Sascha James-Conterelli

Sascha James-Conterelli is a Clinical Associate Professor and Director of the Nurse-Midwifery Program at New York University's College of Nursing. She holds a DNP from NYU and a BSN from Howard University, and has been a practicing midwife since 2002. Her work bridges clinical practice, education, and national policy advocacy in maternal and perinatal health.

Research Interests: Dr. James-Conterelli's scholarship focuses on eliminating racial disparities in maternal health, with a critical examination of systemic racism as a root cause of poor outcomes among Black women. She investigates the role of midwifery care models in improving birth outcomes and reducing healthcare costs, advocating for policy reforms that integrate midwives into mainstream maternity care. Her work emphasizes respectful, patient-centered care and the importance of cultural competence in clinical settings.

The recent articles highlight a consistent trajectory in public health advocacy, particularly in developing frameworks to identify and address racism within maternal mortality review systems. Her publications appear in leading journals such as American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Nurse Practitioner, reflecting expertise in both clinical practice and policy development.

Scientific Awards:

• Fellow, New York Academy of Medicine (2022)
• Fellow, American Academy of Nursing (2021)
• NYU Diane O. McGivern Legislative and Policy Award (2021)
• Exemplary Affiliate Award (2018)
• Fellow, American College of Nurse Midwives (2018)
• Teaching Excellence Award (2006)
• ACNM Resilience Award (1993)

Advising and Grants: As Director of the Nurse-Midwifery Program, Dr. James-Conterelli mentors future midwives and shapes curriculum to emphasize equity and advocacy. While specific grant funding is not detailed, her leadership on state and federal task forces—including Governor Cuomo’s Maternal Mortality Task Force and the CDC MMRIA Working Group—indicates significant involvement in federally supported policy initiatives. Her work has influenced national standards for maternal death review and anti-racist healthcare practices.

Labs and Teams: Dr. James-Conterelli collaborates with multidisciplinary teams including the CDC Foundation, Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs), and state-level policy boards. She is a key member of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Maternal Mortality and Racial Disparities Task Force and the New York State Maternal Mortality Review Board, contributing expertise in midwifery and equity to high-impact public health efforts.