San Bernardino County Public Health Department hosts Inland Empire Perinatal Equity Provider Summit

The San Bernardino County Public Health Department, in partnership with Riverside University Health System Public Health and regional collaborators, hosted the fourth annual Inland Empire Perinatal Equity Provider Summit on April 16 at Crestmore Manor in Riverside. The summit continues to bring together health care providers, public health professionals and community leaders committed to improving birth outcomes and advancing health equity for Black and African American families across the Inland Empire.

This year’s theme, “Centering Perinatal Equity: Listening, Supporting, Empowering,” highlighted the importance of addressing systemic barriers, amplifying patient voices and strengthening coordinated systems of care. The summit builds on the Perinatal Equity Initiative’s ongoing efforts to reduce maternal and infant health disparities and support families most impacted by inequities.

The Provider Summit featured a dynamic program of speakers and discussions focused on both clinical and community-driven strategies. It included a keynote address by Dr. Lenorre Clarke, OB/GYN, titled “Reducing Maternal Mortality in California: What’s Worked, What Still Matters.” Dr. Clarke shared statewide progress and emphasized the continued need for data‑driven, equity‑centered approaches to care.

Additional sessions included insights from the California Pregnancy‑Associated Review Committee (CA‑PARC), innovative care models involving licensed midwives, and strategies to address disparities in Black perinatal health outcomes.

“This summit is raising the bar on awareness and on how we support our families. Gatherings like this help push the needle on identifying the systemic barriers our families face and how we can work together to overcome them,” said Monique Amis, division chief of the Public Health Community and Family Health Division.

A multidisciplinary panel brought together experts from obstetrics, behavioral health, pediatrics and public health to discuss collaborative approaches to reducing disparities. Panelists highlighted the importance of integrating clinical care with community‑based supports, addressing implicit bias and ensuring culturally responsive care across systems.

Throughout the summit, participants engaged in meaningful dialogue on key drivers of maternal and infant health inequities, including structural racism, access to care, chronic disease and gaps in follow-up care.

Sessions reinforced the need for coordinated, team-based care models and highlighted evidence-based strategies, such as early identification of maternal warning signs, standardized treatment protocols and community-informed interventions.

The Inland Empire Perinatal Equity Provider Summit remains a cornerstone for regional collaboration. By convening providers and partners throughout the Inland Empire, the summit strengthens a shared commitment to equitable, high-quality care and supports ongoing efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality disparities in San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

For more information about improving birthing outcomes and to join our Black Infant Health/Perinatal Equity Initiative Community Advisory Board, visit dph.sbcounty.gov/programs/fhs/pei or email dphpei@dph.sbcounty.gov.

Additional County Update News – April 30, 2025