A Brighter Tomorrow.

Healthier Moms and Babies is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to bettering our community’s future by promoting the health and safety of today’s—and tomorrow’s—moms, babies and families.

Our Mission

To reduce infant mortality and improve the outcome of pregnancies in our community.

How We Do It
A woman in a purple shirt is helping a young child standing on a paved path with a 5K race or running event setup, including blue mats and orange cones, in a park.

The Future of Firsts

For every 1,000 babies born in Allen County, 6 infants die before their first birthdays. Many factors contributing to our community’s high infant mortality rate are preventable. Healthier Moms and Babies conducted the Infant Mortality Study to understand how our community can better support our most vulnerable residents. The Infant Mortality Report explores the mental, physical, social and financial determinants that stop families from leading healthy, happy lives.

You can view the full report and learn how you can join our mission

Infant Mortality Report
Timeline Info
Healthier Beginnings
Healthier Beginnings

From 1995-1997, the Healthier Beginnings Fetal Infant Mortality Study was conducted in Allen County, and found that babies in this community were dying due to preventable contributing factors, including:

  • Barriers to prenatal care

  • Unrecognized signs of preterm labor and warning signs in pregnancy

  • Lack of familiarity with SIDS prevention measures

  • Not knowing about eligibility for Medicaid and resources for sliding fee prenatal care

The Birth of Healthier Moms and Babies
The Birth of Healthier Moms and Babies

In 1996, St. Joseph Medical Center received a grant from the Indiana State Department of Health for a demonstration project to address these causes of infant mortality. And, this was the beginning of Healthier Moms and Babies.

A New Structure
A New Structure

In August 1997, Healthier Moms and Babies was transferred to the Fort Wayne Medical Society Foundation.

National Recognition
National Recognition

At their Annual Prematurity Summit, the March of Dimes recognized Healthier Moms and Babies’ outstanding efforts to save babies.

Growing
Growing

Healthier Moms and Babies outgrew its original space and moved into an office at St. Joseph Hospital. This year, we also added two full time benefited staff.

Expanding the Community We Serve
Expanding the Community We Serve

The St. Joe Community Health Foundation started providing HIPAA-compliant Skyping software to provide Burmese interpretation on home visits.

Nurse-Family Partnership
Nurse-Family Partnership

Thanks to a grant from the Indiana State Department of Health, Healthier Moms and Babies was awarded funding to implement Nurse-Family Partnership in Allen County and expand its staff by nine.

Continued Growth
Continued Growth

In 2021, with an assessment approval of both fiscal and leadership viability, Healthier Moms and Babies evolved from the Fort Wayne Medical Society Foundation to become its own 501c3. The organization continues as an independent nonprofit organization today.

Our History

Timeline Info
Healthier Beginnings
Healthier Beginnings

From 1995-1997, the Healthier Beginnings Fetal Infant Mortality Study was conducted in Allen County, and found that babies in this community were dying due to preventable contributing factors, including:

  • Barriers to prenatal care

  • Unrecognized signs of preterm labor and warning signs in pregnancy

  • Lack of familiarity with SIDS prevention measures

  • Not knowing about eligibility for Medicaid and resources for sliding fee prenatal care

The Birth of Healthier Moms and Babies
The Birth of Healthier Moms and Babies

In 1996, St. Joseph Medical Center received a grant from the Indiana State Department of Health for a demonstration project to address these causes of infant mortality. And, this was the beginning of Healthier Moms and Babies.

A New Structure
A New Structure

In August 1997, Healthier Moms and Babies was transferred to the Fort Wayne Medical Society Foundation.

National Recognition
National Recognition

At their Annual Prematurity Summit, the March of Dimes recognized Healthier Moms and Babies’ outstanding efforts to save babies.

Growing
Growing

Healthier Moms and Babies outgrew its original space and moved into an office at St. Joseph Hospital. This year, we also added two full time benefited staff.

Expanding the Community We Serve
Expanding the Community We Serve

The St. Joe Community Health Foundation started providing HIPAA-compliant Skyping software to provide Burmese interpretation on home visits.

Nurse-Family Partnership
Nurse-Family Partnership

Thanks to a grant from the Indiana State Department of Health, Healthier Moms and Babies was awarded funding to implement Nurse-Family Partnership in Allen County and expand its staff by nine.

Continued Growth
Continued Growth

In 2021, with an assessment approval of both fiscal and leadership viability, Healthier Moms and Babies evolved from the Fort Wayne Medical Society Foundation to become its own 501c3. The organization continues as an independent nonprofit organization today.

Our History

Staff

  • A woman with shoulder-length dark hair smiling, wearing a purple long-sleeve top, gold hoop earrings, and a gold necklace, against a plain white background.

    Paige Wilkins

    Chief Executive Officer

  • A smiling woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a black turtleneck and a patterned blazer, standing against a plain white wall.

    Ashley King

    Chief Finance Officer/Chief Operating Officer

  • A woman with blonde hair wearing glasses, a black cardigan, and a black and white patterned top, smiling in front of a plain white background.

    Jen Fraizer

    Chief Programs Officer

  • A woman with dark brown hair wearing a green blazer and a striped black and white top, smiling at the camera against a plain white background.

    Amanda Davis

    Chief Development Officer

  • A woman with long wavy blonde hair, wearing glasses with a tortoiseshell pattern, a grey checkered blazer over a black top, and a gold necklace, smiling and standing against a plain white wall.

    Becky Mungovan

    Office Manager

  • Professional headshot of a woman with shoulder-length wavy brown hair, wearing a dark blue blazer over a black top, standing against a plain white background.

    Tiffany Bailey

    Healthy Start Program Director

  • A smiling woman with long, curly black hair, wearing a black top with white sleeves that have black polka dots, standing against a plain white wall.

    A'Tiyanna Lattimore

    Healthy Start Home Visiting Supervisor

  • A woman with long red hair, glasses, and a pink knitted sweater standing against a plain white wall.

    Mary Luderman

    Nurse-Family Partnership Supervisor

  • A woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiling, wearing a black top and a leopard print blazer, standing against a plain white background.

    Carrie Johnson

    Nurse-Family Partnership Supervisor

  • A woman with blonde hair smiling, wearing a black blazer and a smartwatch, standing against a plain white wall.

    Tara Held

    Every Birth Network Manager

  • A woman with short brown hair, wearing gold earrings and a white long-sleeve shirt with black script and stamp patterns, posing against a plain white background.

    Glenis Sundberg

    Maternal Mental Health Director

  • A woman with glasses, smiling, wearing a beige cardigan over a black and beige patterned dress, standing against a white wall.

    Stephanie Burton

    Therapist

  • A woman with long blonde hair, wearing glasses and a striped sweater, looking directly at the camera against a plain white background.

    Dr. Donna Holland

    Data and Evaluation Manager

  • A young woman with long dark hair smiling, wearing earrings, a white cardigan, and a red floral top, standing against a plain white wall.

    Angelica Ortega

    Women’s Wellness Initiative Supervisor

  • A woman with black hair, wearing glasses and a black blazer, standing with crossed arms against a plain white wall.

    Tiffany Jackson

    Outreach and Diaper Distribution Coordinator

  • A young man with short light brown hair and fair skin is standing with his arms crossed against a plain white wall. He is wearing a brown collared shirt with a small logo on the left chest and has a slight smile on his face.

    Cole Walker

    Diaper Distribution Warehouse Coordinator

Board of Directors

Meredith Palmison, Board Chair
Community Volunteer

Dr. Tamika Rozema, Vice Chair
Riley Children’s Health

Allison Taladay, Secretary
First Brands Group

Judy Roy, Treasurer
Indiana Tech

Ariana McGee
Navigate Maternity

Magistrate Sherry Hartzler
Allen County Superior Court

Tawanna Scruggs-Cottrell
Uniquely You Counseling and Wellness

Sarah Noack
Parkview Health

Caitlin Krouse
University of Saint Francis

Daniel Ryan
Katz, Sapper & Miller

Anne Hall
Community Transportation Network

Financial Information