Special Services
If you require special assistance in attending this event, please contact Monica.Clouse@ky.gov.
An Equal Opportunity University.
Speakers
Monica Clouse, Ann Coker, James Cousett, Rita Crum, Coy Flowers, Edward Miller, Dana Quesinberry, Brittani Roberts, Mary Schubert, Allison Webb, Connie White, Bethany Wilson
Monica Clouse, MPH, CPH
Program Manager
Kentucky Perinatal Quality Collaborative (KyPQC)
Lexington, Kentucky
Ms. Monica Clouse received her Master’s in Public Health from the University of Kentucky in May of 2009. From 2010 to 2019, she worked as an epidemiologist in Kentucky’s Department for Public Health (KDPH), within the Division of Maternal and Child Health (MCH). In October 2019, Ms. Clouse joined the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) serving as a Local Field Placement in Kentucky. In this role, she worked to enhance the KDPH’s capacity to develop and implement goals in critical areas for Kentucky’s Opioid Use Disorder, Maternal Outcome, and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Initiative (OMNI) and assisted Kentucky in establishing a Perinatal Quality Collaborative. Ms. Clouse is now employed with the University of Kentucky and serves as the Program Manager of Kentucky’s Perinatal Quality Collaborative (KyPQC). Ms. Clouse has received her Certification in Public Health (CPH).
Ann Coker, PhD, MPH
Professor of Epidemiology,
University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Director and Endowed Chair,
University of Kentucky Center for Research on Violence Against Women
Lexington, Kentucky
Dr. Ann Coker is an epidemiologist focusing on improving women's health by reducing gender-based interpersonal violence's mental and physical health impact. Her population-based research has focused on identifying and evaluating interventions that may prevent or mitigate the impact of sexual violence, partner violence, and forms of childhood and youth violence. Over the past several years, Dr. Coker has had the opportunity to serve as the Research Director for the University of Kentucky's BIRCWH mentorship program. This experience led to creating of the mentorship component of the CDC-funded mcBEE project. They aimed to provide mentorship and connections between early career faculty conducting research in violence intervention or prevention. Since 2007, Dr. Coker has served as the inaugural Endowed Chair in UK's Center for Research on Violence Against Women and now serves as Executive Director for this Center.
James Cousett, MPH
Epidemiologist
Division of Maternal and Child Health
Kentucky Department of Public Health
Frankfort, Kentucky
James T. Cousett, MPH, has served as a maternal child health epidemiologist within the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Frankfort, Kentucky since 2019. Mr. Cousett is responsible for analysis of Maternal Mortality Review Committee data and report writing in Kentucky.
Rita Crum, MSN, RN, HACP
Women's and Children's Health Service Line Director
Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc.
Pikeville, Kentucky
Rita D. Crum, MSN RN, is the Women’s and Children’s Health Service Line Director for Appalachian Regional Healthcare. She provides leadership for the growth and development of women’s (OB/GYN, breast centers of excellence, etc.) and children’s (pediatrics, NICU, etc.) health throughout the ARH Enterprise. She drives operational, financial, and clinical surgical excellence in collaboration with ARH CEOs, system/local leaders, and Regional Chief Medical Officers. She has over 28 years of experience in education, nursing, and healthcare leadership, emphasizing Women, Infant, and Children’s Services, Emergency Room Nursing, Hospital Education, and Healthcare Accreditation.
Coy Flowers, MD
Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Coy A. Flowers, MD, FACOG, is a graduate of the West Virginia University School of Medicine. In medical school, he joined the US Navy where he completed his internship and residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at the National Naval and Walter Reed Army Medical Centers. In the United States, as well as abroad in Cuba and Iceland, he served more than a decade in the US Navy and left active service as a Lieutenant Commander.
Dr. Flowers is board certified in both Obstetrics & Gynecology. After caring for patients for over 13 years in private practice, he is thrilled to accept his new role as Assistant Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Kentucky School of Medicine and as Medical Director for UK Healthcare – Women’s Health in Georgetown. A Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology (ACOG), Dr. Flowers has also been a Clinical Assistant Professor at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and Lincoln Memorial University’s DeBusk School of Osteopathic Medicine. Recently, Dr. Flowers was honored to be elected Vice Chair of ACOG for the entire state of Kentucky. He also serves women’s health care nationally by serving on ACOG’s National Government Affairs Committee and is an ACOG Delegate to the American Medical Association.
Edward Miller, MD, FACOG
Assistant Professor
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health
University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Dr. Miller was born and raised in Southern California and attended New York University where he studied Anthropology. His desire to serve and make a difference led him to Wake Forest University School of Medicine where he earned his medical doctorate. At Wake Forest he fell in love with the field of Maternal Fetal Medicine and decided that caring for mothers and their families was his mission. He enrolled in residency at Howard University Hospital in Washington DC where he served as House Staff President and received the prestigious resident of the year award. He returned to California to complete fellowship at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) where he received training in ultrasound and the management of high risk pregnancies from leading experts in the field. During his time at UCSF he authored numerous publications and presentations and developed his passion for leadership in the realm of Diversity and Inclusion as well as medical education. In his final year of fellowship Dr. Miller was nominated and received the UCSF Innovation award for excellence in Graduate Medical Education. In his spare time Dr. Miller enjoys cooking, playing volleyball, and growing his bourbon collection.
Dana Quesinberry, JD, DrPH
Assistant Professor, Associate Director of the KIPRC
Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center - University of Kentucky
Dana Quesinberry, JD DrPH, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Management and Policy at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health. She serves at the Associate Director of the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center. Currently, she is the Principal Investigator for the CDC-funded Overdose Data to Action Program Kentucky. Her research interests include substance use disorder-overdose surveillance and prevention, maternal-child health, and health policy.
Brittani Roberts, LPCA NCC CTRTC
Maternal Health Specialist | Lactation Counselor
Licensed Professional Counseling Associate
Owensboro, Kentucky
I am a passionate Licensed Professional Counselor committed to supporting individuals and families through transformative therapeutic interventions. My practice specializes in providing comprehensive therapy services tailored to the unique needs of the perinatal population, and individuals confronting challenges related to infertility and perinatal loss.
My professional journey includes specialized training accredited by Postpartum Support International (PSI). I proudly serve as the Treasurer on the KY-PSI Board. I play a pivotal role in ensuring fiscal integrity and expanding access to crucial maternal mental health training for professionals through scholarship initiatives.
Additionally, I am the Founder of the Maternal Health Council, a collaborative initiative uniting healthcare providers and professionals to enhance community services. Together, we strive to disseminate vital resources, foster accessibility to care, and advocate for improved maternal health outcomes.
As Co-Chair of the Kentucky Maternal & Infant Health Collaborative Panel alongside Dr. Elizabeth Ottman, MD, I contribute to innovation efforts, screening suggestions, and resource development. This collaborative endeavor includes the forthcoming launch of a website aimed at equipping families and healthcare providers with essential lifesaving resources.
Informed by statistics revealing the prevalence of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, affecting 1 in 8 women (Centers for Disease Controls, 2024). Through my diverse roles and steadfast dedication, I am committed to promoting mental well-being, with my most important goal of saving lives and empowering individuals on their therapeutic paths.
Mary Schubert, DNP, NEA-BC, RNC-OB, EFM-C
System Vice President Women's Services
Norton Healthcare
Louisville, Kentucky
Dr. Mary Schubert's career in women’s services has spanned several decades, with increasing opportunities to transition research into practice. Over the course of 35 years, role transitions occurred that offered me a broadened span of control with the ability to influence policy in acute care. Partnering with the community and building a bridge between acute care and public health has been an ongoing passion of mine. Participation in the Michigan perinatal quality team allowed me to enhance the bridge between health departments and acute care hospitals.
In 2015 Michigan embarked on a journey to improve maternal morbidity and mortality as a part of the Alliance for Innovation to Improve Maternal Health (AIM). As a member of the executive steering team for the State of Michigan’s AIM team, I supported the implementation of hypertension and hemorrhage bundle. Caring for mothers and babies and improving birth outcomes through data-driven quality improvement projects that are tailored to local strengths and challenges is a personal passion.
Connie White, MD, MS, FACOG
Deputy Commissioner, Clinical Affairs
Kentucky Department for Public Health
Frankfort, Kentucky
Dr. Connie White practiced Obstetrics and Gynecology Medicine in Frankfort, Kentucky, for over twenty years. She retired from clinical medicine in 2009 and became the Division of Women's Health Director in the Department for Public Health (KDPH). She moved to the College of Public Health at the University of Kentucky (UK) in 2011 as faculty in the Department for Health Behavior.
Dr. White returned to KDPH as Deputy Commissioner of Clinical Affairs in 2011. She is the Principal Investigator for multiple grants that include chronic diseases and substance use disorders. Dr. White also works in the state pandemic response. She is the medical advisor to the Kentucky Perinatal Quality Collaborative - a common table for providers, birthing hospitals, and insurers to improve the quality of maternal and newborn care in Kentucky.
Dr. White earned her bachelor's degree from Kentucky Wesleyan College. She completed a master's and earned her medical degree at the University of Kentucky. Dr. White was a Researcher in Teratology at the National Center for Toxicological Research in Arkansas. She finished her OB/GYN residency at the University of Louisville. Dr. White is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is the District Public Chair for the American College of OB/GYN (ACOG) District Public Health Chair.
Bethany Wilson, APSS
Peer Support Specialist
University of Kentucky PATHways Program
Lexington, Kentucky
Bethany Wilson APSS is a Peer Support Specialist for the University of Kentucky PATHways Program Throughout her career she has worked among community and behavioral health organizations focusing on prevention intervention and rehabilitation services Bethany has had the opportunity to support others through providing hospital visits performing HIVHCV testing and risk reduction counseling recovery planning with individuals including those experiencing incarceration outreach in various community settings oneonone peer support sessions and treatment group facilitationcofacilitation
