About Us
The Safe Motherhood Program was founded in 2003 by its Director, Dr. Suellen Miller. It is a research group of the University of California, San Francisco, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences and the Bixby Centre for Global Reproductive Health.
Our goal is to prevent maternal deaths by promoting women's health and human rights.
The Safe Motherhood Program is focused on maternal health and our LifeWrap project is at the forefront of our research into ways to end maternal deaths. In order to reach our goal, we aim to
- Conduct rigorous, relevant and timely research, resulting in new, applicable knowledge
- Ensure maternal survivorship through principles of respect, dignity and equality
- Create direct and practical links from research to policy to implementation
- Train clinicians of all levels in low-resource settings and raise community awareness of maternal health
- Disseminate information and innovations globally
UCSF’s Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences is one of the most prominent research, teaching and patient care centers in the United States. The Department is home to the UCSF National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health (CoE).
The Department boasts a diverse portfolio of research activities, from basic biological, translational, and clinical investigation to epidemiological inquiry and the development of public health policy. The Department’s exemplary academic reputation derives from long-standing integrative and multidisciplinary partnerships within the UCSF community of nursing and medical scholars.
The Safe Motherhood Program is also part of the Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health whose aim is the promotion of maternal and reproductive health, family planning and the prevention of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, worldwide through research, training and policy analysis. With a staff of 175, working with more than 300 global partners, the Bixby Center conducts over 100 domestic and international projects as well as providing many trainings and fellowships. The Bixby Center just celebrated its 10-year anniversary – read the 10-Year Report.
Dr.Suellen Miller
Dr. Suellen Miller, the Safe Motherhood Program Director, is a leading expert in maternal health, with over 30 years experience in low-resource settings. She is co-author of ‘A Book for Midwives’, as well as over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles. She says of the LifeWrap project "it is some of the most fulfilling work I have ever done". Read more about Dr. Miller.