OVERVIEW

The rising incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in high-risk populations presents a critical challenge for health care professionals. Access issues and bias often leave women vulnerable to poor maternal and infant outcomes. The third and final installment in this webinar series will address these challenges and is designed to equip health care professionals with the knowledge and tools to provide accessible and individualized care.

Funding for this project is provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, as part of Blue Cross’ long-term commitment to tackling the leading causes of preventable disease, to increase health equity, transform communities, and create a healthier state.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Recall postpartum care strategies that address long-term health disparities in individuals from high-risk populations, with a focus on reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and improving continuity of care.

   

• Recognize and mitigate the challenges high-risk women face in accessing postpartum care, including cultural, economic, and geographical barriers, and utilize community-based resources to provide ongoing support. 

   

• Identify individualized long-term diabetes prevention programs that engage community organizations and allied health professionals in supporting the health and well-being of women who have experienced GDM. 

DATE & TIME

Sep 16, 2025 from 01:00 PM to 02:15 PM ET

EXPIRATION DATE

September 2026

CREDITS

You will earn 1.5 free continuing education credits (CME, ABIM-MOC, ANCC, APA, ASWB, CDR, COP, and AAPA).

SPEAKER

Teri Henderson, PhD, RN, FAAN

Professor, Associate Dean for Research and Scholarship  

College of Nursing, University of Colorado  

Dr. Teri Hernandez is the Associate Dean for Research and Scholarship in the College of Nursing and a Professor of Nursing and Medicine at the University of Colorado. Over 20 years at CU, she has conducted controlled clinical studies in pregnancy focused on nutrition, glucose and lipid metabolism, infant growth, and early life exposures. She completed her undergraduate training at Northern Illinois University, and her Master’s and PhD at the University of Colorado. She is an educator in the Graduate School, is an elected member of the Perinatal Research Society, and is an elected Fellow of the American  

Academy of Nursing.   

SPEAKER

Cassandra Henderson, MD, MSc, CDCES, FACOG

Maternal Fetal Medicine and Diabetology Consultant  

Rockwood Partners, LLC 

Dr. Cassandra E. Henderson is a Maternal Fetal Medicine and Diabetology consultant in New York City. She is Chair of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Section of the National Medical Association (NMA) and Pregnancy and Reproductive Health Interest Group of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). By gubernatorial appointments, she has served as a Board member of the New York State Office of Professional Medical Conduct. Dr. Henderson is an appointed advisory committee member for the National Institutes of Health and Food and Drug Administration. In addition to ACOG, NMA and ADA she is an active member of the American Medical Association, Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine, the American Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists.  Her academic investigations are focused on diabetes in pregnancy and the development of improved educational tools for individuals living with diabetes. Dr. Henderson received an undergraduate degree from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut a medical degree from Loyola University in Maywood, Illinois and Masters in Diabetes Education and Management from Teachers College of Columbia University, New York, New York.  She completed her postgraduate residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois and a Maternal Fetal Medicine fellowship at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, New York. Dr. Henderson is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Maternal Fetal Medicine and is a certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. 

SPEAKER

Amy Valent, DO, MCR

Associate Professor 

Oregon Health & Science University 

Dr. Amy M. Valent is an Associate Professor in the department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University.  

Dr. Valent is currently funded to understand the role of CGM among persons with gestational diabetes, nutritional influences on perinatal outcomes and offspring health among the Alaska Native population, maternal lipid biology, metformin’s effects on the placenta, and epigenetic differences in placentas from pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes. She is passionate about understanding the role of lifestyle behaviors, experiences and nutritional status prior to conceiving and throughout pregnancy that shape the health and vulnerability to chronic disease of our offspring and future generations. 

MODERATOR

Denise K. Fryzelka, PhD, CNM, APNP, FACNM

Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) 

Grow Midwives, LLC  

UW Hospitals and Clinics (UWHC)  

Denise Fryzelka, CNM, PhD, has over 25 years of experience providing midwifery care, education, and partnerships across many models of care. She has practiced in diverse roles and settings, including birth centers and hospitals in Haiti, Guatemala, Europe, and the United States. Dr. Fryzelka has a passion for the prevention of Diabetes in persons with Gestational Diabetes, bringing a unique blend of practice and evidence-based strategies, coaching, and caring to diverse populations, with equity-minded frameworks and action-based results. 

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Funding for this project is provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, as part of Blue Cross’ long-term commitment to tackling the leading causes of preventable disease, to increase health equity, transform communities, and create a healthier state.