UMMC brings community-centered prenatal care to EversCare

From the first appointment to delivery, pregnancy is a time of change, learning and growth. The University of Mississippi Medical Center’s new CenteringPregnancy clinic offers a group-based model designed to support mothers through education, peer support and shared experience. 

Beginning March 10, the UMMC will begin seeing patients in a new clinic at the Myrlie Evers-Williams Institute for the Elimination of Health Disparities (MEWI), expanding access to community-based prenatal care designed to improve outcomes for mothers and babies across Mississippi. 

The clinic, led by associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology Dr. Elizabeth Lutz, introduces a model of group prenatal care that brings expectant mothers together for extended visits focused on education, support and shared experience. 

The CenteringPregnancy clinic will operate within EversCare, a community-focused clinic housed at the Jackson Medical Mall and operated through MEWI. Since opening in 2018, EversCare has focused on addressing social determinants of health by creating access to resources that support patients’ social, economic and environmental needs. 

Through EversCare, patients are connected with community partners that help address challenges such as food insecurity, housing, transportation, education and personal safety — factors that play a critical role in overall health outcomes. 

“EversCare Clinic was created to close gaps in care and remove barriers that too often stand between patients and healthy outcomes,” said Dr. Victoria Gholar, executive director of MEWI. “CenteringPregnancy belongs here because it builds community, strengthens trust and gives our patients both the clinical care and the support they need to thrive during pregnancy and beyond.” 

CenteringPregnancy is an initiative of the Centering Healthcare Institute, a nonprofit organization that promotes group-based health care models shown to improve outcomes for families. The model brings eight to ten women with similar due dates together for their prenatal care, following the recommended schedule of ten prenatal visits. 

Unlike traditional appointments, CenteringPregnancy visits last between 90 minutes and two hours, giving mothers significantly more time with their provider while encouraging active participation in their own care. 

“Participants are empowered to take an active role in their care by learning to monitor their own blood pressure and weight, while also benefiting from education, discussion, and support from both providers and peers,” Gholar said.  

“After their individual checks with the provider, patients come together in small groups to spend time with the care team and learn from one another. This approach turns prenatal care into something that’s not just about attending appointments, but about building confidence, community, and healthier pregnancies.” 

During each visit, mothers begin by taking their own weight and blood pressure and recording their health information, followed by private time with their provider for individual assessments. Once health checks are complete, the group will gather in a facilitated “circle-up” discussion led by providers and support staff. 

These interactive sessions cover topics ranging from nutrition and stress management to labor, delivery, breastfeeding and infant care, while also leaving space for questions and conversations driven by the group. 

“Our goal with centering pregnancy is to create a supportive environment where women learn from the facilitators and each other. The seasons are informative and fun,” said Lutz. 

Beyond clinical care, CenteringPregnancy is designed to reduce isolation and foster meaningful connections among participants. Women from different backgrounds come together through the shared experience of pregnancy, forming relationships that often extend beyond delivery. 

“At Centering, each woman’s experience and insight are valued,” Lutz said. “Our hope is that the community developed in the centering group will enrich the lives of the participants.” 

National studies have shown that CenteringPregnancy is associated with lower rates of preterm birth and low birth weight, increased breastfeeding rates and improved pregnancy spacing.  

"Centering Pregnancy is one of the few interventions shown to reduce the risk of preterm birth, by almost 40% in many studies," said Dr. Thomas Dobbs, director of MEWI and dean of the John D. Bower School of Population Health. 

Research also suggests that the model can significantly reduce racial disparities in birth outcomes. 

"This is an amazing approach to prenatal care. Centering is an innovative model of care that creates a network of support, going well beyond our traditional healthcare model,” said Dobbs. “I wish that my wife and I had access to this when we were starting a family." 

In addition to improving health outcomes, CenteringPregnancy has been shown to reduce unnecessary emergency visits and after-hours calls, as participants gain confidence and understanding of what is normal during pregnancy and when to seek care. 

Patients interested in joining the first CenteringPregnancy cohort may call 601-984-5300 to schedule an appointment. For more information or to find out if you qualify, call 601-815-3535.