Keynote Speaker
Joia Crear-Perry, MD, FACOG
As the founder & Director of the National Birth Equity Collaborative, Dr. Crear-Perry
identifies & challenges the root causes of health inequities. She is a highly sought-after
trainer & speaker who has been featured in national & international publications,
including Essence & Ms. magazine. In 2020, Dr. Crear-Perry was honored by USA Today
in its “Women of the Century” series & featured on ABC Nightline’s “Hear Her Voice.”
Dr. Crear-Perry has twice addressed the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner
for Human Rights to elevate the cause of gender diversity & urge a human rights framework
toward addressing maternal mortality. Previously, she served as the executive director
of the Birthing Project, director of women’s & children’s services at Jefferson Community
Healthcare Center, & as the director of clinical services for the City of New Orleans
Health Department. Dr. Crear-Perry currently serves as a principal at Health Equity
Cypher & on the Board of Trustees for Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Community Catalyst,
National Clinical Training Center for Family Planning, & the University of California,
San Francisco Preterm Birth Initiative. She is an adjunct professor at Tulane School
of Public Health. After completing undergraduate studies at Princeton University &
Xavier University, Dr. Crear-Perry received her MD from Louisiana State University
& completed her residency in obstetrics & gynecology at Tulane University’s School
of Medicine. She is married to Dr. Andre Perry & has three children (Jade, Carlos,
& Robeson) & one grandson (Quinn). Her love is her family; health equity is her passion;
maternal & child health are her callings.
OUR SPEAKERS
Margot Carr, MSN, RN
Margot Carr is the Manager of Oncology at Ivinson Memorial Hospital and has over a decade of experience in various specialities. After earning her nursing degree from the University of Wyoming in 2014, she worked in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units around the country as well as a neonatal/pediatric critical care transport team at Children’s Hospital of Colorado.
Since joining Ivinson in 2023, Margot has led several initiatives to strengthen rural healthcare, including developing a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program, creating an Interfacility Ambulance Transfer Service, and advancing clinical education across the organization. She is passionate about improving access to specialized care through sustainable solutions that improve outcomes for rural patients and healthcare.
Erin McKinney, MSN, RN
Raised in Cheyenne, Erin earned her Bachelor’s in Nursing from the University of Wyoming and later obtained her Master’s in Nursing Leadership from Western Governors University. Her interest in community health and maternal/neonatal care was sparked during nursing school and has continued to grow throughout her career.
Erin began her professional clinical career as a Labor & Delivery nurse at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, where she has since transitioned into leadership roles in 2005. She currently serves as the Clinical Director of Women & Children’s Services and is just celebrated her 25th year at CRMC.
Throughout her career, Erin has worked alongside passionate colleagues to implement and expand Plans of Safe Care (PoSC) in Wyoming, from training and education to steering committee leadership. In 2022, she testified before the Wyoming Legislature, advocating for the passing of W.S. 35-2-1401, a policy that has significantly strengthened PoSC efforts statewide.
Beyond her work at CRMC, Erin is deeply involved in community leadership. She serves as the Board President for United Way of Laramie County and is a past Co-Chair of the Wyoming Perinatal Quality Committee.
A devoted Wyoming Cowboys & Cowgirls fan, Erin, her husband Matt, and their boys spend many Saturdays cheering on the Pokes—whether it’s a crisp fall afternoon or a snowy, wind-filled evening. Above all, Erin treasures time with her family and friends, creating memories and strengthening the ties that make Cheyenne home. Known for her quirk to add laughter to the important work that we GET to do, she thrives on watching individuals meet their fullest potential – and a little sideline coaching for a 4th quarter Pokes comeback!
Sarah Morey
Sarah Morey is the Executive Director and cofounder of Earthside Birth and Wellness Center, Wyoming's first and only nationally accredited birth center. Sarah leads the birth center team and manages operations, teaches childbirth classes, and offers lactation counseling. With a background spanning doula work, childbirth education, lactation, nutrition, and midwifery education, Sarah brings firsthand experience, including her own natural births, to her work expanding access to community based maternity care. Sarah has gained experience in maternal health access, healthcare systems, public policy, navigating the regulatory, licensing, accreditation, and reimbursement challenges that shape access to birth options for Wyoming families. In 2026, she collaborated with Wyoming legislators to successfully pass legislation enabling Medicaid reimbursement for birth center facility fees, helping advance sustainable access to community birth in the state.
Nathan Blue, MD
Dr. Nathan Blue is a maternal–fetal medicine specialist and physician–scientist at the University of Utah. His research uses technologies such as AI and telehealth-integrated digital tools to improve how we identify and manage risk in pregnancy, with the goal of making care more individualized and proactive. Clinically, he provides high-risk obstetric services across the region, including in Jackson and Rock Springs, Wyoming, and is deeply committed to expanding access to high quality obstetric care through telehealth and provider education programs like Project ECHO.
Jenna Murray
Jenna Murray is an MD/PhD candidate in the University of Utah’s Medical Scientist Training Program. She earned a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology from Colorado College in 2017 and a Master of Public Health from Dartmouth College in 2021. Jenna worked as a research fellow with the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s Native American Program prior to moving to Utah, where she is pursuing an MD with a graduate certificate in Tribal, Rural, and Urban Underserved Medicine and a PhD in Health Systems Research from the Department of Population Health Sciences. Her doctoral research examines how social networks and kinship shape recovery among Native Americans participating in a culturally responsive perinatal substance use program. As an Eastern Shoshone scientist and aspiring OB/Gyn, Jenna aims to advance community-driven, reciprocal research that honors sovereignty and traditional knowledge as essential tools to enhancing the health of Indigenous communities.
Michelle Debbink, MD, PhD
Dr. Debbink is a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and Associate Professor at the University of Utah in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Her clinical interests include complex maternal and fetal care, with a particular emphasis on high quality, responsive care for structurally and historically marginalized pregnant people with high-risk pregnancies. She has focused her clinical, professional, and investigational efforts on the structural and community level factors that contribute to racial and geographic health equity in pregnancy outcomes. She has worked with community partners to conduct community-engaged mixed-methods research with Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and Native American/Indigenous mothers to understand community risk and resilience related to maternal morbidity and perinatal health. She also has expertise in geographic population health and social epidemiology analyses which inform and bolster qualitative and community led research. She currently serves as the Departmental Vice Chair for Culture, Resilience, and Community Health Partnerships for the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department and on the state of Utah's Maternal Mortality Review Committee. Dr. Debbink earned her MD and PhD in Health Services Organization and Policy at the University of Michigan. She completed her Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at the University of Michigan and her Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship at the University of Utah.
Jasmin Charles, PA
Jasmin E Charles, certified Physician Associate, 2024 AAPA PA of the year is the Clinical Director of SUPeRAD (Substance Use & Pregnancy, Recovery, Addiction, Dependence) clinic; a specialty multi-disciplinary perinatal addiction program built on 4 pillars: direct patient care, education, research and advocacy. SUPeRAD clinic is in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at the University of Utah where Jasmin has the appointment of Clinical Assistant Professor. She is also a Medical Clinician on several NIDA funded research trials for PARCKA (Program of Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, Advocacy) in the Division of Epidemiology; Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Utah where she has a special interest in research with pregnant and postpartum people. Additionally, she is a visiting lecturer and lead coordinator for Women's Health rotations for the University of Utah Physician Assistant Program. Jasmin received her undergraduate degree from Utah State University and completed the PA program at the University of Utah. She is a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Association of Physician Associates in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the American Academy of Addiction Medicine and the Utah Association of Physician Assistants where she acts as the current President Elect. Her areas of clinical interest and expertise include all aspects of women's healthcare with particular interest in substance use and pregnancy, marginalized population care, women's health care of incarcerated individuals, treatment and research around Hepatitis C and Syphilis, pregnancy, family planning and preventative health care. Prior to joining the OBGYN Department at the University of Utah, Jasmin practiced with the Community Health Centers as a family practitioner. In her free time she enjoys attending Bar Method fitness classes, hiking with her giant doodles Olive and Migo, attending fundraisers, and spending time with her family in their adventure van.
Shauna Mae Filion
Shauna Mae Filion, known to everyone as "Momma Shauna," is a medical assistant lead at University of Utah Health's SUPeRAD Clinic (Substance Use & Pregnancy — Recovery, Addiction, and Dependence). For the past seven years, she’s served as the clinic’s care coordinator and emotional backbone — welcoming patients, following up when they miss appointments, and sometimes going out to find them in person when they don't answer the phone.
Her commitment is personal: Shauna has been in recovery for 25 years and treats her patients with the same love she’d want shown to her own daughters. She believes everyone deserves to feel loved and cared for, especially at the moment they’re brave enough to ask for help. Colleagues describe her as the constant her patients can always count on.
Rachael Duncan, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Rachael is a Colorado-based clinical pharmacist who has been working in the perinatal quality improvement space for the past five years. She has extensive experience implementing perinatal addiction treatment services, with a special focus on rural and frontier communities. She is Co-Founder and Chief Clinical Officer of Epifluence, a clinician-led consulting entity that supports quality improvement organizations. She serves as Program Director of Maternal Overdose Matters Plus (MOMs+), a program that supports several state perinatal quality collaboratives in implementation of the AIM patient safety bundle for substance use disorder, helping birthing hospitals build maternal addiction treatment infrastructure. Rachael has led statewide and national efforts to expand access to naloxone and overdose prevention, offer addiction treatment, and improve maternal and infant health outcomes. She currently practices in a rural hospital setting.
Jorie-Brae Morgan, CLC
Jorie-Brae is a Birth + Postpartum doula along with a Lactation Counselor and loves every moment of it. She’s certified and trained as a Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, VBAC Doula, High Risk Doula and Lactation Counselor to support clients. She is known for her warmth, patience, and intuitive ability to learn and guide people in the newness of parenthood. Whether Jorie’s clients find themselves in the midst of labor or navigating the beautiful chaos of life with a newborn, she is there to walk alongside them every step of the way. With her training and hands-on life experience, Jorie’s aim is to cultivate a safe and nurturing environment where her clients feel empowered to make decisions that resonate with their unique journey. She is deeply honored to accompany her clients on their path to parenthood, offering unwavering support, guidance, and a sprinkle of joy & laughter along the way!
Alison Batwin, BA, CLC
Ali Batwin is a co-owner of Sanctuary CARES, a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), and a postpartum doula. Ali feels passionately that all families deserve support and strives to bring doula work to families in Colorado and beyond. She was inspired to work in maternal and infant health from a young age as she watched her mother create nutrition programs for moms and babies in developing countries. She is a CLC with the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice, a CAPPA-trained postpartum doula, a yoga instructor, and a family chef. Prior to her career in maternal health, Ali worked in media and managed several small film and marketing firms. She’s particularly passionate about cooking and baking and continuously studies postpartum healing recipes from various traditions and cultures. Ali speaks conversational Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.
Jessica Hanlin, MSW, LCSW
Jess Hanlin is a co-owner of Sanctuary CARES, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and a postpartum doula. Jess began this work after becoming a mother herself, recognizing the importance of support around all aspects of postpartum care, especially maternal mental health. Her own experience with postpartum depression and anxiety after the birth of her daughter was a ground-shaking and deeply humbling experience. Having a drastically more grounded and supported postpartum experience after her son’s birth drew her back in the field, interweaving the roles of postpartum doula and therapist, leading to a beautiful marriage of nurturing postpartum care and maternal mental health support in the home setting. Jess is a CAPPA-trained postpartum doula, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, postnatal and restorative yoga instructor, and has completed extensive advanced training in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders.
Eugene Declercq, PhD, MBA
Dr. Eugene Declercq is a Professor of Community Health Sciences at the Boston University School of Public Health and Professor on the faculty of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Boston University School of Medicine. He’s collaborated on 5 studies on women’s experiences in childbirth entitled Listening to Mothers(LtM), with the most recent LtM4 released in June, 2026. Dr. Declercq is the creator of the website www.birthbythenumbers.org. His recent research has focused on maternal mortality and severe morbidity and he’s currently a member of the Massachusetts Maternal Mortality Review Committee.
Amy Chen, JD
Amy Chen is a Senior Attorney at the National Health Law Program (NHeLP), where she works on sexual and reproductive health law and policy. Her work focuses on efforts to reduce maternal health disparities and address systemic barriers to comprehensive pregnancy care. She also leads NHeLP’s Doula Medicaid Project, which works to expand access to full spectrum doula care for all pregnant, postpartum, and post-pregnancy people.
Before joining NHeLP, Amy worked at Bay Area Legal Aid in Oakland, California for eight years, where she provided direct legal services to individuals and families across the San Francisco Bay Area and advocated on a wide range of issues including health care reform, Medi-Cal, Covered California, and private health insurance.
Amy has three children and had a doula for all three births.
Senator Gary Crum, BS, MBA
Senator Gary Crum is a distinguished executive, public servant, and community leader whose remarkable career spans banking leadership, state politics, and elite athletics. A proud alumnus of the University of Wyoming, Gary earned a B.S. in Finance and later completed his MBA at the University of Utah.His early athletic career laid the foundation for lifelong leadership. A two-time All-State athlete at Rawlins High School, he later served as Team Captain and All-Conference football player at the University of Wyoming and was ultimately drafted by the Miami Dolphins. Gary later transitioned to coaching, helping secure the 1984 National Championship at Montana State University. He also spent decades giving back to sports, officiating high school championships and NCAA Division I football for 20 years, including seven bowl games.
In 1986, Gary channeled his competitive drive into banking. He quickly climbed the ranks, serving as President of First Interstate Bank in Laramie and later as corporate EVP, where he engineered programs that generated $1 billion in growth. In 2006, he founded Wyoming State Bank in his basement. As Chairman and CEO, Gary navigated the 2008 financial crisis and executed strategic mergers to scale the organization—renamed Western States Bank—into a $515 million institution with 13 regional offices. He then orchestrated its sale to the First National Bank of Omaha in 2022.
Gary’s dedication to Wyoming extends into public service and extensive community governance. He represents District 10 in the Wyoming State Senate and chairs the Ivinson Hospital Board of Directors, leading the facility to a Top 100 U.S. Rural Hospital ranking for seven consecutive years. A passionate advocate for youth development, he is a dedicated Scoutmaster and serves on the National Executive Board for Scouting America as Chair of the National Operations Leadership Committee, following impactful tenures as Council, Area, and Western Region President.
Jessi Colehour, MSW, LCSW
Jessi Colehour is the Executive Director of Laramie Reproductive Health, however she considers herself a social worker first with her background in domestic violence, homelessness, and I/DD. She did therapy for 3 years, got her LCSW, and came back to nonprofit work when the calling for reproductive justice opened up. She has only been doing this position for 1.25 years, however, has been an advocate for this work her whole life. Her favorite part of her workday is being able to be at an organization that is intersectional with all the different populations she has worked with previously and continually states she will "die at this desk in a good way" for finding work that is so passionate to her that she never plans to leave; and being able to provide equitable access to reproductive healthcare is a mission that continues to drive that passion. Her favorite hobbies are deep connections and taking her dog, Kevin, to the park every chance she gets.
Sheila Bush, MPP
Sheila Bush is the executive director and chief lobbyist for the Wyoming Medical Society, responsible for managing staff, supporting the Board of Trustees, and advocating for physicians. A key connector for state healthcare, she founded Wyoming Medicine magazine and the Wyoming Leaders in Medicine program.
She graduated from the University of Wyoming in 2005 with degrees in classical piano performance, English, and philosophy. Active in her community, Sheila serves on numerous healthcare, policy, and arts boards, earning recognition for her leadership service.
On weekends, she enjoys camping, skiing, or traveling with her husband and two teenage sons. With nearly two decades in advocacy, she remains deeply committed to physician interests and state health.
Jen Davis, DPT
Jen is a 2001 graduate of Northern Arizona University with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Her practice has primarily focused on pediatric physical therapy. She also has experience in geriatric, outpatient, and neurological rehabilitation and taught as an adjunct professor for Human Anatomy and Physiology and Medical Ethics at Laramie County Community College.
In 2012, Jen embarked on a new career path in child advocacy as the Director of the Wyoming Citizen Review Panel focusing on advocacy related to the child welfare system. While at the Wyoming Citizen Review Panel, Jen expanded the organization to include Prevent Child Abuse Wyoming and became an affiliate of the home visiting program, Parents as Teachers. Through her commitment to the prevention of child abuse and neglect, Jen moved into the role of Consultant for the Wyoming Children’s Trust Fund. Then in November of 2019 Jennifer left her position to work for Governor Mark Gordon as the Health and Human Service Senior Policy Advisor. Her portfolio included the Department of Corrections, Family Services, Health and Insurance, as well as the many stakeholders across Wyoming. After five years in the Governor’s Office, Jen transitioned into the role of Executive Director of the Wyoming Primary Care Association focusing on elevating health care in Wyoming.
Jen is married to a military veteran and they share two children, Hayden and Paige. Jen likes to spend her time with family outdoors in the Wyoming wilderness and exploring new locations across the globe.
Stefan Johansson
Governor Mark Gordon appointed Stefan Johansson as Director of the Wyoming Department of Health, on February 28, 2022. Stefan joined the department in 2013. Stefan has also served as the department’s Policy Administrator, Deputy Director, and Interim Director.
Stefan studied political economy and public policy for both his bachelors and advanced degrees. He was born in Amarillo, Texas and has lived and worked in many places -- including California, New York, Montana, and Sweden -- but he is proud to call Wyoming home.
Kelsey Prestesater, JD
Kelsey Prestesater is an attorney and healthcare policy professional currently serving as Vice President of the Wyoming Hospital Association. Her work focuses on healthcare law, public policy, regulatory compliance, and advocacy on behalf of Wyoming's hospitals and nursing homes. She is a new member of the Wyoming Maternal Mortality Review Committee and has lobbied for maternal and early childhood health in Montana and Washington D.C.
Prior to joining the Hospital Association, she worked in both private practice and state government, including healthcare regulatory and enforcement work in Wyoming, Washington, and Montana. She has worked in Wyoming for several years and is passionate about improving access to quality healthcare for Wyoming families, particularly in rural communities.
Her professional interests include maternal and child health, healthcare workforce challenges, and policies that strengthen the healthcare delivery system across the state. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, exploring the outdoors, camping, traveling, and enjoying Wyoming's and Montana's natural beauty.
Andy Goulet
Andy Goulet is a scribe, poet, and musician with dpict. He lives in Easthampton, MA and is based out of the lovely Fort Future studio, which hosts workshops, meetings, celebrations, and other community-focused events.
Our Exhibitors
MTPAL Psychiatric Access Line is an additional free too to help Providers feel more comfortable and confident in decision making.
The Wyoming Delta Dental Foundation is dedicated to providing access to quality dental care through innovative and educational programs, (including oral health education to new mom's through our healthy little smiles program) and works to promote the importance of oral health to all Wyomingites.
Marani Health delivers the nation's most comprehensive digital maternal health platform, integrating AI, remote physiologic monitoring, and clinical care management throughout pregnancy and postpartum. We empower providers to identify risk earlier, intervene sooner, and deliver equitable, high-quality maternal care regardless of where a patient lives.
The Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) is the national, cross-sector commitment designed to lead in the development and implementation of patient safety bundles for the promotion of safe care for every U.S. birth. The AIM TA Center provides expert technical support and capacity building to multi-disciplinary state-based teams, most often perinatal quality collaboratives, leading targeted quality improvement (QI) via implementation of patient safety bundles.
The Naloxone Project is combating the stigma behind the opioid epidemic by creating an equitable and sustainable medical system that provides naloxone and saves lives.
The Laramie Breastfeeding Coalition is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization made up of any health care professional or individual interested in promoting a breastfeeding culture in Laramie, Wyoming. Each year in our community, approximately 500 women give birth. We strive to provide these women and their partners with quality resources, education, and support regarding breastfeeding.
SAFE Project's mission is to empower and advocate for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking while promoting sustainable practices that support long-term healing. Our education and awareness efforts focus on prevention, improved community response, and outcomes in Albany County.
Since 1989, the Wyoming Public Health Association (WPHA) has worked to promote and protect the health of Wyoming communities through education, advocacy, and strong public health policies. WPHA supports a skilled public health workforce and advances equitable access to care and essential services while “Promoting a Healthy Wyoming.”
Postpartum Support International supports families and educates professionals on perinatal mental health, including pregnancy and postpartum mood disorders. It offers free resources like a helpline, online support groups and peer mentors.
Laborie is a global medical technology company specializing in Gastroenterology, Urology, and Maternal & Child Health. As we grow our business and expand our product offering, we may move into more medical segments and new specialty areas.
We manufacture and deliver high quality, high impact diagnostic and therapeutic products that help clinicians and hospitals improve patient outcomes through progressive technology and best practices. Clinicians and hospitals look to us as the market-leading experts in our areas of specialty, and we support our products with a Clinical Education & Information Program.
The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) is a professional organization dedicated to advancing the health of women and newborns by supporting nurses through evidence-based education, research, advocacy, and clinical resources.
The Wyoming Maternal Action Network (WMAN) is the maternal mortality prevention work group with members from across Wyoming who are experienced in maternal and infant health. The purpose of WMAN is to serve as the "action arm" of Wyoming's Maternal Mortality Review Committee. WMAN is administered and organized by the Wyoming Primary Care Association in contract with the Wyoming Department of Health Maternal and Child Health Unit Maternal and Infant Health Program.
HCA/HealthONE Presbyterian St Luke’s is the highest level and largest neonatal intensive care unit in the Rocky Mountain region where high-risk moms and high-risk babies can be treated under the same roof.
Through strategic collaborations in rural communities, the American Heart Association is fostering sustainable, systems-level change to improve cardiovascular health and reduce health disparities. In Wyoming, we are tackling critical risk factors like maternal child health, high blood pressure, nutrition insecurity, mental well-being, and tobacco/vaping, along with cardiac emergency preparedness and strengthening the chain of survival.
The University of Wyoming has earned its Research Level 1 (R1) status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, placing Wyoming's only four-year university with the top research universities in the United States.