Return to "Virtual Pop-Up: Bridging the Gap: Global and Culturally-Informed Strategies to Elevate Postpartum Care"

Rehabilitation Strategies to Address Postpartum Health Disparities

This session explores the crucial role of acute care rehabilitation in addressing maternal health disparities in postpartum patients. Many individuals with high-risk pregnancies or who have recently given birth are not provided access to acute care physical therapy during their hospital stays, despite the first six weeks postpartum posing a high risk for health crises, including maternal mortality. Leading causes of death shortly after birth—hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, and infection—are often preventable, yet the U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations, with Black women experiencing nearly three times the rate of maternal death compared to White women. Implicit biases and systemic barriers contribute to substandard care, particularly for those perceived as young, healthy, and independent.

This session will explore the underlying factors of these disparities and provide evidence-based strategies to improve access to care. Attendees will learn about the Acute Care OB Rehab Implicit Bias Self-Reflection Tool to help clinicians recognize and address biases and the implementation of standardized screening tools for the postpartum population to detect complications early and improve outcomes. This session is designed for pelvic floor physical therapists dedicated to reducing maternal morbidity and promoting equitable healthcare.

Learning Objectives
  1. Analyze the key factors contributing to maternal health disparities in the postpartum period.
  2. Evaluate the role of acute care rehabilitation in enhancing maternal health outcomes.
  3. Apply the Acute Care OB Rehab Implicit Bias Self-Reflection Tool to recognize and address personal biases in clinical practice.

About the Speakers
Dr. Becky Parr, PT, DPT, DHSc, CAPP-OB, Cert. DN.

Rebecca Parr DPT

Dr. Becky Parr is a board-certified orthopedic physical therapist with advanced training in obstetric health and over a decade of experience in pelvic and maternal health. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Dayton and her Doctor of Health Science from the University of Indianapolis.

Dr. Parr is a core faculty member at Hanover College’s hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy program, where she teaches across the curriculum and leads initiatives to advance diversity and inclusion in physical therapy education. She serves on the Ohio Physical Therapy Association’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and is a Director at Large for the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy.

In addition to her academic and leadership roles, Dr. Parr owns Resilience Physical Therapy in Dayton, Ohio, specializing in the care of pregnant and postpartum patients. Her research and publications focus on trauma-informed care, health inequities, and pelvic health rehabilitation. This presentation draws from one of her recent publications in Physical Therapy Journal (PTJ). She is deeply committed to raising awareness of maternal health disparities and advancing equitable, evidence-based care for the peripartum population.

Erin Samel, PT, DPT

Erin Samel is a pelvic and orthopedic physical therapist with 10 years of experience practicing primarily in the outpatient setting at Androscoggin Valley Hospital (AVH) in Berlin, New Hampshire. Her professional interest in pelvic health and comprehensive peripartum care grew from her own postpartum experiences, motivating her to serve both acute and outpatient populations.

She earned her Pelvic Health Specialist Certification through Evidence in Motion and is a Certified Lactation Counselor. Erin also serves as the Site Coordinator of Clinical Education at AVH, where she mentors and supports physical therapy students. In addition, she has worked extensively as a clinical instructor and as an adjunct faculty member in the Plymouth State University Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Erin has proudly developed and implemented a multidisciplinary acute OB rehabilitation program at AVH and contributed to the Journal of Physical Therapy article that serves as the foundation for this presentation. She is passionate about advancing evidence-based postpartum care and supporting patients through all stages of recovery. Outside of her professional roles, Erin is the mother of four boys and enjoys hiking and reading.

Vivian Smith-Aldrick, PT

Vivian Smith-Aldrick, PT, M.A., is a physical therapist with over 35 years of clinical expertise in complex medical, neurological rehabilitation, acute care, and women's health. She holds a PT degree from Howard University and an M.A. in Applied Physiology from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Vivian’s early career was spent at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, specializing in neurological impairments and medically complex conditions requiring ventilator support and weaning assistance. This experience provided a seamless transition to the ICU and the acute care setting. For nearly a decade, she has focused on women's health at Women and Infants Hospital, providing rehabilitation services to oncology, antepartum, and postpartum patients.

With a commitment to evidence-based practice, she has completed advanced training through APTA CAPP Obstetric coursework and Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute. A passionate advocate for maternal health, Vivian recently co-authored an article addressing the disparate treatment of postpartum patients in acute care settings and highlighting the need for comprehensive care for those who are early postpartum.