August 2024

National Breastfeeding Month

Our new Associate Director, Selina Lao Mason!

We're excited to announce that Selina has stepped into the Associate Director role at PTBi. With her experience in project management and community partnerships, Selina brings a unique energy and a deep commitment to our work.

Get to know Selina in our full announcement.

New findings from the mFICare study

We explore whether increased parental involvement leads to better outcomes for preterm infants. The mFICare study is comparing standard Family Centered Care (FCC) with mobile-enhanced Family Integrated Care (mFICare) in three NICUs. It was found that mFICare effectively provides parent classes, mentorship, greater care involvement, and app features to support families.

Calling All Content Creators and Storytellers — We are hiring!

PTBi is seeking a Creator and Storyteller to enhance its digital presence. This role involves producing engaging video and social media content across platforms like Instagram and TikTok, collaborating with community members, and managing content strategy. Ideal candidates will have a strong creative drive and experience in digital media. Join us in making a meaningful impact for families and babies!

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Seeking Black Parents and Caregivers

The Center and Care study hopes to interview 20 Black caregivers who have had preterm infants in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in the Bay area in order to gain family perspectives about how the medical system and our society can best support the long-term health of Black preterm infants. The study team is in need of two more participants.

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Meet PTBI's New Writer and Communications Manager

Lou Bustamante is a skilled writer and journalist, with over 14 years’ experience writing for local and national publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle. He has authored two books, including the Official Downton Abbey Cocktail Book, and specializes in crafting engaging stories that resonate with readers. He most recently worked as a marketing writer for Touro University California, covering the wide range of programs, from eduction to osteopathic medicine.

Bay Area born, raised (Fremont), and educated (UC Berkeley), Lou is a first-generation Mexican American who believes in the power of putting good energy into the world and community. Fluent in English and Spanish, Lou has a passion for connecting with diverse communities and writing about their unique perspectives and stories.

California Office of the Surgeon General is developing a risk assessment

PRIMA (Preconception Risk Medical Assessment) is a self-administered questionnaire to identify potential medical risks before pregnancy being developed by the Office of the Surgeon General. They are looking for anyone of reproductive age to help validate the survey, inclusive of partners to pregnant individuals. Consider taking 10 minutes to help test this important health assessment. The first 50 individuals to complete the survey will receive a $10 gift card.

Access The Survey

Western Center on Law and Poverty's birthing justice virtual webinar - August 29

Join the Western Center on Law and Poverty’s policy advocates on Thursday, August 29 from 12:00 - 1:00 pm PT for an interactive conversation on expanding access to birth centers and eliminating bias in birthing care and delivery. Together with Black Women for Wellness Action Project and the California Black Women’s Health Project, they will explore ways to improve Black maternal health outcomes, and build on ways to ensure racial equity in healthcare.

Change up your Zoom background for August!

Paul T. Winfeld, a birth justice advocate and surrogate father, is featured on this month's Zoom background.

Download Background

LA County Medi-Cal Doula Hub is hiring!

The hub will ensure that the Medi-Cal doula benefit is collaboratively implemented by Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans, LA County Department of Public Health (DPH), community partners and doulas, so that doulas can prioritize birthing families in the most marginalized communities. They are seeking to fill several roles: social media/communications manager, graphic designer/tech support, and web designer.

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