How Cincinnati Tackled Its Infant Mortality Crisis (A Blueprint for Solving Wicked Problems)
March 24, 2025 RecordingIn this session, Jill Haubner Miller and Dr. Meredith Shockley-Smith will share insights from their upcoming book Infant Mortality and Other Wicked Problems: A Community-Driven Approach to Creating Change. It tells the story of how Cincinnati's healthcare providers, community organizations and residents partnered to create a radically nontraditional, patient-centered, scalable model of care that finally moved the needle on its (tragic and persistent) wicked problem. In 2011, despite its rich culture, top-notch schools, and nationally ranked healthcare systems, Cincinnati had one of the worst infant mortality rates in the country. More specifically, Cincinnati's Avondale neighborhood had an infant mortality rate more than triple the national average. For every 1,000 live births, 18.9 babies were dying in their first year. A new model of care was designed with the Avondale community, and by 2022, Avondale's infant mortality rate was 5.4 per 1,000 live births. Through spread and scale, today more than 220 children are alive due to Cincinnati's efforts to reduce infant mortality.
The presenters will provide a practical "blueprint" for systems change that every community can use to define and address their own wicked problem. Topics discussed may include: using data to identify areas of opportunity and drive continuous improvement; identifying stakeholders and unifying them around a "North Star" goal; challenging assumptions, uncovering inequities and identifying silos; engaging and empowering the community at every stage; designing a systems change model that gets to the root of your wicked problem (rather than merely treating its symptoms); remaining adaptable as your model evolves and expands; and attracting trust-based funders as well as state and federal dollars.
Learning Objectives:
- Overview a flexible blueprint communities can take to get to the root of their complex and unique challenges and design effective systems change.
- Discover the transformative power of trust-based philanthropy, how it differs from traditional grantmaking and why engaging funders as partners can be the key to finally moving the needle on your community's wicked problem.
Speakers:
Jill H. Miller
President & CEO
Bethesda, Inc. / bi3 Fund
Meredith Shockley-Smith, PhD
Executive Director / Field Service Assistant Professor
Cradle Cincinnati / University of Cincinnati Medical College; Queens Village
Continuing Education Credit
ACHE Qualifying Education Credit
This recording is eligible for 1 ACHE Qualifying Education credit.
ACHE Education credits will be automatically updated in your My ACHE account upon completion of the recording.
Interprofessional Continuing Education Credit
In support of improving patient care, the American College of Healthcare Executives is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive a maximum of 1 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change. For further information about Joint Accreditation credits and certificates, please click here.
Physician Continuing Medical Education
The American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Continuing Nursing Education
The American College of Healthcare Executives designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 contact hours of continuing nursing education.
Continuing Pharmacy Education
The American College of Healthcare Executives designates this knowledge-based activity for a maximum 1 contact hours of continuing pharmacy education credit.
Continuing Social Work Education
The American College of Healthcare Executives designates this knowledge-based activity for a maximum 1 contact hours of continuing social work education credit.
Physician Associate/Physician Assistant Continuing Education
The American College of Healthcare Executives has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for a maximum of 1 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
