Pitt Psychiatry Juneteenth: Focus on Black Maternal Health

Brock, Cunningham, and Pannell

On June 19, 2025, members of the Department of Psychiatry and UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital community gathered for a screening of a portion of the documentary film Aftershock, which addresses the Black maternal mortality crisis in the United States.

David Lewis, MD (Chair, Department of Psychiatry) opened the event, noting, “While the topic of this documentary is sobering, we are incredibly fortunate that our guests today include members of our community who are doing outstanding work to support the physical and mental health of Black mothers and families in Pittsburgh.”

Following the screening, Paula Powe, MD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry) moderated a panel discussion featuring three UPMC experts in maternal health, who discussed the uplifting work they do for the community:

  • Montia D. Brock, LPC, NCC, IMH-E, CLC, CD(DONA), Behavioral Therapist II, Magee Behavioral Health
  • Memourie Cunningham, Community Doula, The Birth Circle Doula Program, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital 
  • Bonita Pannell, Director, Womens Outreach, UPMC Magee-Womens Health Service Line

The panelists discussed the numerous ways that they work with mothers before, during, and after the birth of a baby to provide information, attend to physical and mental health needs, and ensure access to the numerous pre- and post-partum resources provided by UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital 

The Department is grateful to Montia Brock, Memourie Cunningham, and Bonita Pannell for sharing their expertise.