NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 7, 2024
CONTACT: Dana Kazel, Communications Manager
218-725-5049 (office) • 218-591-2219 (cell)
Home visit program wins national honor for St. Louis County Public Health and Aspirus St. Luke's
A new home visit program in St. Louis County that serves pregnant individuals at risk for hypertensive disorders has been honored as a model practice by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO).
"Heart-to-Heart" is a partnership between St. Louis County Public Health and Aspirus St. Luke's that was developed to address a worrying trend in maternal health. Aspirus St. Luke's staff noted a significant increase in the number of patients experiencing poor birth outcomes due to Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy. More specifically, from 2020-2021 there was an 81% increase in deliveries complicated by hypertension and preeclampsia and a 30% increase in preterm deliveries.
St. Louis County Public Health, which already offered free home visit programs for new and expectant families, was able to enhance its services to help at risk individuals with increased screenings, education early in the pregnancy, and referrals when needed for follow up care. Public Health nurses meet with patients where they are at, removing barriers to care in a non-judgmental and culturally appropriate manner.
While the program is still relatively new, initial data is showing a high success rate of patients remaining healthy throughout their pregnancies.
"This program is changing lives and is keeping mothers and pregnant people safe and at home," said Mallory Cummings, Maternal Child Health Project Manager and Doula Coordinator at Aspirus St. Luke's "It's also there to ensure our patients are alive and thriving."
"One of our foundational Public Health responsibilities involves maternal and child health," said Amy Westbrook, St. Louis County Public Health Division Director. "We are lucky to have partners such as Aspirus St. Luke’s to be really public health minded and forward thinking in interventions. They saw what was happening in their maternal population and saw us as an extension of the healthcare system, and so we are very grateful for them identifying those needs and then engaging with us to address those needs."
Heart-to-Heart is funded by a Promising Practices grant from the Minnesota Department of Health. Additionally, based on the initial success of the program, the County Board approved funding an additional part-time Public Health Nurse position to serve more families.
 The St. Louis County Board recognized the employees and community partners involved in the Heart-to-Heart home visiting program. Shown L-R are Front row: Commissioners Patrick Boyle and Keith Nelson. Middle row: Lisa Konicek and Amy Westbrook, SLC Public Health; Commissioner Ashley Grimm; Mallory Cummings from Aspirus St. Lukes; Auditor Nancy Nilsen; and Emily Lian, SLC Public Health. Back row: Kevin Gray, County Administrator; Linnea Mirsch, Public Health and Human Services Director; Commissioners Mike Jugovich, Paul McDonald, Annie Harala, and Keith Musolf; and Jessica Zschunke, SLC Public Health.
 St. Louis County Public Health staff received a 2024 Model Practice Award for its Heart-to-Heart home visiting program. The award was presented at the National Association of County and City Health Officials conference in July. Shown L-R are: Lori Tremmel Freeman (NACCHO); Emily Lian, Lisa Konicek, Juliana Olson, and Hannah Osborne from St. Louis County Public Health; and Michael Kilkenny (NACCHO).
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