Nicholson Foundation Sponsors NJ Spotlight News Roundtable on Nurture NJ Strategic Plan

4.6.2021
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News

The Nicholson Foundation’s Chief Strategy and Evaluation Officer, Kim Boller, PhD, joined other experts for an April 1, 2021 Nicholson-sponsored NJ Spotlight News virtual roundtable discussion of the Nurture NJ Strategic Plan, which aims to make the state the safest and most equitable in the nation to give birth. 

Joanna Gagis of NJ Spotlight News moderated the panel, and First Lady Tammy Snyder Murphy made introductory remarks.  In addition to Dr. Boller, the other panelists were:

  • Charletta Ayers, MD, MPH, Associate Professor Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University.
  • Ronsha A. Dickerson, CD, Supervisor and Lead Doula, of Community Doulas of South Jersey, which is a grantee of The Nicholson Foundation.
  • Vijaya Hogan, DrPH, independent consultant, Adjunct Professor, Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Public Health, UNC-Chapel Hill. Dr. Hogan oversaw the development of the Nurture NJ Strategic Plan.​

Currently, Black mothers in the state are seven times more likely than White mothers to die from pregnancy-related complications.  In addition, Black babies in New Jersey are three times more likely than White babies to die before their first birthdays.  The Nurture NJ plan, which The Nicholson Foundation and Community Health Acceleration Partnership funded, seeks to reduce maternal mortality in the state by 50 percent over five years.

In her opening remarks, Mrs. Murphy emphasized that successful implementation of the plan depends on a number of groups and individuals – the state, private philanthropy, nonprofits and communities – working together to achieve its goals.

Echoing those comments, Dr, Boller urged everyone to “dig into the plan and act. Sign the commitment form.  Find your recommendation, bring your creativity and we’re going to get this work done.”

  • Download a copy of the strategic plan.
  • Watch a replay of the NJ Spotlight News Roundtable: