The Department of Health convenes a diverse and multidisciplinary Maternal Mortality Review Panel to conduct thorough reviews of maternal deaths in the state to:
- Determine which deaths are related to pregnancy
- Which deaths are preventable
- Identify factors surrounding the deaths, and
- Recommend health care and systems changes to improve perinatal care and maternal health in our state.
To apply
Complete the online application. The application period closes July 31, 2025
Apply Now
Expectations of Members of the Maternal Mortality Review Panel
State law RCW 70.54.450 mandates and enables the MMRP review process, protects the MMRP’s work, requires strict confidentiality, and requires that MMRP members do not receive compensation from the Department of Health for MMRP participation. MMRP members are appointed by the Secretary of Health at the beginning of their first three-year term.
The MMRP’s primary work is to participate in MMRP review meetings, respectfully discussing an anonymized and de-identified summary of a death that took place in pregnancy, birth, or up to one year after pregnancy. The goal is to determine whether each death was pregnancy-related and preventable; identify factors that contributed to each such death; and make systems-level recommendations to prevent future deaths.
These meetings are conducted virtually, typically every 6 – 8 weeks. Panel members are required to attend at least 3 review meetings per year (preferably more, as available); attend or view up to 6 short online presentations per year; participate in onboarding and health equity trainings; and respond to agency communications in a timely manner.
In addition to attending these meetings, trainings, and presentations, panel members volunteer in a variety of capacities, including one or more of the following:
- Providing consultation as subject-matter experts in their expertise area(s).
- Serving as a lead panel member to assist DOH staff with preparing for review meetings and providing key expertise at those meetings.
- Collaborating with DOH to prepare for legislative reports, including helping with the process to prioritize among systems and policy recommendations for the reports.
- Helping disseminate findings from legislative reports.
If appointed to the MMRP, panel members who do not respond to communications or do not participate in a minimum amount of Panel activities, including onboarding and training, may be assumed to no longer want to participate.
Any Panel member may end their appointment at any time for any reason.
Selection criteria
- Shows ability and willingness to follow expectations and dedication to perinatal care and improving inequities in perinatal care.
- Shows understanding of the social and/or clinical issues that impact maternal health outcomes and disparities in maternal mortality—and values both clinical and non-clinical expertise in a shared decision-making environment.
- Shows commitment to addressing social determinants of health and advancing health equity—including racial equity.
- Describes experiences, knowledge, and expertise that will add to the Panel.
- Contributes to the Panel's racial/ethnic, cultural, geographic, and professional diversity.
- Confirmation of current license that is issued by the Washington State Department of Health or passes review of references.
The Department anticipates more applicants than the total open spots. Selection will include fulfillment of requirements for percentages of professional types on the Panel:
- 2+ Tribal representatives
- 2-4 maternal fetal medicine providers
- 8-10 perinatal, and/or obstetric medical, nursing and service providers
- 2-4 labor and delivery nursing management
- 2-4 substance use/addiction recovery medical and service providers
- 2-4 psychiatric medical and service providers
- 4+ Representatives from community-based organizations that serve people who are pregnant or were recently pregnant
- 2 Perinatal social workers
- 3+ State Agency Representatives, including the Health Care Authority, and Child Protective Services and Early Learning at the Department of Children, Youth and Families
- 2-3 community members or representatives with lived experience or from populations most affected by poor maternal outcomes. (People who experienced pregnancy and/or childbirth and who are African American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and/or who have Medicaid or are from a low income background, and/or who have struggled with mental or behavioral health issues.)
- 1+ neonatology or pediatric provider
- 2-3 pathologists and/or coroners/medical examiners
- 2-5 non-perinatal specialists, including emergency medicine, nursing and services, anesthesiology, cardiology
- 5+ representatives from perinatal, obstetric, medical, and psychiatric professional organization representatives
- Other specialties as needed.
Up to two current Panel members, Department staff, and maternal and child health leadership will review applications received. We expect to make decisions in August or September 2025. New Panel members will receive a letter from the Secretary of Health once accepted; this process sometimes takes longer than expected.
If you have any questions, please contact the Maternal Mortality Review Coordinator at maternalmortalityreview@doh.wa.gov