HOPE (Healthy Outcomes and Positive Experiences) for Georgia Moms is the name given to the State Maternal Health Innovation and Data Capacity grant awarded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in September 2022. The name reflects the desire for the program to connect resources and be action-oriented so that all moms survive and thrive in Georgia. To do this, the program purposefully seeks out the experiences of moms and support persons, key organizational stakeholders, and clinicians serving people who are giving birth to derive and provide the most appropriate resources needed to achieve this overarching goal.
Mission: To advance a foundation of respectful and equitable care for all birthing persons to not only survive but thrive across Georgia.
Vision: Healthy outcomes and positive equitable experiences for all birthing persons in Georgia.
Mary Lou Wilson has over 30 years of nursing leadership, having served as Vice President of Patient Services for five different hospitals. She also has several years of experience as Executive Director of Women’s Services at four different health facilities. During her time out of hospital leadership, she was the Director and Practice Administrator of a Breast Center of Excellence. She has been with Northeast Georgia Health System for 5 years and during that time has worked to develop strong partnerships with medical staff of Women and Children’s and other clinical areas, the community of Gainesville and Braselton, GA, and service lines that crosswalk care for women of all ages. In 2022, she co-authored the federal HRSA grant to establish a Maternal Cardiac Program at NGHS. She is currently Executive Sponsor of the HOPE for Georgia Moms program.
Heidi Ehrenreich, PhD, MPH, is a public health scientist and maternal health program leader with over 15 years of multidisciplinary experience spanning academic research, public health practice, health systems innovation, and global health. Dr. Ehrenreich holds a Ph.D. and MPH in Health Promotion and Behavior from the University of Georgia, and a BA from Amherst College. She is currently completing an MBA at Augusta University with a focus on healthcare administration. Her career includes extensive experience in health systems research, both domestically and internationally. Internationally, Dr. Ehrenreich worked as a health scientist in Germany at the AOK-Bundesverband and Stiftung Gesundheitswissen, conducting applied research on chronic disease prevention, evidence-based medicine, and long-term care quality improvement. Earlier in her career, she was an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Fellow at the CDC, where she contributed to injury prevention and quality improvement initiatives such as the STEADI toolkit. Her academic background includes teaching positions at the University of Georgia’s College of Public Health, where she designed and delivered undergraduate courses in chronic disease prevention and program evaluation. Throughout her career, Dr. Ehrenreich has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing evidence-based practice, addressing health equity, and building cross-sector partnerships to improve population health.
Dr. Bridgette Schulman has 20 years of experience as Labor and Delivery nurse, Nurse Educator and Clinical Practice Specialist for Women and Children’s Services. She led the implementation of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) Postpartum Hemorrhage 3-State Collaborative from 2014-2016; is the hospital representative in the Georgia Perinatal Quality Collaborative (GaPQC); revised the AWHONN Obstetric Patient Safety (OPS): OB Emergencies Workshops; and serves as an OPS instructor trainer. Dr. Schulman has Bachelor degrees in both Psychology and Nursing, Masters in Nursing Education, and PhD in Nursing with a focus on Interdisciplinary Health. She has professional certifications in Inpatient Obstetric (RNC-OB) and Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM) and is a Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS). As Outreach Manager, Dr. Schulman liaisons with nursing and physician leaders, community organizations, public health professionals, and payors across the state to assess any gaps in care and programming. In cooperation with the Regional Perinatal Center Medical Directors and Educators, Dr. Schulman facilitates implementation of AIM Patient Safety Bundles at health facilities across Georgia.
Maribel Luviano is a dedicated and passionate Maternal Health and Innovation Project Manager at Northeast Georgia Health System. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Services and Informatic Administration from the University of North Georgia, Maribel brings a strong academic foundation to her role, combining both healthcare expertise and technological insight to drive innovative solutions. Maribel is dedicated to advancing maternal health initiatives, emphasizing the importance of innovation in healthcare delivery. She is particularly passionate about addressing health disparities that affect diverse communities, striving to foster an inclusive environment where all individuals have access to quality healthcare services. Fluent in Spanish, Maribel bridges communication gaps and effectively engages with both Hispanic and non-Hispanic populations, enhancing the outreach and impact of the programs she manages. By fostering open communication and understanding within these communities, she aims to empower individuals to take charge of their health and navigate the healthcare system more effectively.
Dr. Maya Watford is a clinical pharmacist, who has a B.S. in Biology from Georgia State University and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her residency training at Wellstar Cobb Hospital before beginning as a Cardiology Care Pharmacist at Georgia Heart Institute at Northeast Georgia Health System in 2023. She has also worked for 3 years as an Inpatient Pharmacy Intern at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital prior to her residency. Dr. Watford is an active member of national and Georgia chapters of the Society of Health System Pharmacists.
Robin Clyatt is a dedicated maternal health professional with three decades of experience in nursing, midwifery, and community health education. Currently serving as a Maternal Health Community Outreach Coordinator, Robin is passionate about improving maternal outcomes through strategic partnerships, simulation-based training, and quality improvement initiatives across Georgia.
Her career spans diverse roles, including certified nurse-midwife, labor and delivery nurse, and obstetric nursing faculty. Robin has worked in both urban and rural healthcare settings, including travel assignments in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where she provided full-scope midwifery care. She has also served as a preceptor for midwifery students and led regional maternal outreach programs that emphasize hands-on learning and emergency preparedness.
Robin is currently pursuing a PhD in Nursing at Georgia State University, building on her academic foundation that includes a Master of Science in Nurse-Midwifery from Philadelphia University and dual associate degrees in Nursing and Radiologic
Technology. Her certifications include Nurse-Midwifery, Electronic Fetal Monitoring, and RNC-OB certification
Outside of her professional work, Robin enjoys hiking, pickleball, crochet, and reading.