OU Medicine - It Takes a Community: Improving Maternal Health in Oklahoma
When mothers thrive, communities thrive. Join Dr. Emily Jones and Dr. Karina Shreffler from the University of Oklahoma Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing for a conversation about maternal health in Oklahoma and the vital role communities play in improving outcomes for women, babies, and families. Drawing on their collaborative experience as a nurse (Jones), sociologist (Shreffler), educators, and researchers, Dr. Jones and Dr. Shreffler will share opportunities for civic leaders, community organizations, and healthcare partners to work together toward a healthier future for all Oklahomans.
Emily J. Jones, PhD, RNC-OB, FAAN, FAHA, FPCNA, is Professor and Nursing PhD program director for the Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing at the University of Oklahoma. A sixth-generation Oklahoman, Dr. Jones is dedicated to helping Oklahoma women and families live healthier lives. She leads teams who study ways to improve maternal health and reduce the burden of conditions like heart disease and diabetes, especially in communities that face the greatest health challenges. Her work brings together health professionals, researchers, and community partners to develop practical solutions that support mothers, strengthen families, and improve health across Oklahoma.
Karina Shreffler, PhD, is Professor and Associate Dean for Research for the Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing at the University of Oklahoma. She studies how trauma, childhood adversity, and other stressful life experiences affect pregnancy, mental health, substance use, and decisions about seeking health care. Her expertise combines analysis of large national datasets with community-based research involving people facing barriers to care, including pregnant women in medically underserved communities and those affected by substance use. She leads the NIH-funded Center for Indigenous Resilience, Culture, and Maternal Health (CIRCLE), advancing research to improve maternal health.