The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) aims to improve the health of women of childbearing age, adolescents, children, infants, and children with special health care needs. Our staff supports the development of family-centered, community-based, coordinated systems of care.
Members Sought for the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee
If you are interested in the statewide effort to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities for pregnant and postpartum women in Texas, you may be interested in joining the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee (MMMRC). The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is currently accepting committee membership applications for the following new or vacant positions:
- Community member with experience in a relevant health care field, including a field involving the analysis of health care data, who must represent a rural area of this state;
- Community member with experience in a relevant health care field, including a field involving the analysis of health care data, who must represent an urban area of this state;
- Physician specializing in emergency care;
- Physician specializing in cardiology;
- Physician specializing in anesthesiology;
- Physician specializing in oncology; and
- Representative of a managed care organization.
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m., November 30, 2023. The DSHS Commissioner will appoint members to the committee to serve a six-year term or to complete the term of a current vacancy. Terms may be shortened or lengthened to comply with statute.
State law requires DSHS to include committee members who represent Texas’ diversity. For this reason, DSHS will consider each applicant’s qualifications, background, demographic characteristics, and interest in serving on the committee.
You may submit the completed application form by email, mail, or fax.
Email:
MaternalHealth@dshs.texas.gov
Mail:
Department of State Health Services
PO Box 149347
Mail Code 1922
Austin, TX 78714-9347
Attn: Lauren Cenac
Fax: 512-776-7658
Attn: Lauren Cenac
DSHS will notify applicants if they have been selected once the solicitation process is complete.
About the MMMRC
Texas Health and Safety, Code Chapter 34 directs the MMMRC to study and review:
- Cases of pregnancy-related deaths;
- Trends, rates, or disparities in pregnancy-related deaths and severe maternal morbidity;
- Health conditions and factors that disproportionately affect the most at-risk populations; and
- Best practices and programs operating in other states that have reduced rates of deaths related to pregnancy.
The MMMRC uses standard methods to review identified pregnancy-associated death cases to determine cause of death and pregnancy-relatedness. For deaths determined to be pregnancy-related, the MMMRC builds consensus to determine potential preventability, contributing factors, and actionable recommendations. State trends in maternal morbidity and mortality rates and disparities are also studied to aid recommendation development.
Through this process, the MMMRC develops recommendations to help reduce the incidence of preventable pregnancy-related deaths and severe maternal morbidity in the state.
A committee member must regularly participate in case review calls and committee meetings. Committee meetings will be held in Austin or virtually at least quarterly or at the call of the DSHS Commissioner. In-person meeting participation is strongly encouraged. Members may also be asked to participate in subcommittee meetings, projects, and presentations. Committee members do not receive reimbursement for travel expenses to participate on the committee. If a member misses three consecutive meetings within a one-year period with or without notice, the member may be removed from the committee.
For more information about the committee or the application process, contact Lauren Cenac at MaternalHealth@dshs.texas.gov.
Publications
DSHS produces several publications, some of which are mandated by the Texas Legislature.
Topics include:
- Parenting and information for parents of newborns
- Safe sleep for babies
- Umbilical cord blood banking
- Activities for children in child care
You can find a description of each publication and a link to order them on the DSHS webpage.