A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Oct. 27, celebrating the official launch of OSU Maternal and Addiction Recovery Care, the first of its kind in eastern Oklahoma.

Housed under the OSU Obstetrics and Gynecology clinic, the new program, with funding from the George Kaiser Family Foundation, brings together OSU’s expertise in addiction medicine, behavioral health, OB/GYN and pediatrics to meet the needs of pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorders.

“Becoming a mother is one of the most meaningful and transformative seasons of a woman’s life, and for women struggling with substance use, it can be a powerful time of motivation to seek treatment and begin recovery,” said Dr. Erin Brown, chair of the OB/GYN department at OSU Medicine.

Brown said women who are trying to find prenatal care, additional treatment and mental health counseling often must juggle different providers, locations and appointment times while also facing transportation, housing and childcare challenges.

When navigating the healthcare system becomes another obstacle instead of a source of support, Brown said many women just go without the care they need.

“What makes the OSU Maternal and Addiction Recovery Care program truly different is that women can receive comprehensive obstetric care, addiction treatment, mental healthcare and social services in one coordinated visit,” Brown said.

Between 2018 and 2022, nearly a quarter of pregnancy-associated deaths in Oklahoma involved substance use disorder.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest maternal mortality review, mental health conditions were the leading underlying cause of pregnancy-related death.

“Those numbers represent women who deserve effective care and families whose futures we have an opportunity to change,” said Dr. Kelly Dunn, chief of addiction medicine and vice chair of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at OSU Center for Health Sciences. “Every woman who comes through these doors deserves to be heard, treated with respect and offered care grounded in evidence.”

Kimberly Butler, senior program officer at the George Kaiser Family Foundation, said she wanted to offer this kind of comprehensive care to women in need for years and found the perfect partner with OSU Medicine.

“I found physician champions in obstetrics, psychiatry and addiction medicine who were already hoping to start this very clinic. They didn’t need convincing; they needed a partner,” Butler said.

Other community partners joined the program as well, including Family and Children’s Services, Oklahoma Birth Equity Initiative and many others.

Butler said in addition to healthcare services, each patient also works with a social worker who can connect her to housing, transportation, childcare and other community services. The patient is also paired with a doula who works with her through the pregnancy, delivery, postpartum months and pediatric referrals while she works on her recovery.

OSU-CHS President Johnny Stephens said better healthcare starts before birth, with proper prenatal care that can change the trajectory of a child’s life at the earliest developmental stages.

“I’m so very proud that OSU Medicine is playing a role in providing extra support and resources for moms who need it most. We believe that good healthcare means coordinated care and providing access to that care,” Stephens said. “This program is the first of its kind in eastern Oklahoma, bringing addiction treatment protocols directly into an OB/GYN clinic.”

Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols attended the ceremonial ribbon-cutting and said that pregnancy and the postpartum period can bring significant physical, emotional and personal challenges. And for women who are navigating substance use disorders, those challenges can seem even more significant.

“If I’m a mother and I suffer from addiction, if you were to ask me ‘where is my resource’ yesterday, or the week before or a year ago, I’d probably tell you ‘I don’t know,’” Nichols said. “With great pride, I’ll now be able to tell every mom who might be in that situation, ‘go see my friends at OSU.’”

For more information, call 918-586-4530 or visit the OSU Maternal and Addiction Recovery Care webpage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is OSU Maternal and Addiction Recovery Care?

The OSU Maternal and Addiction Recovery Care program is the first program of its kind in eastern Oklahoma, providing comprehensive care for pregnant and postpartum women experiencing substance use disorders. Located within the OSU Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology clinic in Tulsa, the program integrates prenatal care, addiction treatment, mental health services and social support into one coordinated care experience.

What services does OSU Maternal and Addiction Recovery Care provide?

The program coordinates comprehensive obstetric care, addiction medicine treatment, behavioral health services and social support during pregnancy and postpartum recovery. Patients also work with social workers who connect them to community resources, including housing, transportation and childcare assistance, and receive support from doulas throughout pregnancy, delivery and the postpartum period.

Who is eligible for OSU Maternal and Addiction Recovery Care?

The OSU Maternal and Addiction Recovery Care program is designed to support pregnant and postpartum women experiencing substance use disorders who need coordinated medical, behavioral health and recovery services. The program helps women navigate the challenges of pregnancy, motherhood and addiction recovery while reducing barriers to accessing care.

How is OSU Maternal and Addiction Recovery Care different from traditional prenatal care?

Unlike traditional prenatal care, which may require patients to visit multiple providers for addiction treatment, mental health counseling and obstetric services, the OSU Maternal and Addiction Recovery Care program brings these services together in one coordinated visit. This integrated approach reduces barriers to care and provides additional support for women navigating substance use disorders during pregnancy and postpartum recovery.

Why is integrated maternal and addiction treatment important in Oklahoma?

Integrated maternal and addiction treatment addresses a significant maternal health challenge in Oklahoma. Between 2018 and 2022, nearly one-quarter of pregnancy-associated deaths in the state involved substance use disorder. By combining prenatal care, addiction treatment, mental health services and community resources, the OSU Maternal and Addiction Recovery Care program aims to improve access to care and support healthier outcomes for mothers and babies.