The challenges of accessing maternity care in rural areas are all too real for many women and families. In Nye County, Nevada—a designated “maternity care desert”—these challenges have led to alarmingly high preterm birth and infant mortality rates. In 2023 alone, Pahrump recorded a preterm birth rate of 13.4%, well above the national average of 10.4%, and an infant mortality rate of 8.22%. These numbers underscore the urgent need for better maternal care in underserved areas.
Dr. Brian Iriye, president of Hera Women’s Health and a renowned maternal-fetal medicine expert, is at the forefront of an innovative solution: the Medical Maternity Home Program, designed to improve access to care in Pahrump. This transformative initiative is a collaborative effort among the High Risk Pregnancy Center (HRPC), Hera Women’s Health, SilverSummit Healthplan, and Nevada Health Centers. Backed by $1.1 million in funding from the Centene Foundation and SilverSummit Healthplan, the program aims to make high-quality maternal and neonatal care accessible for all.
Dr. Iriye explained the program’s mission in a recent KLAS 8 News Now feature:
“Our goal with the Medical Maternity Home Program is to bring together a multidisciplinary team of specialists to ensure every mother and baby in rural Nevada has access to the high-quality care they deserve. By fostering partnerships and utilizing innovative solutions, we aim to overcome the challenges faced by underserved communities and improve maternal and neonatal outcomes across the region.”
Program Highlights: Enhancing Access and Care
This innovative program will bring Las Vegas-level medical services to Pahrump, providing:
- Prenatal care and efforts to monitor preterm birth rates.
- On-site maternal care services twice a month, supplemented by telehealth for broader access.
- Maternal-fetal medicine consultations, advanced ultrasounds, and behavioral health care.
- Professional training to improve obstetrical emergency preparedness among local providers.
The program was announced on National Maternal Health Awareness Day as a response to the critical need for accessible care. In Pahrump, where a trip to a hospital can be over an hour—a devastating barrier during emergencies like preterm labor—this program is poised to be a game-changer.
Watch the Full KLAS 8 News Now Segment
Why It Matters: A Vision for the Future
This initiative isn’t just about healthcare—it’s about equity, accessibility, and the right to safe pregnancies and healthy births. Dr. Iriye and his team aim to expand this model to other underserved areas in Nevada and beyond, such as Elko and Winnemucca, if the program proves successful.
“Whenever you can get care to somebody, it needs to be several things, right? It needs to be the right care, right place, right time,” Dr. Iriye shared.
With this program, families in Pahrump will no longer have to choose between risking the drive to Las Vegas or foregoing care altogether. The Medical Maternity Home Program is more than just a pilot project—it’s a commitment to saving lives.
For more information and to explore this initiative in depth, read the full article on KLAS 8 News Now.
