donald has been a top leader for the Sentara Healthcare organization and was the only leader to score consecutive “100’s” on the company’s (WEI) work environment index in creating a healthy and fun workplace for employees. Donald has received numerous service awards including the Community Service Award from the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, The Physical and Mental Health Award from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, The Community Service Award from the Urban League of Greater Richmond, The Outstanding Service Award, from the Baptist General Convention of Virginia, The
Corporate Service Award from the Virginia Baptist State Convention and most recently, the Hometown Heroes Award from Allen Allen and Allen.
In 2018, Donald launched Community Transformers, LLC, Community Transformers Consultants, L.P., and the Community Transformers Foundation, a
501c3 nonprofit with a mission of advancing health equity in Black and Brown communities, he currently serves as its President and CEO. Community Transformers, LLC, is a Health Insurance Agency focusing on all lines of insurance with a specialization in Medicare, Retirement and assisting the uninsured find insurance on the ACA Marketplace. Community Transformers Consultants seeks to partner with healthcare companies and other organizations in connecting vulnerable populations with resources and addressing the social determinants of health. Donald is a graduate of North Carolina Central University, Warren National University and holds a “Strong Leader” Leadership Certificate from Harvard Business School. He is an active member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Petersburg Virginia where he currently serves as a Trustee and leader of the Media Ministry. He is married to the former Kimberly Trotter and has four children and three grandchildren.
Candice Barrow
Being a single mother comes with its challenges. Single moms strive to maintain a work-life balance, while parenting and nurturing their children. Candice Barrow, Community Transformers Foundation Mommy Connect founder, knows this journey well. She is a mom of one and strives to help other single mothers navigate through the challenges of parenting by providing support and mentorship through the Mommy Connect support group. Candice is a graduate of Shaw University with a B.A in Mass Communication. She became a first time mom in 2015 after giving birth to a healthy baby girl. Shortly after, Candice’s experience of postpartum depression began.
After several years of dealing with depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, she decided to seek help from a mental health therapist to help overcome those obstacles. While being in therapy, she developed a desire to help and encourage other women through these challenges. In 2019, Candice created the Mommy Connect support group for women who battle with postpartum depression, anxiety and the everyday stresses of single parenthood. Her goal of Mommy Connect is to promote maternal health and wellness, save lives and create a forever sisterhood.
She is self motivated and thrives in developing and maintaining relationships through networking as a liaison in the public and private sector.
Christopher Snyder, MD
Dr. Snyder is a professor of pediatrics at VCU School of Medicine and the chief of pediatric cardiology at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond. He graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine and completed his pediatrics residency and his cardiology and pediatric electrophysiology fellowships at Texas Children’s Hospital. Dr. Snyder has been a contributor to dozens of publications, part of numerous professional, service and public health organizations donating his time and expertise as a pediatric cardiologist, and was recently featured in Richmond Magazine as a recipient of the Best Doctors Award.
Certified Community Doula
Urban Baby Beginnings
Candice McDaniel
Community Engagement Coordinator
Virginia Certified Community Doula
Unite Us
Jacque Hale
Jacque Hale is a systems-thinker and innovator with 20 years of experience orchestrating collective impact in Richmond, and across Virginia. Jacque is the State Director for Unite Us in Virginia. She leads the strategy and implementation of the Unite Virginia network across the Commonwealth, with a focus on community engagement and change management.
Session Information: Meeting Mothers Where They Are: A Community and Person-Centered Approach to Care
Every path to motherhood is unique. Complex journeys require comprehensive solutions so that individuals feel supported throughout every phase of their reproductive and family health journey. Jacque Hale, Director of Unite Virginia, will share social determinants of health data for Virginia, and examples of how providers can use tools like the Unite Us Platform to expand their network of support partners to more effectively meet the needs of the pregnant and parenting families they serve.
Senior Program Manager, AIM CCI
National Healthy Start Association
Karen A. Chustz, MSW
Karen A. Chustz, MSW, is a Senior Program Manager at National Healthy Start Association (NHSA), leading the organization’s AIM CCI pilot. Karen has more than 25 years’ experience in non-profit and public health agencies. Prior to joining NHSA, Karen served as Director of the Bureau of Regional and Clinical Operations at Louisiana’s Office of Public Health where she was responsible for administration of the agency’s clinical and population health initiatives across nine regional teams. Karen’s experience also includes work as Chief Operations Officer at an FQHC as well as Program Officer for Community Services at a multi-service non-profit. From 2012 – 2015, Karen was Louisiana’s State WIC Director. Her experience also includes Vice President of Clinical and Community Health Programs at California Family Health Council (now Essential Access Health), California’s grantee for Title X family planning services. She also has extensive experience in maternal and child health as well as educational health programming. Early in her career, Karen served as Chief Program Officer for Great Expectations Foundation, which administered New Orleans’ Healthy Start project. While at Great Expectations, Karen diversified the organization’s funding and services portfolio to support HIV prevention services among women of color and teen pregnancy prevention programming for middle and high school students. Karen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Loyola University of New Orleans and a Master of Social Work with a concentration in Administration, Planning and Organizational Development with a focus on healthcare systems from Southern University at New Orleans.
Session Information: Join Karen at the AIM CCI session on Perinatal Mental Health on Sunday, October 22nd.
Vice President, Health Equity
Sentara Health Systems
Iris Lundy, MHL, RN, BSN
Iris Lundy, MHL, RN, BSN is the inaugural Vice President of Health Equity for Sentara Health, a large integrated delivery health system headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia. Through her experience as both a nurse and healthcare administrator she collaborates with leaders to develop and implement processes and practices which inform clinical performance, innovates community interventions, reduces barriers to care and improves health outcomes.
Her passion to promote health equity is immersed in her personal experiences within historically marginalized and rural communities, and her experience as an Army veteran. Ms. Lundy leads through a lens of cultural humility encouraging engagement and collaboration with diverse communities, civic and faith-based institutions to reduce disparities. She serves on multiple advisory boards and strategic alliances. Her compassionate leadership and ability to synthesize and translate information to a variety of communities has made her a sought-after speaker and trainer in organizational management and strategies to advance health equity.