MOTHeRS project wins national award for advancing maternal mental health care
An East Carolina University initiative that brings maternal health care closer to home, helping obstetric patients avoid long trips to distant specialty centers, has earned national recognition. The MOTHeRS Project (Maternal Outreach Through Telehealth for Rural Sites) has been named a recipient of the 2025 Psychiatric Services Achievement Silver Award by the American Psychiatric Association. Presented at the APA’s annual meeting in Los Angeles, the award honors programs making significant and innovative contributions to the mental health field.
Launched in 2020 with a $1.2 million investment from United Health Foundation, and born out of ECU’s Brody School of Medicine and ECU Health, the MOTHeRS Project was created to address gaps in maternal health care in rural communities. The program stood out to the APA for its integrated, patient-centered model that supports both physical and behavioral health needs of high-risk pregnant women across eastern North Carolina.
“This national recognition reaffirms East Carolina University’s leadership in delivering innovative, community-based health solutions,” said Chancellor Philip Rogers. “The MOTHeRS Project exemplifies how we translate research and partnerships into meaningful care, expanding access for rural families and strengthening maternal health systems across our state, especially in communities where the need is greatest.”
Dr. Sy Saeed, founding director of the North Carolina Statewide Telepsychiatry Program and executive director of the award-winning MOTHeRS Project, has led efforts to expand maternal mental health care access in rural North Carolina through integrated telehealth services. (Photo credit: Steven Mantilla, ECU Photos)
A flagship initiative of the North Carolina Statewide Telepsychiatry Program (NC-STeP), MOTHeRS brings together maternal-fetal medicine specialists, psychiatrists, diabetes educators, nutritionists, social workers and other health professionals to deliver holistic, coordinated care in rural obstetric clinics through telehealth.
“Rural women face a unique set of challenges when it comes to accessing comprehensive, affordable, and high-quality maternal and behavioral health services,” said Dr. Sy Saeed, founding director of NC-STeP and executive director of the MOTHeRS Project. “This recognition by the APA validates the work our team is doing to improve access to health care for all.”
Since its launch, the program has reduced patient travel by over 414,800 miles and facilitated more than 2,600 patient visits, including behavioral health interventions. It has also screened more than 41,000 patients for food insecurity and addressed that need by distributing medically tailored food bags to high-risk pregnant women, supporting maternal nutrition.
The program’s collaborative co-management model allows rural providers to consult in real time with specialists while maintaining direct relationships with their patients. This team-based approach improves continuity of care, enhances patient experiences, and contributes to better maternal-fetal health outcomes, Saeed said.
“By embedding psychiatric and social support into maternal care settings, we are reducing stigma, increasing access and ultimately improving both the experience and outcomes for patients,” Saeed said. “This is the future of care — one that is integrated, accessible to all and community focused.”
“This recognition reflects ECU’s commitment to research that drives real-world impact,” said Dr. Sharon Paynter, chief innovation and engagement officer and interim chief research officer at ECU. “The MOTHeRS Project is a powerful example of how innovation, collaboration and community partnership can come together to address urgent health needs in our state. We’re proud to support research that advances knowledge and improves lives, especially for those in the rural communities we serve.”
Beyond clinical services, the initiative has also invested in local workforce development, trained rural clinicians and incorporated peer support specialists to build trust and sustainability within communities.
For more information, visit the MOTHeRS Project website.