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Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee

The death of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth, or the year postpartum is a rare and tragic event. Maternal health experts are actively searching for answers about why the ratio of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States is higher than other developed nations, why it is increasing, and why the disparity by race/ethnicity is widening.

Maternal Mortality in Oregon

In Oregon, over the past 10 years, the number of maternal deaths per year has ranged from 4 to 12. However, the current method of case finding may undercount actual deaths by as much as one-third. It is also important to note that for every woman who dies, there are approximately 50 who suffer severe maternal morbidity--very severe complications of pregnancy, labor, and delivery that bring them close to death. Oregon’s maternal death rate, measured as the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, varies from year to year due to the overall small number of deaths but is typically at or below that of the U.S. overall.

Oregon Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee Biennial Reports

2023 Oregon Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee Biennial Report

2020 Oregon Maternal Mortality and Morbidity review Committee Biennial Report

HB 4133: Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee

In the 2018 legislative session, Oregon passed House Bill 4133 which gave direction to the Oregon Health Authority to form the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee. Read the full bill text.

About the Committee

The committee will:

  • Conduct studies and reviews of incidents of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity in Oregon.
  • Examine whether social determinants of health are contributing factors to the incidence of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity.
  • Share findings and information with health care providers and facilities, social service providers, law enforcement, and many others.

Members are appointed by the Governor and may represent one or more of the following communities:

  • Family Medicine physician
  • OB/GYN physician(Mental 
  • Maternal Fetal Medicine physician
  • Licensed registered labor and delivery nurse
  • Licensed registered nurse who is certified as a midwife
  • Licensed direct entry midwife
  • Doula
  • Traditional health worker (see definition from sos.state.or.us Chapter 410)
  • Community-based organization representative (that focuses on communities of color and reducing racial and ethnic health disparities)
  • Community-based organization representative (that focuses on mental health)
  • Maternal and child health subject matter expert from the Oregon Health Authority
  • Public health expert
  • Medical examiner

Executive Appointments Board Roster

Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee

Member Name
Committee Position
Term
Alivia M Feliciano
Chair
Community Based Organization                         05/21/2022 - 05/20/2026
Representative (Communities of Color)

Mark W Tomlinson
Vice-chair
Maternal Fetal Medicine Physician
05/21/2023 - 05/20/2027
Silke Akerson
Licensed Direct Entry Midwife
10/25/2022 - 10/24/2026
Telia Anderson
Doula
10/25/2022 - 10/24/2026
Emily Baird
Member At Large
10/25/2022 - 10/24/2026
Sarah E Cole
Licensed Registered Labor and Delivery Nurse
05/21/2022 - 05/20/2026
Melissa Li
Medical Examiner
09/01/2023-08/31/2027
Kendra Harding
Community Based Organzation Representative (Mental Health)
10/25/2022 - 10/24/2026
Desha Reed-Holden
Member At Large
09/01/2023-08/31/2027
Jackie Leung
Traditional Health Worker
05/21/2023 - 05/20/2027
Emily Yeast
Licensed Registered Nurse and Certified Midwife
09/01/2023-08/31/2027
Willow Merchant
Member At Large
10/25/2022 - 10/24/2026
Jeanne S Savage
Family Medicine Physician
05/21/2022 - 05/20/2026
Wendy J Smith
OB/GYN Physician
10/25/2022 - 10/24/2026
Sabrina Villemenay
Public Health Expert
09/01/2023-08/31/2027