UPMC and Birth Root Community Doula have formalized a four‑year partnership aimed at reducing food insecurity, housing instability, and maternal health gaps in Erie, Pennsylvania, through community‑based doula care.
The effort is already showing results.
How the partnership was built
Tica Nickson, founder and director of Birth Root Community Doula, described the evolution from an informal link with UPMC’s maternity care management team to a written statement of work. Sarah Elizabeth Morrow, program director for UPMC for You and UPMC for Kids, said the agreement lets the health system tap into the doulas’ lived experience and local knowledge.
Unlike private‑pay doulles who focus mainly on birth support, the Birth Root team assists mothers with medical appointments, WIC visits, home visits, and prenatal education. Their role is to connect families to community resources rather than repeat services already offered by the hospital.
The collaboration emerged after Nickson reached out to UPMC’s maternity care management staff, initially offering informal assistance to families that were already handling the health system. Over time, both parties recognized a pattern of unmet social needs that could not be addressed through standard clinical pathways alone. This realization prompted a series of joint planning sessions, during which the organizations mapped out the specific touchpoints where doulas could intervene most effectively. The resulting statement of work outlines responsibilities, communication protocols, and performance metrics, ensuring that each side can measure progress and adjust strategies as community conditions evolve.
Key to the partnership’s design is the integration of doula insights into UPMC’s care manager workflows. By embedding doulas in the care coordination loop, the health system gains real‑time information about barriers such as transportation gaps, food scarcity, and unstable housing that often delay or prevent patients from attending appointments. This information feeds directly into case management plans, allowing for more precise referrals and follow‑up actions that align with the unique circumstances of each family.
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Impact on maternal outcomes
Data from a matched Medicaid cohort show that doula involvement correlates with lower cesarean rates, fewer preterm births, and higher postpartum follow‑up. Medicaid coverage for doula services has grown from two states in 2020 to twenty‑six states and Washington, DC, by March 2026.
Beyond direct clinical benefits, the collaboration has expanded into wellness programs. A joint effort with The Food Trust’s produce prescription initiative has boosted engagement with doula services among participating mothers, according to Morrow.
The partnership’s focus on food and housing challenges reflects a broader shift toward integrating social support into maternity care. By offering assistance with WIC enrollment and connecting families to local food banks, doulas help mitigate nutritional deficiencies that can contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Similarly, when housing instability threatens a mother’s ability to maintain a safe environment for herself and her infant, doulas act as advocates, linking clients to emergency shelter resources and long‑term assistance programs.
Community‑based doula care, as practiced by Birth Root, also helps UPMC care managers identify gaps that data alone might miss. By having doulas on the ground, the health system can tailor interventions to the specific needs of Erie residents.
In the larger picture, the rise of doula coverage illustrates how health policy is adapting to evidence that non‑clinical support can improve outcomes. As more states adopt Medicaid reimbursement for these services, the model may become a standard component of prenatal care across the country.
Overall, the UPMC‑Birth Root alliance demonstrates a practical approach to tackling health inequities, blending clinical oversight with community‑rooted assistance.
