Event Recap — Exploring Maternal Health in KanCare: The Care Team

4 Min Read

Sep 09, 2025

By

Sheena L. Schmidt, M.P.P., Shelby C. Rowell, M.P.A.,

Alexa Heseltine

A promotional graphic for the Kansas Health Institute's (KHI) Policy Series. The graphic features a dark gray panel on the left with a white U.S. Capitol icon above the text "KHI POLICY SERIES." Below, the Kansas Health Institute's logo and tagline, "Informing Policy. Improving Health." are displayed. On the right, large bold blue text reads "Exploring Medicaid in Kansas" against a light beige background. The website "khi.org" appears in the bottom right corner.

On Sept. 9, KHI held the third session in the Exploring Medicaid in Kansas series, Exploring Maternal Health in KanCare: The Care Team. The session examined the care team, including doulas, lactation consultants and community health workers in maternal and infant health for Medicaid beneficiaries in Kansas. It highlighted recent policy changes regarding maternal health and the role of health care teams in providing culturally competent, personalized care and support during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. Participants gained an understanding of how these services contribute to health outcomes and equity in maternal care under KanCare. 

Event recording is posted below.

Event Highlights 

  • Maternal Care Team Overview: Participants learned about the maternal care team and related policies under KanCare. 
  • State Perspective: The Kansas Department of Health and Environment shared how the state is approaching maternal care for Kansas Medicaid members. 
  • KanCare Conversations: Managed care organizations discussed their approaches and benefits for supporting maternal care. 
  • Voices from the Care Team: Various care team members shared their experiences meeting community needs and shaping maternal health policy. 

Speakers 

State Perspective

  • Shalae Harris, M.P.A., B.S.N., Deputy Director of Medical Bureau-Kansas Medicaid, Kansas Department of Health and Environment 
  • Stephanie Jerguson, B.S.N., R.N., C.C.M., Healthy First Steps Maternal Program Coordinator, United Healthcare Community & State Kansas 
  • Thamara Subramanian, M.P.H., Health Equity Director, Healthy Blue Kansas 

Care Team Perspective

  • Brenda Bandy, IBCLC, Executive Director, Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition 
  • Mariah Chrans, Ph.D., Programs Director, Community Health Council of Wyandotte County 
  • Sapphire Garcia, B.S., Executive Director, Kansas Birth Justice Society 
  • Sharla Smith, B.S., M.P.H., Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of Kansas Medical Center 
  • Terrah A. Stroda, C.N.M., M.S., A.P.R.N., OB/GYN, Stormont Vail Flint Hills, OBGYN Department 

This event is a part of a four-part series. Attend all four sessions and we’ll send you a special keepsake as a token of our appreciation for your commitment! 

About Kansas Health Institute

The Kansas Health Institute supports effective policymaking through nonpartisan research, education and engagement. KHI believes evidence-based information, objective analysis and civil dialogue enable policy leaders to be champions for a healthier Kansas. Established in 1995 with a multiyear grant from the Kansas Health Foundation, KHI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization based in Topeka.

Learn More About KHI