As part of its initiative to improve the health of mothers and their young children, the Community Health Foundation of Western and Central New York (now the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York) has awarded a total of $75,000 in grants to five organizations to expand midwifery services for low-income women in central New York.

Each of the following organizations will receive $15,000 in funding plus technical assistance to support the development and/or implementation of a sustainable business plan for providing midwifery services to low-income women:

• Bassett Medical Center, an acute care inpatient teaching facility in Cooperstown, New York

• Linda Lovig, CNM, PLLC, an established private midwifery practice in Syracuse, NY.

• Oswego County OB-GYN, P.C., a private practice with locations in Oswego and Fulton, NY

• Traditions Midwifery, PLLC a new, private midwifery practice in Syracuse, NY.

• Upstate University Hospital at Community General, an academic medical center located in Syracuse, NY  

The Foundation’s maternal and child health initiative  focuses on improving the health and health care of children up to age one and women of child bearing age living in poverty in central New York, with a strong emphasis on “hot spot” neighborhoods that have higher rates of high-risk pregnancies, low birth weights and infant death.

These “hot spots” include neighborhoods in Utica, Rome, Blossvale and Taberg in Oneida County; Syracuse in Onondaga County; Little Falls and Cold Brook in Herkimer County; and Richland, Altmar, Williamstown and Pulaski in Oswego County.

“Despite strong evidence that show good outcomes for babies delivered by midwives, the number of Licensed Midwives in central New York is low compared to other parts of the state. By supporting the development and growth of midwifery services for low income women in the region, the Foundation wants to improve the health of mothers and their babies,” Ann F. Monroe, president of the Community Health Foundation of Western and Central New York, said.

For more information on the Health Foundation's efforts to improve maternal and child health, click here.