New Philadelphia Hospital Poised to Transform Maternal Health Outcomes

Temple Health is leading Philadelphia toward better women’s and maternal health outcomes by investing in the region’s only dedicated hospital. With high-quality, specialized programming, this hospital is developing a new model of care driven by the understanding that most adverse pregnancy outcomes for mothers and babies are preventable.

The soon-to-open hospital, Temple Women & Families, is the culmination of a multiyear, $30 million project that reflects Temple Health’s commitment to growing its maternal health services, closing gaps in healthcare access and caring for under-resourced communities.

“These disparities stem from lack of healthcare access and numerous socioeconomic challenges,” said Tanise Branche, MD, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist focusing on high-risk obstetrics at Temple Health. “Unfortunately, all of that is compounded by the recent closure of maternity services in the region, creating a critical gap in care that heightened the demand for comprehensive, accessible resources.”

New Programs Offer Research-Informed Support

In addition to expanding services to three new zip codes, Temple Women & Families is adopting innovative care models that prioritize health equity. With Dr. Branche’s unique perspective, the hospital will implement the Temple MAMA Model — a program designed to address the drivers of poor maternal health outcomes, including limited access to care and challenging social determinants of health.

As part of this initiative, the hospital will hire local perinatal community healthcare workers, who will receive supplemental training in providing trauma-informed support. With 21 percent of screened patients having at least one social determinant of health barrier linked to poor health outcomes, the MAMA Model offers a crucial safety net.

“We hope that by adding additional physical as well as emotional support, we can reduce risk factors associated with preterm birth and maternal deaths, which unfortunately continue to disproportionately affect the Black and Hispanic women in Philadelphia,” Dr. Branche said.

Proactive, Personalized Care Backed by Integrated AI Technology

Temple Women & Families will also integrate the most advanced AI-backed technology to analyze electronic medical records, identify risk factors for prenatal and childbirth-related complications, and proactively alert team members when patients are at risk of preeclampsia, hemorrhage and sepsis.

“This advanced technology ensures that every patient can receive personalized, proactive care,” Dr. Branche said. “It allows us to anticipate any potential concerns and address them quickly, enhancing the patient’s outcome.”

Team members at Temple Women & Families will also receive training in Temple Health’s trauma-informed care model equipping them to effectively recognize and respond to sexual trauma, mental health challenges and substance use disorders.

Transforming Maternal Health Outcomes in Philadelphia and Beyond

According to Dr. Branche, the Temple Women & Families team is on a mission to transform maternal health outcomes in Philadelphia and establish a new model for hospitals across the U.S.

“Implementing these programs marks a shift from the traditional maternal healthcare models,” Dr. Branche said. “Integrating community-driven, high-touch care with cutting-edge technology, along with trauma-informed practices and community healthcare workers, enables the hospital to meet immediate healthcare needs and address the broader social determinants of health.”

To learn more about Temple Health’s pursuit to improve maternal and fetal health outcomes, visit www.templehealth.org/improvingoutcomes.