Faculty Spotlight: Sarah Clifford Leads Development of Resource Map for Pregnant Persons in Maryland

Published
Reproductive and Sexual Health
Sarah Clifford

Sarah Clifford, MSPH ’22, is a research associate in the Department of International Health whose work focuses on translating evidence into meaningful programs and policies that improve maternal health outcomes. She is a co-investigator for the Maryland Maternal Health Innovation Program (MDMOM), a Health Resources & Services Administration-funded program which aims to improve maternal health across the state of Maryland. 

Clifford serves as the lead for the new maternal health resource map developed by MDMOM, which aims to provide patients and providers with statewide health and social services resources for pregnant and postpartum people. The map, which is the first of its kind in Maryland, serves as a resource where information is available on a variety of resources in one place. Examples of resources that the map displays include hospitals in the area that are birthing-friendly, housing and legal assistance, and early intervention programs available for infants and toddlers with developmental delays. In total, 2,500 resources are listed with a description for each.

“Sarah’s work on the MDMOM resource map was and continues to be crucial to its success. Before this map was created, there was no centralized list where mothers and families can find the resources, health and otherwise, they might need," says Andreea Creanga, MD, PhD ’09, professor in the Department of International Health and director of MDMOM. "Sarah took feedback from our partners; organized a team of faculty, students, and consultants to identify and validate information on over 2,500 resources; and developed a resource that addresses an important gap identified through statewide reviews of adverse maternal outcomes—that of providing location and key information about a wide range of resources in the state in one place."

Creanga adds that this resource will benefit clinical and community providers working with pregnant and postpartum women, as well as women themselves, their children, and families.

In addition to the resource map, Clifford also works on MDMOM’s Telehealth Initiative for Severe Hypertension in Pregnancy project to improve remote monitoring and follow up for pregnant and postpartum patients diagnosed with hypertensive disorders. The initiative works currently with 25 birthing hospitals to distribute blood pressure cuffs to pregnant and postpartum patients with severe hypertension in pregnancy. Blood pressure cuffs, which can be prohibitively expensive, allow those who experience hypertension to monitor their blood pressure. 

Prior to joining MDMOM, she worked as a graduate and postgraduate research assistant with the departments of International Health and Health Policy and Management, and also participated in field placements with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Clifford received her Master of Science in Public Health degree in 2022 from the Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health at the Bloomberg School. Prior to enrolling at the Bloomberg School, Clifford worked as a staff assistant at the U.S. Senate.