Saint Francis Hospital was awarded an $85,000 grant from the Coverys Community Healthcare Foundation, Inc. (CCHF) to launch the Maternal Outreach Monitoring for Health Equity, Advocacy, Response and Treatment (MOM-HEART) program in Hartford, Connecticut.
MOM-HEART will support pregnant and postpartum patients at risk for hypertension and preeclampsia through Community Health Worker support, home blood pressure monitoring, social care resources, and direct communication pathways with obstetric care teams, aiming to identify warning signs earlier and reduce serious maternal complications.
Hypertensive disorders, including preeclampsia, remain among the leading causes of maternal death in the United States, disproportionately affecting Black women and women in rural or medically underserved counties. A July 2026 CDC report found gestational hypertension now affects roughly one in ten U.S. births, a 73% increase since 2016, affecting an estimated 374,000 women annually. The National Center for Health Statistics reported a U.S. maternal mortality rate of 17.9 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2024, with hypertension-related disorders among the leading underlying causes.
Hildred Rochon, MD, Vice Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saint Francis Hospital, said, "Hypertension and preeclampsia remain among the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly among populations that experience barriers to care. Through MOM-HEART, we are creating a proactive system that empowers patients to monitor their health, strengthens communication between patients and providers and enables earlier intervention when warning signs emerge. Our goal is to ensure every mother has access to the support and care she needs for a healthy pregnancy and recovery."
The program leverages Trinity Health Of New England's community-clinical integration model, providing mothers ongoing support after discharge.
"MOM-HEART represents an important opportunity to extend care beyond the hospital and into the communities where mothers live, work and raise their families," said Carolyn Alessi, Regional Director of Community Health and Well-Being, Trinity Health Of New England. "By combining Community Health Worker support, blood pressure monitoring and connections to essential social resources, we can help women navigate the critical postpartum period, address barriers to care and ensure they receive timely support when concerns arise. This program is designed to improve quality and safety outcomes while advancing health equity for mothers and babies."
The grant also supports Health Equity training for obstetric providers to address racial disparities in maternal and infant health.
MOM-HEART launches this summer, building on Saint Francis's maternal health initiatives including the Orange Bracelet Program and its Obstetrics Emergency Department (OBED), with plans to expand the model across Trinity Health Of New England.
"Through collaboration, innovation and a shared commitment to health equity, we have an opportunity to improve outcomes for mothers and babies while creating a model for the future of maternal care," said Karianne Silverman, MD, FACOG, Chair, Women and Infants Service Line, Trinity Health Of New England.
