Special OB-GYN grand rounds to focus on Black maternal mortality

The health crisis of maternal death among African American women after childbirth can feel like a foreign concept – until it happens to someone you love.  

Research shows that new mothers are often at risk for serious – and sometimes life-threatening – complications after giving birth. But minority populations, specifically African American women, are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  

To offer a personal perspective on this alarming issue, Anthony Wallace Jr., who lost his wife, Chaniece Wallace, M.D., from a pregnancy complication, will address USA Health staff and medical students during an OB-GYN grand rounds presentation at 7:30 a.m. Friday, March 29, in the Atlantis Room at Children’s & Women’s Hospital.  

Anthony Wallace Jr.

The lecture, sponsored by the Mobile Metropolitan Medical Society (MMMS), will specifically address Black maternal mortality.  

Chaniece Wallace, M.D., grew up in Mobile and earned a medical degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2017. As the pandemic gripped the U.S., she was named chief resident in pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine in the fall of 2020. Two days after the birth of her daughter in October that year, the 30-year-old wife and new mother lost her life to preeclampsia, a condition some pregnant women develop causing high blood pressure that can threaten the kidneys, brain, liver, and other vital organs. That year, the pediatrician was one of 700 women in the U.S. who died from pregnancy-related complications. 

“We are honored that Mr. Wallace agreed to travel to Mobile to share his story with our residents, medical students and healthcare teams,” said Eddrice McMullan, M.D., a USA Health physician and president of the MMMS, a service organization of female physicians of African descent. “It’s so important for us to continue to raise awareness about the serious health issues and disparities in maternal mortality so we can save more women.”   

While there is no charge to attend, guests are asked to sign up on the Google sheet so there will be enough chairs and breakfast available for everyone.  

For those who cannot attend in person, they may register for the lecture on Zoom.

A second opportunity to hear Wallace speak will be on Thursday, March 28, when he will offer a presentation for University Hospital staff and College of Nursing students at a brown bag lunch event in the 2nd floor conference room at University Hospital.