From Fragmentation to Connection: Digital Health Solutions for Equitable Perinatal Support

IN PERSON or ON LINE (12:30 pm MST)

In collaboration with Health Everywhere & W21C, the Department of Community Health Sciences and the O’Brien Institute for Public Health present:

From Fragmentation to Connection: Digital Health Solutions for Equitable Perinatal Support

• In-person: Rose Room, please register via the form below. A light lunch will be provided to in-person registrants.
• Online: Please register via Zoom.

Despite advances in healthcare, many perinatal systems remain fragmented and difficult to navigate, especially for marginalized communities. This discussion explores how patient-centred digital health platforms can improve communication, continuity, and cultural responsiveness. Panellists will highlight emerging innovations and the importance of engaging parents as partners in care design.

With UBC School of Nursing Panellists

Laura Sandström is a Finnish midwife and post-doctoral researcher dedicated to advancing maternal health. She has developed an evidence-based intervention for fear of childbirth and promotes seamless integration between primary care, midwifery, and specialized services. Her work focuses on research-driven maternity care and promoting equity and quality through close collaboration with families, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and fellow researchers.

Dr. Jenny Auxier heads the Parent Health Engagement Lab at the School of Nursing in UBC. Her research program aims to integrate elements of parent engagement into the development, design, and quality assurance of perinatal digital health services. Families experiencing the perinatal journey require self-assurance, health, and wellness coaching within a supportive and dependable perinatal service. The core aspect of her research program is to meet new and expectant families ‘where they are at’ in exploring together the interplay between the burgeoning digitalization of health services and the important position of families in their adaptation, use and expectations of digital health services. Dr. Auxier lived and worked in The Netherlands and Finland between 2018 and 2024 and brings research experience from diverse cultural and healthcare service contexts, namely related to health professional-to-client coaching, and the digitalization of health care services, including the impacts and implications of the widespread integration of generative AI in health services. Dr. Auxier is partnering with communities whose current priorities are improvement for supporting culturally secure access and navigation experiences of racialized groups in Canada.