Louisiana Commission on Perinatal Care and Prevention of Infant Mortality

The Louisiana Commission on Perinatal Care and Prevention of Infant Mortality was established in 1989 through R.S. 40:2018. It serves the maternal, perinatal, and infant populations by shaping public policy, providing oversight, and ensuring the effective implementation of laws and regulations.

The commission advises the Louisiana Department of Health on policies and guidelines impacting perinatal care and infant health, and oversees the Bureau of Family Health Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative and the Louisiana Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review, which work to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes in Louisiana. Learn more by visiting the Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative website and the Louisiana Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review webpage.

Responsibilities of the Louisiana Commission on Perinatal Care and Prevention of Infant Mortality

  • Research and review all state regulations, guidelines, policies, and procedures that impact perinatal care and, when appropriate, make recommendations to the Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.

  • Research and review all state laws that impact perinatal care and, when appropriate, make recommendations to the legislature.

  • Accept grants and other forms of funding to conduct maternal and infant mortality studies.

  • Contract, in accordance with the applicable provisions of state law, for the performance of maternal and infant mortality studies.

Goals of the Louisiana Commission on Perinatal Care and Prevention of Infant Mortality

  • Provide, through comparison of available data and research, a plan that the state of Louisiana can adopt to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies, sick infants, and infant mortalities.

  • Propose a plan for an equitable system of financing comprehensive health and social services for indigent pregnant women and infants that incorporates the Medicaid program in the most efficient and cost-effective manner available to public and private hospitals in the state of Louisiana.

  • Compile and analyze information on existing infant mortality education programs and make recommendations for the implementation of public policies, for proposed legislation, and for a statewide program to combat the problem of infant mortality to coordinate and improve the services of the state, local governments, private and voluntary agencies, community organizations, and schools, which serve to educate high risk candidates and their families.

  • Reduce the infant mortality rate to not more than nine deaths per 1,000 live births.

  • Reduce the number of babies born with low birth weight to not more than five percent of all live births.

  • Reduce the infant mortality rate for each parish and for each racial or ethnic group of the population to not more than 12 deaths per 1,000 live births.

  • Educate women of childbearing age to be able to choose food wisely and understand the hazards of smoking, alcohol, pharmaceutical products, and other drugs during pregnancy and nursing.

Membership

The Louisiana Commission on Perinatal Care and Prevention of Infant Mortality consists of 16 members, fourteen of whom shall be appointed by the governor and two of whom shall be appointed by the legislature. The members shall be comprised of the following:

  • Two neonatologists – one shall be actively engaged in medical education, and one shall be actively engaged in private practice.

  • One obstetrician

  • One family practitioner

  • One pediatrician

  • One female health nurse practitioner

  • One representative from a family planning clinic in the state

  • One neonatal nurse specialist

  • Two health care administrators representing the public and private sectors, respectively

  • One social worker

  • One nutritionist

  • Two perinatologists

Member Name Member Seat
Perry Scott Barrilleaux, M.D. Perinatologist
Senator Regina Ashford Barrow Louisiana Senate President designee
Joseph Biggio, M.D. Perinatologist
Karli Boggs, M.D. Family Planning Representative
Representative Stephanie Berault Louisiana Speaker of the House designee
Courtney Campbell, M.D. Pediatrician
Aundria Cannon Female Health Nurse Practitioner
Leslie Lewis Nutritionist
Erika Moss Neonatal Nurse
Steven Spedale, M.D. Neonatologist
Marshall St. Amant, M.D. Obstetrician
Emily Stevens Social Worker
Rodney Wise, M.D. Private Health Care Administrator
Amy Zapata Public Health Care Administrator
Vacant Neonatologist
Vacant Family Practitioner

Meeting Information: Schedule, Agendas, and Minutes

The Louisiana Commission on Perinatal Care and Prevention of Infant Mortality is required to hold at least six regular meetings each year, as stated in Louisiana R.S. 40:2018.

To request an accommodation for a public meeting or event hosted by the Louisiana Commission on Perinatal Care and Prevention of Infant Mortality under the Bureau of Family Health, contact [email protected]. Accommodations include, but are not limited to, requests for interpreters, accessible seating, large print, virtual attendance, and more.

Meeting Schedule:

For more information, contact the Bureau of Family Health by Louisiana Commission on Perinatal Care and Prevention of Infant Mortality Facilitator:

[email protected]
Bureau of Family Health, Special Perinatal Projects Manager

Surgeon General Evelyn Griffin, MD

Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein

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