OBLS Arizona

The Arizona Perinatal Trust Receives an Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Grant Subaward (2023- 2027) to Deliver Grant Funded Obstetric Life Support Training (OBLS) Across the State 

In a collaborative effort to address maternal health outcomes through the health disparity lens, The Arizona Perinatal Trust (APT) in partnership with the Arizona Emergency Medical System (AEMS) join OBLS researchers from the University of Connecticut Health to provide funded OBLS training to first responders and perinatal healthcare workers across Arizona. Expert Interdisciplinary instructors provide simulation training in pre-arrest, arrest, and post-arrest care for maternal medical emergency/maternal cardiac management in geographical hubs (Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, Flagstaff, Scottsdale) using a train-the-trainer model. Participants then return to their organizations with support and equipment to provide additional staff training. Rural and resource limited organizations including those that disproportionately care for underserved and marginalized receive prioritization to address health disparities. 

Early adopters of this important training include:

‣ Banner University Medical Center Tucson

‣ ValleyWise Health Medical Center

‣ Mount Graham Regional Medical Center

‣ Gila River Health Care

‣ The Birth Nest

 If you would like to participate contact:

 Dr. Laurie Wood: Arizona Hospitals/Birthing Centers/Students:  Laurie@azperinatal.org

 Peggy Baker: Prehospital/Prehospital Coordinators/EMS: pbaker@aems.org

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Lisa Stephens, RN, BSN

Associate Director of RN Physician Practice Banner Diamond Children’s Multispecialty Clinic in Tucson.

Lisa serves as the Associate Director of RN Physician Practice at a Banner Pediatric Multispecialty Clinic. She received her BSN in Nursing from Valparaiso University. Lisa joined Banner Health in 2009 after moving to Arizona with her family from Northwest Indiana. She brings 27 years of nursing experience mostly associated in the NICU. She started out as a NICU bedside nurse, transitioned to a NICU transport nurse, became the clinical manager, and then the associate director where she led the team in several successful APT site visits. Lisa has a strong focus on quality and has served on multiple quality improvement teams with focus on patient care through the collaboration with physicians and health care providers.

 

In April of 2022, Lisa transitioned over to the Banner Pediatric Multispecialty Clinic where she oversees the staff for General Pediatrics and 16 different Pediatric Specialties.

Dr. Laurie S. Wood, Ph.D.

Dr. Laurie S. Wood, Ph.D., joined the Arizona Perinatal Trust as the chief executive officer in 2022. Laurie’s 28 years career span includes various leadership positions in the acute and behavioral health sectors in Arizona, Washington, Oregon, and California, with a history in operations and executive-level oversight. Past roles include CEO, COO, CNO, VP, AVP, executive, and WIS director. Dr. Wood’s leadership occurred in organizations representing each of the designated perinatal Levels of Care (I-IV) with experience in for-profit and nonprofit business models. Past employers include Oregon Health Sciences University, ValleyWise Health, HonorHealth, Kennewick General Hospital, and Connections Health Solutions. She also held faculty appointments with Educational Resources and Oregon Health Sciences University. Dr. Wood earned a BSN from CSU Humboldt, an MS from CSU Chico, and a Ph.D. in I/O from Grand Canyon University. Her research focus merges public health with organizational strategy to solve overarching societal problems directly targeting health disparities.

Warren Whitney

Senior Vice President of Government Affairs – Valleywise Health

Warren Whitney serves as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for Valleywise Health, a public teaching hospital and safety net health care system. He directs the health system’s government affairs programs, legislative agenda and real estate strategy.

During more than 30 years in federal, state and county government roles, Warren served as Assistant Director of the Arizona Department of Administration, Deputy Secretary of State, Chief Administrator of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, District 3, and as a District Field Representative for then U.S. Congressman Jon Kyl. Previous board positions include two terms as an elected member of the Madison Elementary School District governing board, serving as both president and vice president, Valley of the Sun United Way, Central Arizona Shelter Services, the Veterans Medical Leadership Council and the Phoenix Museum of History, where he served as board president. He was recognized by the Phoenix Business Journal as a “40 Under 40 Leader.” Warren earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Arizona State University, and an MBA in Health System Management from Grand Canyon University.

Rhonda Anderson, RN

Dr. Anderson was Chief Executive Officer of Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Mesa, Arizona, a Banner
Health hospital from 2009 to 2016 and prior to that held numerous CEO, CNO, COO positions throughout the United States.

She currently is a healthcare consultant for RMA Consulting of Arizona and consultant and surveyor for Global Healthcare Accreditation. (GHA) She is a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and American College of Healthcare Trustees (ACHT). She is currently president of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Vice Chair of the Arizona Perinatal Trust (APT), Chair of the Arizona Nurses Foundation for the Future of Nursing (ANFFN) and Chair of the Elders of her church. She currently serves on four editorial boards, Chamberlain College of Nurses Board of Trustees, Make A Wish Board, Scottsdale Center for the Arts Board, American organization for Nurse Leaders Board, Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association Board, Christian
Care Association Board, Products, Services and Education Committee for ACHE, Banyon Advisory Board of Directors, Proludent Board of Directors,
Motive Board of Directors, Grand Canyon University Nursing Advisory Board of Directors, Commission on Racism in Nursing Board of Directors, and Co-chair of the Commission on Nursing Reimbursement.

Dr. Michael MacKinnon

Dr. Michael MacKinnon is a Nurse Anesthesiologist (CRNA) and family nurse practitioner in Arizona. He is currently a managing partner in an anesthesia group located in the white mountains serving rural Arizonans. He received his doctorate from the University of Alabama and was inducted as a fellow in the AANA in 2021. He has a special interest in ultrasound regional anesthesia, obstetric anesthesia, and rural access to care. He has been practicing for 16 years 11 of which in rural Arizona.

In the professional arena, he has served on the Arizona Assoc. of Nurse Anesthesiology Board of Directors and two terms as President. Also serves on multiple AANA committees and Task Forces as both a member and chair and has served on CMS committees on cost containment and rural care as well.