Sarah Verbiest

Dr. Sarah Verbiest is a Professor at the UNC School of Social Work and Executive Director of the Collaborative for Maternal and Infant Health. She holds adjunct roles in the Department of Maternal and Child Health and UNC School of Medicine’s OB/GYN & Pediatrics departments. Her work spans over 25 years in improving maternal and infant health through research, policy, and community engagement. She directs the Jordan Institute for Families and co-leads initiatives like the 4th Trimester Project and the Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center.

Education: DrPH in Public Health Leadership (UNC-Chapel Hill, 2008), MPH (Maternal and Child Health, UNC-Chapel Hill, 1995), and MSW (Community Practice, UNC-Chapel Hill, 1995).

Research focuses on health equity, systems change, and postpartum care. Notable projects include addressing inequities in postpartum depression treatment and NICU family support. She co-edited influential textbooks like the 4th Edition of Maternal and Child Health and Practical Playbook III.

Awards include the 2022 William Lloyd Garrison Ally Award and the 2017-2021 Distinguished Professorship. Teaching emphases include health equity policy and organizational management. She actively contributes to initiatives like the Wildacres Leadership Initiative and Community Church of Chapel Hill Unitarian Universalist committees.