Rancho Cucamonga, CA, November 6, 2020— Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital and Inland Empire Health Plan are teaming up to help expectant mothers understand the issues surrounding pregnancy during COVID-19. The hospital and health plan will present a free webinar on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 5 p.m. via the LLU Children’s Hospital and IEHP Facebook pages.  

The webinar will discuss risks, symptoms, and possible complications of COVID-19 during pregnancy. Speakers will include LLU Children’s Hospital physicians Dr. Courtney Martin and Dr. Ruofan Yao, as well as IEHP’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Hansberger, and IEHP’s Senior Family and Community Medical Director, Dr. Priya Batra.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with IEHP regarding COVID-19 and pregnancy,” said Dr. Martin, medical director for maternity services at LLU Children’s Hospital. “Across the state and here in the Inland Empire, we have seen the disproportionate impact to Latina women and those with state funded insurance. We have also seen a higher rate of respiratory failure in this same population. We hope to share with our partners in the Inland Empire what we have learned through the large volume of cases at Loma Linda University Health, California Maternal Quality Care Collaboration bi-weekly meetings, and up-to-date research.” 

“COVID 19 is a never before seen complication for obstetric management,” said Dr. Yao, OBGYN and maternal fetal medicine specialist at LLU Children’s Hospital. “At Loma Linda University, we monitor every case of COVID-19 infection to determine the best treatment course in order to optimize the health of mom and baby.” 

During the webinar, viewers will have the opportunity to ask questions and actively engage with Doctors, who will be responding to questions and comments live.  

“This is uncharted territory for all of us,” said Dr. Karen Hansberger. “However, that does not change IEHP’s commitment to our members, providers and partners. Working together and sharing this information allows us to support our members who are expecting and gives us a great opportunity to further support the general communities we’re honored to serve.”  

To view the webinar on Nov. 10, visit LLUCH and IEHP on Facebook.