Fitzgibbon OB Manager Attends Quality Conference on Maternal Health

July 29, 2026

Brea Weber, R.N., BSN, manager of the Women’s Center obstetric unit at Fitzgibbon Hospital, recently attended The Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative (MO PQC), a statewide initiative focused on improving maternal and infant health outcomes. Fitzgibbon is among those Missouri hospitals continually striving to improve care for mothers and babies. The 2026 Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative Collaboration Forum was held July 15-16 in Lake Ozark, Mo.

In 2025 Fitzgibbon Hospital delivered 252 babies in its Women’s Center, and Fitzgibbon is one of the few rural hospitals that delivers babies in the rural Missouri area north of Interstate 70 and between St. Joseph and Hannibal. Attendance at this conference, which focused on quality of care improvements, is just one example of continuing education completed by Fitzgibbon hospital staff.

The Missouri PQC forum, formalized in 2023, is focused on connecting hospital leaders and staff across the state. During the conference, Weber participated in peer discussions and heard from providers as well as Missouri Hospital Association representatives and the president on how important hospitals across the state that provide OB services are in ensuring fetal well-being and in reducing maternal morbidly rates.

“Some take-aways from the conference were learning how to identify ‘champion’ staff, how to collect pertinent data, how to initiate change conversations, picking small actions to complete, repeat and being sure to celebrate every small win,” said Weber. “I am grateful for the opportunity to attend such an impactful and educational conference to learn how to improve the patient experience and outcomes. Networking with other hospitals is a great way for our rural community to be heard, but also to learn how to navigate new challenges and opportunities in healthcare.”

Educational topics and materials developed by the MO PQC include management and treatment of such conditions as obstetric hemorrhage, maternal sepsis, hypertension in pregnancy, maternal mental health conditions and cardiac conditions in obstetric care. The collaborative produces resources and offers ongoing educational opportunities for nurses, staff and providers.