The MIRACLE Center, a partnership among Michigan State University, Henry Ford Health, and Corewell Health, is expanding a new maternal health project into Wayne County. Any outpatient clinic, community-based group, or social service agency serving pregnant or postpartum people can receive free technical assistance by contacting the project team at miracle.qi@msu.edu.
The project’s goal is to improve health during pregnancy and the year after birth. Up to 80% of deaths during this time are preventable, and most happen outside of hospitals. The effort, called Scale-up Implementation Approaches to Ending Maternal Health Disparities, brings evidence-based “maternal safety bundles” to clinics, community groups, and other providers who care for pregnant and postpartum people.
These bundles, part of the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health–Community Care Initiative (AIM-CCI), provide step-by-step tools to improve maternal healthcare safety and quality. They cover issues such as mental health, high blood pressure, intimate partner violence, and follow-up care after birth. The bundles can integrate seamlessly into existing services.
“Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for organizations to put these bundles into action,” said Dr. Jennifer Johnson, co-principal investigator of the MIRACLE Center and C.S. Mott Endowed Professor of Public Health. “We know that small, evidence-based changes in routine care can have a huge impact on outcomes for moms and babies. By working together with local partners in Wayne County, we can save lives, reduce complications, and build a stronger maternal health system. This opportunity should not strain the capacity of organizations but strengthen and support their ongoing efforts.”
The project starts with listening. MIRACLE Center staff meet with agency leaders to learn about their strengths and challenges, then work together to choose the bundle elements that will help most. Agencies can begin with one or two elements and add more later.
Participation offers several benefits:
- Free, proven tools to improve care
- Support from experienced staff
- Opportunities to share ideas with other local agencies at quarterly meetings
- Public recognition as a MIRACLE Center partner
Wayne County is the first of 12 counties in Michigan to take part in this project. Together, these counties include nearly 6 million residents. The project measures results and costs, with the goal of expanding across the state and country.
“Wayne County has incredible healthcare providers, community health workers, doulas, social workers, and educators already working tirelessly to support families,” said Jaye Clement, vice president of community health programs and strategies at Henry Ford Health. “The bundles simply give them more tools, structure, and resources to keep people safe and healthy during and after pregnancy.”
Any Wayne County clinic, community-based group, or social service agency serving pregnant or postpartum people can learn more by contacting the MIRACLE Center team at miracle.qi@msu.edu.
September 16, 2025
