IOMC sets 2nd maternal and child health symposium for Sept. 28 in Chicago

The Institute of Medicine of Chicago will host its 2nd Maternal & Child Health Symposium on Sept. 28, 2026, at Malcolm X College in Chicago, offering up to 5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. The daylong event will focus on health equity, maternal health disparities and community-driven solutions for mothers, infants, children and families.

Why it matters: - The symposium is aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes by centering health equity, disparities and community partnerships. - The event brings together clinicians, researchers, educators, policymakers and community organizations around strategies that could improve care for mothers, infants, children and families. - The program is approved for up to 5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, which gives it added value for clinicians seeking continuing education.

What happened: - The Institute of Medicine of Chicago is holding its 2nd Maternal & Child Health Symposium on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. - The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. CT at Malcolm X College in Chicago. - The symposium is organized by the IOMC Maternal & Child Health Workgroup. - The event is open to people committed to improving maternal and child health. - Registration information is available through the institute's announcement.

The details: - Beena Peters, vice president at IOMC and chair of the Maternal & Child Health Workgroup, said the symposium is meant to help participants build connections and amplify impact across the field. - Archana Chatterjee, president of IOMC, said maternal and child health is central to the group's health equity mission and that the event will examine clinical practices, policy barriers and community-led solutions. - Ian Jasenof, vice chair of the Maternal & Child Health Workgroup, said collaboration between clinical care and community partnerships can create transformative changes. - The symposium will examine the intersection of clinical care, public health, social determinants and community partnerships. - The agenda is built around evidence-based presentations and discussions on maternal health disparities, access to care, emerging technologies and community-based programs. - Speakers include Simbo Ige on Chicago infant mortality and racial life expectancy gaps, Jacqueline Hairston on obesity and obstetric care, and Lovelle Reynolds on structural and social determinants of maternal and child health. - Melissa Simon will address whether AI and FemTech can reduce, rather than widen, maternal health disparities. - Aron Sousa will speak on improving health outcomes for moms and babies through cash. - Karie Stewart and Ian Jasenof will discuss a culturally adapted model for community maternal health care. - Panelists will also include Tonia Branche on integrated clinical and community support, Lisa Green on community-centered maternal freedom medicine and level II ultrasounds for high-risk patients, Marie Heffernan on sensory overload research tied to parents' experiences, and Karin Weber-Gasparoni on oral health and maternal health. - The event has sponsorship support from Canon and Golden Square, with Health News Illinois serving as media partner. - Sponsorship and exhibitor inquiries go to sponsorship@iomc.org. - Media and interview requests go to media@iomc.org.

Between the lines: - The speaker lineup signals a broad view of maternal health, tying clinical care to policy, technology, social conditions and community delivery models. - The inclusion of sessions on AI, cash transfers and culturally adapted care suggests IOMC is looking beyond traditional hospital-based care to address disparities. - Positioning the event as interdisciplinary reflects a push to move maternal and child health work toward coordinated, systems-level action rather than isolated interventions.

What's next: - IOMC will host the symposium on Sept. 28 and use the event to generate actionable strategies for health equity and measurable improvement in maternal and child health. - Interested attendees can register through the institute's event information. - Sponsorship and exhibitor outreach will continue ahead of the symposium.