Our Commitment

The EMPOWER Project is committed to listening to patient stories and ensuring that the voices of those with lived experiences drive meaningful change in healthcare.

Key areas of focus include examining access to care, where the impacts of trauma and stigma must be recognized as crucial barriers on the patient’s journey.

Our Approach

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Mission

The EMPOWER Project’s mission is to meaningfully enhance outcomes and expand options for pregnant and postpartum individuals with substance use through patient-centered, collaborative, and co-designed research.

Together, we are driving meaningful change and fostering a future where care is equitable, compassionate, and informed by those it impacts the most.

Tailored Peer-Support Training

Developed by individuals with lived experience of substance use during pregnancy, our peer-support training programs are uniquely tailored to provide compassionate, informed guidance to those navigating similar paths.

Mind Mapping Sessions

Through dynamic mind-mapping sessions, EMPOWER Project Partners come together to identify and prioritize critical topics for future research. This collective approach ensures that the research agenda reflects the most pressing needs of the community.

Examining Access to Care

Access to care is essential, but the journey is often fraught with challenges. Trauma and stigma must be recognized and addressed as pivotal elements influencing a patient’s ability to seek and receive care.

Research

Featured

The EMPOWER Project’s mission is to meaningfully enhance outcomes and expand options for pregnant and postpartum individuals with substance use through patient-centered, collaborative, and co-designed research.

Together, we are driving meaningful change and fostering a future where care is equitable, compassionate, and informed by those it impacts the most.

Journey Map

Journey Map

Amplified Voices Map

Amplified Voices Map

Patient Journey Map

Patient Journey Map

Engagement Map

Engagement Map

Freedom to Flourish Café Map

Freedom to Flourish Café Map

Our Partners

Our partners actively engage in monthly virtual meetings, collaborate as co-leads on research projects, and contribute their lived experiences to shape and guide future initiatives. Their insights play a key role in driving impactful, community-centered work.

Community Partners

Individuals who represent the community or community organizations.

Patient Partners

Individuals with lived experience of substance use around the timing of pregnancy.

Research Partners

Researchers who study substance use around the timing of pregnancy.

Clinical Partners

Healthcare professionals who provide maternity and/or pediatric care, and substance use treatment.

Our Efforts

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Nichole Nidey Works To Change Stigma To Support

Nichole Nidey, assistant professor of epidemiology in the College of Public Health, focuses her research on pregnant people and mothers with substance use disorders. She directs the EMPOWER Project, which is committed to listening to patient stories and ensuring that the voices of those with lived experiences drive meaningful change in health care.

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From Stigma to Support: Win the battle against maternal substance use in Iowa | Opinion

Iowa can lead the way by investing in comprehensive, statewide education campaigns that focus on the realities of substance use disorder, highlighting that it is a health issue, not a moral failing.

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Interactive Map to Find Treatment Options in Iowa

Nichole Nidey’s research team developed a new online tool that maps substance treatment centers available for pregnant women in Iowa.

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Addressing Stigma For Families Affected By Opioid Use Disorder

Pregnant and parenting people with opioid use disorder commonly experience stigma, or the enactment of negative attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes, during their pregnancy and at delivery. We will describe four different domains of stigma: self, interpersonal, structural, and policy, and discuss how they intersect to amplify the experiences of shame, anxiety, isolation, lack of trust for birthing people and parents that can contribute to the avoidance of prenatal care and substance use treatment which can impact pregnancy and infant health outcomes.

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AIM for Safer Birth | Substance Use Disorders and Patient Engagement

In this episode, Christie explores the intersection of substance use and maternal health with innovators Dr. Nichole Nidey and Michelle Kavouras, focusing on the power of lived expertise to shape equitable, evidence-based care.

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Empowering Mothers to Overcome Addiction

University of Iowa efforts to support pregnant women with substance use disorders are helping to deliver vital health care, provide treatment resources, and keep families together.

“I want to make sure that we’re asking the right questions and not making assumptions that are not appropriate to make. Researchers and health care providers are not immune from stigma and bias.” - Dr. Nichole Nidey

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Together for Better Care | Perinatal Substance Use Webinar Series

The Together for Better Care webinar series, a collaborative effort between OPQC and the EMPOWER Project, aims to raise awareness and highlight strategies to address perinatal care issues and provide support for mothers navigating opioid use disorder (OUD) challenges.

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Addressing Disparities in SUD Care and Outcomes

Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative | Addressing Disparities in SUD Care and Outcomes

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Supporting Perinatal Patients with Substance Use Disorder During the First Year Postpartum

Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative | Supporting Perinatal Patients with Substance Use Disorder During the First Year Postpartum

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Narcan for the Perinatal Patient with Opioid Use Disorder

Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative | Impact of Stigma on Perinatal Patients with Substance Use Disorder

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Breastfeeding for Patients with Substance Use Disorder

Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative | Impact of Stigma on Perinatal Patients with Substance Use Disorder

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Impact of Stigma on Perinatal Patients with Substance Use Disorder: Recommendations for Moving Forward

Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative | Impact of Stigma on Perinatal Patients with Substance Use Disorder

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Mission

The EMPOWER Project’s mission is to meaningfully enhance outcomes and expand options for pregnant and postpartum individuals with substance use through patient-centered, collaborative, and co-designed research.

Together, we are driving meaningful change and fostering a future where care is equitable, compassionate, and informed by those it impacts the most.

Read More →
Tailored Peer-Support Training

Developed by individuals with lived experience of substance use during pregnancy, our peer-support training programs are uniquely tailored to provide compassionate, informed guidance to those navigating similar paths.

Read More →
Mind Mapping Sessions

Through dynamic mind-mapping sessions, EMPOWER Project Partners come together to identify and prioritize critical topics for future research. This collective approach ensures that the research agenda reflects the most pressing needs of the community.

Read More →
Patient Partner Involvement

Patients are not just participants; they are integral to every phase of our research. Their voices shape the process and outcomes from design and data collection to analysis and dissemination.

Throughout all phases of the research, Patient Partners play an active role, building their capacity to lead and shape future research initiatives, ensuring that the research is always aligned with the needs and experiences of those it aims to serve.

We are actively building the capacity of patient partners to lead research initiatives, empowering them to become key contributors and leaders in the field.

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Examining Access to Care

Access to care is essential, but the journey is often fraught with challenges. Trauma and stigma must be recognized and addressed as pivotal elements influencing a patient’s ability to seek and receive care.

Read More →