Skip to main content

News / BRAVE Clinic Spotlight: Empowering Recovery for Pregnant and Postpartum Women

BRAVE Clinic Spotlight: Empowering Recovery for Pregnant and Postpartum Women

Published Aug 28, 2025

Becky Floyd, MSW, LCSW 
Mental Health Case Manager II, BRAVE Clinic

In 2024, Mercy was awarded a $1.3 million grant from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to launch a groundbreaking initiative: the BRAVE Clinic. BRAVE stands for Building, Recovery, Advocacy, Validation and Empowerment — a name that reflects the clinic’s deep commitment to supporting pregnant and postpartum individuals affected by substance use disorders. 

BRAVE’s Mission

At BRAVE, we believe that every recovery journey is unique and worthy of compassion. Our trauma-informed approach honors the lived experiences of our patients, creating a safe and inclusive space where healing can flourish — for both parent and child. We walk alongside individuals from pregnancy through one year postpartum, offering care that promotes resilience, dignity and long-term wellness. 

The BRAVE Team

The BRAVE Clinic is powered by a multidisciplinary team of experts who bring heart and skill to every patient interaction. 

  • 2 physicians 
  • 2 part-time nurse practitioners 
  • 2 LCSW case managers 
  • 1 LPC/LCSW therapist 
  • 1 registered nurse 
  • 1 medical assistant 
  • 1 integrated substance use specialist from Queen of Peace Center 

Spotlight On Our Physicians

  • Kimberly Brandt, D.O., is a board-certified general psychiatrist specializing in perinatal mental health and addiction medicine. She is certified in Perinatal Mental Health (PHM-C) and has published research, spoken at national conferences and trains other physicians in perinatal psychiatry. Her goal is to help patients thrive using medications as one of many tools to improve quality of life. 
  • Daniel Jackson, M.D., is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, maternal-fetal medicine, and addiction medicine. Raised in rural Missouri, Dr. Jackson is passionate about expanding access to care in underserved communities. His expertise allows BRAVE to offer coordinated care for complex maternal and fetal conditions alongside substance use and mental health treatment. 

Comprehensive Care Under One Roof

BRAVE is open to Missouri residents who are pregnant or up to one year postpartum and living with a substance use disorder. We offer both in-person and telehealth visits to eliminate transportation barriers and reach patients statewide. Patients can self-refer, removing the need for a physician’s referral and making care more accessible. 

What makes BRAVE unique is its integrated care model, combining: 

  • maternal-fetal medicine 
  • perinatal psychiatry 
  • addiction medicine 

This allows us to treat a wide range of conditions in one clinic, including: 

  • maternal health issues (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, hepatitis) 
  • mental health conditions (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD) 
  • fetal concerns (e.g., birth defects, genetic conditions) 
  • substance use disorders 

We provide Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), therapy, peer support, trauma-informed case management, assistance with housing, legal navigation and more. 

Beyond Substance Use: Holistic Support

BRAVE helps patients establish OB care in their communities and connects them to: 

  • inpatient detox and residential treatment 
  • intensive outpatient programs (IOP) 
  • support groups 
  • postpartum relapse prevention services 

Thanks to our partnership with Queen of Peace Center, patients have direct access to residential care and embedded peer support. 

Measuring Impact

BRAVE is data-driven and outcome-focused. We track metrics such as: 

  • reduction in maternal mortality 
  • NICU admissions 
  • MAT enrollment 
  • appointment participation rates (telehealth vs. in-person) 
  • geographic reach and referral sources 
  • waitlist volumes and barriers to care 

Collaboration & Advocacy

Our team meets weekly to discuss high-risk cases and coordinate care across inpatient and external providers. We also attend family team meetings with the Missouri Department of Social Services to advocate for patients working toward sobriety and parenting success. 

Looking Ahead

The BRAVE Clinic is more than a medical facility — it’s a movement toward healing, empowerment and equity. We’re proud of the lives we’ve touched and the barriers we’ve helped dismantle. As we grow, our goal remains clear: to stand with every parent on their journey to recovery and help them build a brighter future. 

Back

Topics