January 23 marks Maternal Health Awareness Day, which is a day to honor, reflect and recommit to supporting the health and well-being of moms across Virginia. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is a leading voice for Maternal Health Awareness, and marks the day each year with a unique theme. The theme for 2026, “Holding Ground on Maternal Health,” represents a call to protect the progress that has been made and stay focused on improving maternal health outcomes for all.
At the Virginia Neonatal-Perinatal Collaborative (VNPC), we partner with birth facilities, community organizations and leaders across the state to implement quality improvement and educational initiatives that strengthen care and improve outcomes for both mothers and babies. Through state-level data reporting, collaboration, and evidence-based quality improvement projects, VNPC helps turn insights into action where it matters most—at the bedsides of our moms and babies.
ACOG’s 2026 Maternal Health Awareness Day theme strives to show that “holding ground” means staying committed to our mission of improving health outcome for all moms across Virginia. While meaningful progress has been made, preventable cases of maternal morbidity and mortality persist, and recommitting our time and attention to maternal health every year on January 23 is essential to uplift the message of maternal health’s importance.
On January 23, Maternal Health Awareness Day, we’re showing up to recognize the good work happening across the Commonwealth, and just as importantly, to reaffirm our commitment to the work that still lies ahead. At VNPC, we will always remain focused on advancing maternal health year-round, because healthier moms lead to healthier families and stronger communities.