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


Research


Our Efforts


Nichole Nidey Works To Change Stigma To Support
Efforts Nichole Nidey Efforts Nichole Nidey

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.

Read More
Efforts Nichole Nidey Efforts Nichole Nidey

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.

Read More
Efforts Nichole Nidey Efforts Nichole Nidey

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

Read More
About Us Avi Asher About Us Avi Asher

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
About Us Avi Asher About Us Avi Asher

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
About Us Avi Asher About Us Avi Asher

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
About Us Avi Asher About Us Avi Asher

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.

Read More
About Us Avi Asher About Us Avi Asher

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