Maximizing Impact: Elevating Patient Family Partner Contributions Within the Montana Perinatal Quality Collaborative

About Session

Session Description:

Since 2021, the Montana Perinatal Quality Collaborative Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (MPQC-AIM) has partnered with hospitals and stakeholders dedicated to improving maternal safety and healthcare quality. This year marks a strategic shift in how we engage Patient Family Partners (PFPs), moving from basic participation toward deeper, more impactful integration.

In October 2025, MPQC-AIM launched a two-year initiative focused on perinatal mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD). Through professional networks, we connected with two incredible Montana women with lived experience in these areas. Our goal was to bridge the gap between clinical practice and lived experience, enabling PFPs to contribute to all aspects of the MPQC-AIM program rather than solely sharing their stories during Learning Sessions. To support this evolution, we linked them with MoMMA’s Voices for PFP certification, developed a formal orientation and onboarding process, and ensured compensation that reflects their professional value. Today, PFPs are essential and highly regarded members of the MPQC-AIM clinical team, actively shaping program design and implementation.

This presentation will provide an overview of the programmatic changes and lessons learned. Attendees will hear directly from PFPs about their experiences joining the MPQC-AIM team, their contributions to the MPQC MH/SUD initiative, and their perspectives on strengthening lived experience engagement. We aim for this session to be interactive, sharing insights and learning from others working to elevate patient voices in maternal health programs.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Identify key components of the MPQC-AIM PFP program, and describe the changes made to strengthen lived experience engagement.
2. Outline practical steps and starting points for engaging patients with lived experience in maternal health programs.
3. Explain how integrating lived experience into program design can strengthen maternal health efforts and improve outcomes for patients and families.