Tackling Tennessee’s Maternal Care Deserts, Vanderbilt Health has appointed Matthew Grace, MD, MMHC, and Celeste Hemingway, MD, MHPE, as vice chairs of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Education, respectively. The state’s 30% maternal care desert rate underscores the urgency of their roles, as reported in a Q&A with the leaders.
Grace emphasized his vision for “the highest-quality obstetric care regardless of where patients enter our system,” stressing smooth coordination across clinics, hospitals, and specialties. Hemingway focused on supporting educational initiatives, stating, “My role is less about my vision and more about how I can support the vision of our leaders in each space.”
Leadership Roles and Educational Priorities
Hemingway, who previously served as residency program director for nine years, highlighted her commitment to advancing medical education. “We are moving toward individualized residency experiences,” she said, citing competency-based promotion and procedural milestones as key goals. Her team’s surgical curriculum, developed over years, has drawn national attention, as presented at the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology conference.
Grace, meanwhile, outlined plans to expand multidisciplinary care for complex cases. “The future of obstetrics isn’t just about treating complications—it’s about bringing the right experts together before, during, and after pregnancy,” he said. His focus includes collaboration with specialists like maternal-fetal medicine experts and neonatologists.
Evolution of Maternal Care and Training
Hemingway noted the department’s shift toward “customizing training programs,” with residents already having opportunities to tailor their experiences. She expressed hope for greater flexibility in training timelines, aligning with competency-based standards. Grace echoed this, describing an “exciting era in obstetric care” driven by medical advancements that allow more patients with complex conditions to pursue pregnancy safely.
Hemingway’s background includes a masters in health professions education and roles such as co-director of the Women’s Bleeding Disorder Clinic, as detailed in her profile. Her work with the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology further underscores her influence in shaping educational standards.
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