Perinatal Mental Health Film Screening & Panel Discussion

Women of color face a multitude of disparities from conception to postpartum. These disparities are not due to biological differences but are attributable to systemic bias and inequalities. For example, Black women are twice as likely to experience infertility and perinatal mood disorder and statistically less likely to receive care for these conditions. Please join BPOU and the University of Utah Department of OB/GYN as we take a take a deeper dive into these concerns and screen the films Black Motherhood and When the Bow Brakes as a community.

We will be screening Black Motherhood & When the Bough Breaks. The tailer for these films can be found on this eventbrite page.

Panelists:

Dr. Michelle Debbink, MD, PhD, is Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist that serves as the Vice Chair for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for the ObGyn Department at the University of Utah. Dr. Debbink believes in the mission of justice, equity, and radical belonging for Black, Indigenous, and other people of color. Her department of ObGyn wishes to welcome BPOU Pre-med and medical students for shadowing opportunities that have an interest in the field Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Jeelan Fall, DNP, is a Certified Nurse Midwife and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner providing full scope services including routine gynecologic care throughout the lifespan, contraception, pre-conception counseling, pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum care. Jeelan is a first-generation graduate with a life-long calling to the world of childbirth and women’s health. She believes in the philosophy of shared decision-making between patients and their care providers. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Utah. Dr Fall has a particular passion for maternal health disparities and how they tie into increased rates of morbidity and mortality among mothers and neonates who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). In her free time, she enjoys traveling to any place in the world with a beach and spending time with her family.

Kera Thompson is an Indiana native and a long-time resident of Utah who lives in Cottonwood Heights with her husband, and four children. She is a yoga teacher, model, and event host. She lives by the motto: "Know who you are, love who you are, and lead with an open heart."

Lydia Kia is a lifestyle blogger who has describes herself as a "hippie mom." She is a content creator, but also runs a successful real estate side hustle.

Host or Publisher Black Physicians of Utah