Montana healthcare Archives - Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies: the Montana Coalition

Written by Chelsea Bellon, Native American Initiatives Program Manager

In 2024, an intentional partnership was formed between the Native American Initiatives (NAI) Program at HMHB-MT, the Western Montana Area Health Education Center, and the Family Medicine Residency Program of Western Montana. Their shared goal: to strengthen maternal health in Tribal Communities across Montana by engaging collaboration and connection.

This vision was brought to life by Chelsea Bellon, Drew Babcock, and Amy Stiffarm, who represented these organizations focused on core priorities—ensuring statewide representation, providing financial compensation for participation, facilitating resource sharing, and amplifying community voices.

With support from the St. Joseph Fund, Montana’s first Native American Maternal Health Community Advisory Board (The CAB) was created.  Its founding members brought diverse perspectives and deep commitment to the work.  The founding members included: Adriann Ricker, Audrey Jackson, April Charlo, Ellen BigSam, Kaycee Martinez, Lauren Small-Rodriguez, Ticia Cliff, Savannah Smith, Mattea Grant, Danielle Vazquez, Margaret Ann Adams, Alissa Snow, Joshlyn Snow, Charlene Ramirez, and Julianne Denny. In its first year, The CAB focused on conducting a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis, identifying resource gaps and needs, and creating space to share personal experiences that shaped and inspired their dedication to maternal health.

With the support and encouragement of our partners at St. Joseph Fund, The CAB was able to grow and prioritize growth and engagement for the second year. The New Year new and some returning members shared their interest and work related to maternal and family health. The second year of The CAB members are: Danna Runsabove, Dani Vazquez, Mary Ellen Lafromboise, Amber Daniels, Kaycee Martinez, Alyssa Schock, Melissa Gordon, Amber Birdinground Cummins, Ticia Cliff, Ni’Cole Triplett, Charlene Ramirez, Misty Pipe, Gerlinda Morrison, Jules Denny, Heather Fourstar, Donnell Buckles, and Sisi Whiteman. Additional facilitators and advisors include: Margaret Ann Adams and Diona Buck. In an effort to expand representation across the state, the second year CAB members capture Tribal program managers, healthcare providers, Birthworkers, and advocates supporting and leading maternal and family health initiatives in their communities.

Growth Initiatives

This year, the CAB will focus on collaboration and growth. CAB members will engage with organizations and working groups through brainstorming and listening sessions. They will also have access to engaging professional development opportunities that align with their cultural values.

Recently, CAB members met with University of Montana students to discuss programming opportunities to support families with special medical needs. They participated in discussions about available resources, the support they provide, and the gaps they have observed when seeking specialty medical care.

While the CAB does not function as an Institutional Review Board (IRB), it seeks to collaborate with organizations, committees, and working groups to engage in meaningful conversations that can guide improvements in maternal health outcomes and enhance understanding of Native perspectives in Montana’s urban and rural communities. Organizations or individuals interested in meeting virtually with the Native American Maternal Health Community Advisory Board can contact Chelsea Bellon at chelsea@hmhb-mt.org or fill out this Meeting Request Form.

The facilitators recognize the importance of supporting CAB members’ professional and personal development goals. CAB members can request financial support for training, education, or community-building initiatives related to maternal and family health. Nurturing and empowering leaders in this field remains a key priority.