2025 MO PQC Maternal & Infant Symposium: A Celebration of Connection, Innovation and Culture Change
Published Nov 6, 2025
The 2025 Missouri PQC Maternal & Infant Symposium brought together over 170 passionate professionals, advocates and community leaders for three days of learning, collaboration and bold ideas. From Dr. Kathryn Menard’s opening keynote on North Carolina’s Pregnancy Medical Home model to breakout sessions on rural OB access, doula integration and trauma-informed care, the event was a testament to Missouri’s commitment to improving outcomes across the maternal-infant continuum. The symposium opened with a powerful message from Alison Williams, MO PQC lead, who challenged attendees to embrace an abundance mindset — reminding us that we already have the tools, talent and partnerships to drive meaningful change.
Throughout the event, a clear theme emerged: changing the culture is key to changing outcomes. Sessions like “Compassion as Strategy” with Richard Bottner, Ph.D., and “When Birth Becomes Trauma” with Dr. Sharon Dekel emphasized the importance of empathy, trauma-informed care and listening to patient voices. Breakouts on perinatal mental health, lactation-informed support and family-centered NICU design showcased how clinical innovation and community wisdom can work together to transform care. The lunch & learn sessions on payment models and state initiatives highlighted the policy shifts and infrastructure needed to sustain these changes.
One of the most energizing moments of the symposium was the overwhelming response to the Ask Me 5 pledge. Attendees from across disciplines committed to asking five key questions that center patient voice, build trust and improve care. This initiative reflects a growing movement to make respectful, informed conversations a standard part of every maternal health encounter — and it’s already gaining traction across Missouri.
As the symposium wrapped up with final breakout sessions and lunch & learns, the energy in the building was unmistakable: Missouri is ready — ready to lead with compassion, collaborate across sectors and reimagine what’s possible for families. With data-driven strategies, community-rooted solutions and a shared vision for equity, the MO PQC is helping shape? a future where every birth is safe, supported and celebrated.