Wisconsin DHS Accepting Applications for Maternal Mortality Review Team (MMRT)

From the WI DHS MMRT:

Background

The Wisconsin Maternal Mortality Review Team (MMRT) is a multi-disciplinary group of professionals that reviews case-level (de-identified) information about deaths of Wisconsin residents that occur during pregnancy or within one year of the end of pregnancy. The purpose of the MMRT is to make recommendations on changes in systems and practices that are intended to result in prevention of future deaths.

The Maternal Mortality Review Team is committed to broad membership inclusion, embracing the idea that a diverse member representation improves the team as it reviews cases from a number of perspectives. The team seeks professional, geographic, economic, gender, racial, and ethnic diversity.

The team is specifically looking for new members that could represent the following, although this is not an exhaustive list: forensic pathology or medical examiner; behavioral health; community advocacy; community-based doula; criminal justice and legal system; emergency medicine; Home Visiting, Healthy Start, and WIC programs; hospitals and hospital associations; racism and discrimination experts; rural health; social work; Tribal organizations; Medicaid; infectious disease; and violence prevention.

Commitment

Team members are expected to commit to a year-long membership with the opportunity to recommit annually. All MMRT members serve in a volunteer capacity and do not receive compensation. Team members are expected to attend six all-day meetings per year, currently held virtually via Zoom.

It is estimated that there is an average of eight to 10 hours of case reviews in advance of each meeting.

Read more about the current Maternal Mortality Review Team.

Application

To apply, please send a resume/CV (or brief bio) and statement of interest to the Maternal Mortality Review Team (DHSMMR@dhs.wisconsin.gov) by March 31, 2023.

The statement of interest should answer the following questions in one to two pages:

  • Why do you want to join the Maternal Mortality Review Team?
  • What perspectives and contributions would you bring to the Team?
  • What is your approach to dealing with discussions about potentially difficult topics, such as health inequity, race, politics, mental health, substance abuse, or sexual orientation? Please provide a specific example.
  • What is your approach to understanding the perspectives of colleagues or patients from different backgrounds? Please provide a specific example of a time when you worked with a colleague or team with a different background/culture than yours, and how you made sure to be inclusive of their identity.

The Wisconsin Maternal Mortality Review Team (MMRT) will be hosting two 60-minute virtual Q&A sessions if you are interested in asking questions or connecting with program staff members before you submit your application (Zoom details linked below):

  • Session 1 will be on Tuesday, March 14 at 3:00 PM
  • Session 2 will be on Thursday, March 23 at 12:00 PM

If you have any questions, please contact the MMRT Program Coordinator, Mary Winkers (mary.wienkers@dhs.wisconsin.gov).