University of Hawaiʻi at 惭ā苍辞补 researcher Claire Kendal-Wright from the (JABSOM) is leading an effort to transform maternal-fetal care in American Samoa, a region where physicians face severe resource limitations at the LBJ Tropical Medical Center.
“There was one OB and a resident covering labor and delivery,” Kendal-Wright recalled. “I started asking questions about preterm birth and outcomes, and you realize very quickly how dedicated the health providers are despite how limited the resources are.”
Backed by a U.S. Department of Interior grant to the medical center, Kendal-Wright is working with local clinicians to strengthen care through sonography training, telehealth and improved access to specialists.
The effort targets high-risk pregnancies. According to a study in , American Samoa faces challenging maternal health conditions, including high rates of obesity, hypertension and diabetes, alongside limited diagnostic technology.
Overcoming resource and diagnostic barriers
“When this grant ends, we aim to put in place a care pipeline that has not been available to these mothers,” Kendal-Wright said. “This will enable more mothers to gain the vital information required to make important care decisions about the health of their babies. For the mothers of American Samoa, this is not possible right now.”
It’s incredibly rewarding work.
—Claire Kendal-Wright
During recent visits with collaborators Curtis Lowery (medical researcher), Larenda Casey (lead sonographer) and La-Tisha Frazier (MD/JABSOM fellow), Kendal-Wright saw clinicians improvise by sharing ultrasound images via cell phone photos for outside opinions.
“You’re dealing with a population where many women have significant risk factors during pregnancy,” she said. “Having the ability to identify complications earlier and make informed decisions is incredibly important.”
The project, started by Men-Jean Lee, JABSOM‘s former associate chair of research and innovation, reflects the school’s mission of bolstering Pacific health equity.
Kendall-Wright added, “It’s incredibly rewarding work. These collaborations help ensure that mothers and babies have access to the best care possible, no matter where they live.”