Postpartum Support Center at WellSpan Health

WellSpan Health in South Central Pennsylvania developed a postpartum depression program in 2006 for their two hospitals and numerous medical practices. The program help identify at-risk mothers and then provides phone support, education, and referrals as needed. The program offers screening several times during the perinatal period using a tool developed by WellSpan. They receive many referrals from outside their community as well. As part of this program a risk assessment tool was developed and published in the journal "Nursing 2008". In addition, WellSpan offers a new mother support group as well as a lending library.  The Advisory Board Company recognized the program by presenting the first annual "Frontline Leadership for Nurses" award to Wendy McDowell in 2007 for her work in developing the program.