Advocacy
Advocacy for Women's Health
Carrying patient voices into the rooms where policy is made — from the state capitol to Washington, D.C.
Advocacy and Policy Engagement
Advocating for Women’s Health at the National Level As part of their work as physician advocates, faculty from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology participated in the 2025 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Congressional Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., representing North Carolina. During the conference, the team met with U.S. Senate and House representatives to advocate for policies that support patient insurance coverage, protect Medicaid and Medicare funding and improve maternal health outcomes. Dr. Eduardo Lara-Torre, Vice Chair of Operations Strategy and Quality, highlighted the importance of this work, noting that it is an honor to serve as a district officer for ACOG and to advocate for policies that protect women’s health. |
Cross-System Advocacy Through Education and Community Partnerships
Their presentation focused on substance use, incarceration and child welfare, bringing together professionals across systems to strengthen shared understanding and coordination of care for families. This type of cross-system engagement supports more effective, aligned approaches to care, ensuring that parents and children receive comprehensive support across clinical, legal and community settings. Judge Bryan, a dedicated Horizons volunteer, continues to support mothers in recovery as they navigate the legal system, while Dr. Jones’ internationally recognized expertise informs national and global approaches to treating opioid use disorder among pregnant and parenting women. Learn more about the event: hub.scimha.org/sbc-all-sites-2026 |
Faculty and community partners from the Horizons Program continue to advance advocacy through cross-sector education and collaboration. At the 2026 South Carolina Infant Mental Health Association All Sites gathering in Laurens, South Carolina, retired Judge Jay Bryan and Dr. Hendrée Jones presented to a multidisciplinary audience that included guardians ad litem, judges, social workers, community volunteers and child protective services professionals.