Elizabeth Patton

Elizabeth Patton

Deputy Director, Reproductive Health U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Day One - Thursday, December 3, 2026

4:10 PM Panel: Why Maternal Mortality Persists in High-Income Countries

  • Examine how reducing clinician burden and redesigning pregnancy care, through equitable communication models and proven approaches like group visits, can improve patient understanding, strengthen continuity, and ultimately reduce preventable maternal mortality
  • Looking at early risk detection as a solution to lowering maternal mortality rates, specifically exploring why many women do not seek care early and why reaching them sooner is so critical.
  • How outdated maternal diagnostic tools continue to drive uncertainty, unnecessary C‑sections, and preventable risk, as clinicians are still relying on decades‑old monitoring systems to make high‑stakes decisions during labor.

Check out the incredible speaker line-up to see who will be joining Elizabeth.

Download The Latest Agenda