Megan Cahill, Program Coordinator

My introduction to the birth community came from my first pregnancy in 2013, when I was made aware
of what doulas are and what they do. The doula filled a necessary role as a support person during my
pregnancy and birth.

As a Women’s Studies undergraduate, I began researching the history of how birth moved from being a
natural occurrence that was experienced with the support of friends and family, to a medicalized
condition treated by doctors in hospitals, and now current movements that have made doulas more
accessible and the rising popularity of midwives as birth providers.

During my MPH from St. Cathrine University, I became aware of the startling disparities in maternal
health outcomes between white pregnant people and Black and Indigenous pregnant people here in
North America and in global populations around the world. That awareness has fueled my passion for
health equity in the birthing community and has brought me to my role with MNPQC.

My goal is to continue to grow through sharing knowledge and building community with others who
care about health equity and to see my efforts as having real world consequences in shrinking the
disparities between different racial groups.