Webinar - Strengthening Neonatal Outcomes in Maternity Care Deserts

Maternity care deserts now affect over 35% of U.S. counties, making birth centers increasingly critical in delivering frontline care to underserved communities. These regions face elevated risks of preterm births and neonatal complications, underscoring the urgent need for providers to respond confidently to newborn emergencies in resource-limited settings.

Join Jonathan Epstein (American Red Cross) and Julie Bacon (Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital Lifeline) as they discuss the critical challenges presented by maternity deserts and the associated risks in neonatal delivery.

They also share details on the Red Cross Neonatal Advanced Life Support (NALS) program, developed in partnership with Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), as a key tool to address these disparities. The NALS program focuses on maximizing the effectiveness of positive pressure ventilation (PPV) during the crucial "Golden Minute" after birth. Learn how this evidence-based training empowers birth center professionals to deliver immediate, life-saving care and navigate the complexities of post-resuscitation.

Guest Presenters: 

Jonathan Epstein, Healthcare Product Management Leader, American Red Cross

Julie Bacon, Program Manager and Chief Flight Nurse at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital Lifeline

Originally presented live on August 27, 2025.