2025 Maternal and Child Health Conference

2025 MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CONFERENCE

Thursday, April 10, 2025 | ALL DAY

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

1 Seminole Way | Hollywood, FL 33314

On behalf of the Broward Healthy Start Coalition, we are privileged to extend a warm invitation to the 2025 Maternal & Child Health Conference. As we gather on April 10, 2025, we’ll embark on a journey that underscores the vital importance of maternal health in shaping the well-being of our communities.

Maternal health lies at the heart of our mission. Broward Healthy Start Coalition has promoted that mission for more than 30 years. It is not merely a topic of discussion; it is a beacon guiding our efforts to create a healthier, more resilient future. Let us reflect on its significance:

Empowering Mothers: A healthy mother is the cornerstone of a thriving family. When mothers receive proper care during pregnancy and childbirth, they are better equipped to nurture their children, fostering a cycle of well-being that extends across generations.
Reducing Disparities: We recognize that maternal health disparities persist, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. By addressing these inequities head-on, we can ensure that every mother receives the care she deserves, regardless of her background or circumstances.
Early Intervention: Prenatal care and early intervention play pivotal roles in preventing complications and promoting positive outcomes. Our collective commitment to education, awareness, and accessible services can make a profound difference.
Holistic Approach: Maternal health encompasses physical, emotional, and social well-being. Let us explore holistic approaches that consider medical aspects, mental health, nutrition, and social support.
Advocacy and Collaboration: As advocates, we have the power to influence policies, allocate resources, and amplify mothers’ voices. Collaborating across sectors can create an environment where maternal health thrives.

We’ll stand united—healthcare professionals, home visitors, case managers, and social workers—all committed to advancing maternal and child health. Let this conference catalyze change, ignite conversations, foster connections, and continue “Healing Legacies & Changing Futures.”

View Highlights from our 2024 Maternal and Child Health Conference

Meet Our Presenters

Keynote Speaker

Chanel Porchia-Albert CD, CPD, CLC, CHHC, is a prominent health policy advocate and co-director of JustBirth Space. She is known for her transformative contributions to reproductive and maternal health equity across city, state, and federal platforms. As the founder and president of Ancient Song, Inc., Chanel has led vital policy initiatives to address racial disparities in maternal care, advocating for Black and Latinx communities and championing reproductive justice. Her influence in health policy has sparked collaborations with the NYC Department of Health, AMCHP, and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, where she has presented her work on the critical need for culturally respectful, equitable maternal care.

Presenter

Dr. Kathleen Green is a board-certified army-trained OB-GYN who works full-time for Maven Clinic (the world’s most prominent digital clinic supporting women and family health). Dr. Green supports women and families in all stages of their life and spent four years as an active-duty army OB-GYN and five years in academic medicine. She also works part-time at Advent Ocala doing OB hospitalist shifts. She loves working for Maven as it allows her to meet women where they are and allows her to bridge the gap between traditional brick-and-mortar medicine, which often leaves women feeling unheard and unseen.

Presenter

Natacha Dalberiste is a mom of 3, licensed psychotherapist, entrepreneur, author, and qualified supervisor in Florida for post-graduate interns. Her passion for maternal mental health was fueled by her personal experience with pregnancy loss and birth trauma. Following these unfortunate events, she received training in trauma-focused modalities and maternal mental health and became the group practice owner of Dalberiste Counseling & Wellness. Their specialties include maternal mental health, anxiety, depression, trauma, pregnancy loss, and couples therapy. Natacha is passionate about helping women heal and rediscover themselves. She also enjoys discussing maternal mental health and burnout prevention on various platforms. In her downtime, she enjoys self-care activities and spending quality time with her family and friends.

Presenter

Jean-Robert Menard has worked with fathers for over 15 years. He graduated with a Degree in Human Sciences from Florida State University. He was the Supervisor of the TEAM Dad program and is currently working with Broward Healthy Start Coalition as the Program Manager of Healthy Families Broward. He is part of the Healthy Families Fatherhood Engagement Advisory Committee, which continues to strive to improve services for fathers within the Broward community. He has facilitated workshops within the community for fathers on the importance of their role and the impact of fathers on their children. He continues to deliver the message of Fatherhood involvement.

Emcee

Nicole Deggins, CNM, MSN, MPH, is one of the country’s leading birth advocacy experts named “The Midwife Shifting the Narrative” by ESSENCE Magazine. She is a sought-after trainer, public speaker, and community educator working to eliminate perinatal disparities and bring transparency to prenatal education and the medical obstetrical system. As the founder and CEO of Sista Midwife Productions (SMP), she is dedicated to helping individuals and communities create a paradigm shift around the experience of giving birth. She is the creator of the largest online Black Midwife and Doula directory and the signature Sista Midwife Birth Sister/Doula training. Nicole uses 30 years of experience working with pregnant women and families to train and support birth workers, communities, and organizations that work with childbearing families. Nicole creates enlightening and engaging programs through webinars, keynotes, live workshops, and events. Nicole teaches that Birth is The Revolution, and through birth, we can heal our communities.

Presenter

Dr. Andrew Migliaccio is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who treats a variety of mental health conditions through a holistic lens. He completed medical school and graduate training at the University of Pennsylvania, where he developed a passion for community health and underserved populations. At the core of his practice is applying the recovery model to those facing challenges with mental illness, trauma, or addiction. He has extensive experience helping individuals overcome substance use disorders but is also informed by harm reduction principles in approaching serious illness. Dr. Migliaccio is the medical director at the Memorial Outpatient Behavioral Health Center in Davie, where he collaborates with a multi-disciplinary team, empowering individuals with the skills and tools to heal, including using medications for addiction treatment (MAT). An important and deeply rewarding part of their care program focuses on supporting mothers in recovery during their pregnancies and after delivery. He recognizes the importance of safe and effective treatment strategies for women in various stages of family planning. Dr. Migliaccio previously served as Director of Behavioral Health in a non-profit clinic providing care to sexual and gender minority populations.

Presenter

Laney Poye serves as the Director of Communications and Engagement for the Preeclampsia Foundation, supporting the three pillars of its mission (Community, Research, and Health Care Improvements) at the heart of the Foundation’s work. Laney enjoys overseeing the development of scientifically accurate and accessible content in English and Spanish for www.preeclampsia.org. Laney earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in International Affairs from Florida State University, where she specialized in women’s health issues in low-resource settings.

Presenter

Daniel Thompson is a father and community member, originally from St. Maarten. As a dedicated father to both boys and girls, he balances his family life with a passion for his maintenance, plumbing, and mechanics work. Daniel enjoys playing basketball and football in his free time, immersing himself in video games, and listening to music. His diverse interests and skills make him a well-rounded individual who values his career and personal life.

Presenter

Dr. Michael A. Schenker has been a Licensed Psychologist in private practice for over 25 years in Broward County. He completed his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. Before practicing full-time, he worked for nearly 10 years with children with severe emotional and behavioral difficulties in a Miami-Dade County Elementary school in Hialeah, FL. Dr. Schenker treats children, adolescents, adults, and families at his Pembroke Pines office. Throughout his career, he has presented on numerous occasions on Positive Parenting. He and his Psychologist wife, Dr. Maite Schenker, have been married for 31 years and have been blessed with two awesome children.