Who We Are

The Center for Care Continuity After Pregnancy: Tailoring Transition Interventions for Under-resourced Mothers (CONTINUUM)

We are a multi-institutional maternal health research center comprised of The Ohio State University, Howard University, and Albizu University. Our team consists of researchers, multi-disiciplinary clinicians, community collaborators, and scholars-in-training. We work together to co-design, implement and evaluate integrated postpartum programs that span community and clinical settings. We work closely with community and patient partners to ensure that the postpartum solutions we develop can be individualized to meet the unique needs of each CONTINUUM community.

Our Sites

Our Leadership

Seuli Bose Brill, MD, CONTINUUM Principal Investigator - The Ohio State University

Dr. Seuli Brill is the Director of Primary Care Research for the OSU Division of General Internal Medicine and Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the Ohio State University (OSU) College of Medicine. Dr. Brill is a primary care physician, dual board-certified in internal medicine and pediatrics. Her clinical and research focus areas center on maternal child health (MCH), including the implementation of primary care interventions to reduce severe maternal morbidity in urban and rural settings. Dr. Brill partners with healthcare organizations across the State of Ohio on MCH initiatives, including Ohio’s federally qualified health centers and rural regional health systems, on the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based primary care MCH interventions. Dr. Brill is the Executive Director of MOMI PODS, a clinical dyad program available through the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center that works to offer postpartum women and their children primary care in one comprehensive patient visit. Dr. Brill also serves as OSU's clinical lead for the PCORnet-funded PaTH clinical research network activities and serves as Chair for the PaTH Maternal Child Health Workgroup. In these roles, she facilitates clinician-investigator engagement in inter-institutional patient-centered research studies and collaborative learning health systems activities. Dr. Brill has received funding for her research from organizations such as the March of Dimes, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the National Institutes of Health.

Rochanda Mitchell, DO, RD, CONTINUUM Site Medical Principal Investigator - Howard University

Dr. Rochanda Mitchell is a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Physician known for her commitment to advancing women's health, particularly in high-risk pregnancies. Currently serving as the Howard Site-PI for the CONTINUUM study, Dr. Mitchell is at the forefront of innovative research aimed at improving maternal and neonatal outcomes through comprehensive care models. Dr. Mitchell earned her medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she developed a passion for obstetrics and gynecology, driven by her desire to support pregnant individuals facing complex health challenges. Following her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Howard University, she pursued a fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, further enhancing her expertise in managing complications during pregnancy. Dr. Mitchell collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to explore effective strategies for enhancing continuity of care in maternal health. Her contributions to the study reflect her dedication to evidence-based practices and her commitment to ensuring individuals living in maternity care deserts have access to maternal and postpartum care. In addition to her research work, Dr. Mitchell is actively involved in mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals, emphasizing the importance of compassion and resilience in practice. Her contributions to the field have earned her recognition among peers and patients alike, establishing her as a leading voice in maternal-fetal medicine. Outside of her clinical and research responsibilities, Dr. Mitchell advocates for women's health issues, participating in various outreach programs aimed at educating communities about maternal health and prenatal care. Dr. Rochanda Mitchell continues to inspire those around her with her passion for medicine, dedication to research, and unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of mothers and their children.

Amy Yeboah Quarkume, PhD, CONTINUUM Site Scientific Principal Investigator - Howard University

Dr. Amy Yeboah Quarkume is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth, Environment and Equity at Howard University. With a Ph.D. in African American Studies, her work focuses on advancing environmental justice, algorithmic accountability, and culturally conscious data science. As Director of Graduate Studies for the MS in Applied Data Science and Analytics, she leads Howard University’s first data science program rooted in social justice—preparing students to use data as a transformative tool for equity and community empowerment.

She also leads several community-centered environmental initiatives that address urban heat, air quality, and youth-led environmental justice, including Project BREATH (focused on air quality monitoring), Project COOL (centered on urban heat island mitigation), K–12 STEM-EJ engagement programs, and maternal health-focused environmental justice work. She is currently expanding her Black maternal health project using tech-enabled research in both the U.S. and Ghana to explore the intersection of environment, race, and reproductive justice.

Dr. Quarkume is the founder and Principal Investigator of the CORE Futures Lab, a collaborative space that connects students with science, design, and community to co-create innovative solutions for tomorrow’s challenges. She is a member of the American Meteorological Society, Black Women in AI, the National Council for Black Studies, and the American Geophysical Union.

Amílcar Matos-Moreno, PhD, CONTINUUM Site Principal Investigator - Albizu University, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Dr. Amílcar Matos-Moreno is a social epidemiologist, demographer, and Assistant Research Professor at Penn State University, as well as an Associate Professor of Biostatistics at Albizu University, whose research examines aging, kinlessness, migration, and health in Puerto Rico and across Latin America. He is the Principal Investigator of an NIA-funded K01 award on transnational family networks and health among “left-behind” older adults, and his broader program of research integrates population science, social epidemiology, and advanced statistical modeling to understand how demographic change, family structure, and social isolation shape health trajectories in later life. Dr. Matos-Moreno collaborates extensively with national and international partners—including the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research—and his scholarship includes peer-reviewed publications on kinship demography, social networks, population aging, and migration, with work appearing in journals such as The Gerontologist, Population Research & Policy Review, and Journal of Gerontology Social Science Series B. His research and commentary have been featured in major media outlets, including The New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, and leading Puerto Rican national news platforms, where he contributes expert perspectives on aging, migration, and population change.

Mariela Rodriguez Miranda, PhD, CONTINUUM Site Co-Investigator - Albizu University, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Tamare Piersaint, PsyD, CONTINUUM Site Co-Investigator - Albizu University, Miami, FL

Dr. Tamare P. Piersaint is an associate professor of clinical psychology (Psy.D.) The APA-approved program, currently serving as the External Practicum and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Coordinator at Albizu University's Miami Campus, overseeing student research, teaching, and contributing to several university committees. Dr. Tamare P. Piersaint is an Albizu Site Co-Investigator for CONTINUUM. She brings extensive mutli-disciplinary experience in delivery of women’s health and behavioral health. With 13 years of teaching experience in higher education and a background in Counseling Psychology and Rehabilitation, Dr. Piersaint's areas of expertise include trauma-informed care, child, adolescent, and family mental health, and evidence-based treatments, particularly DBT, AF-CBT, and TF-CBT. Her work has extended beyond academia, supporting communities with limited health care access. She is widely recognized for her contributions to advancing behavioral health care access and education.

Our Research Partners

Alicia Bunger, PhD Co-I

Professor, The Ohio State University, Division of General Internal Medicine and implementation scientist

Norah Crossnohere, PhD Co-I

Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University, Division of General Internal Medicine, engagement scientist and PaTH Moms co-lead

JaNeen Cross, MSW, LCSW

Associate Professor of Social Work and MCH researcher, Howard University

Pamela Carter-Nolan, PhD, MPH

Director of Graduate Studies, Howard University

Soledad Fernandez, PhD

Professor, The Ohio State University PaTH Site and Director of the OSU Center for Biostatistics

Carla Williams, PhD

Associate Professor of Medicine & Public Health, Howard University

Rachel D’Amico Gordon, MD, MPH

Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University, Division of General Internal Medicine

Hyoshin Kim, PhD Co-I

Clinical Associate Professor, The Ohio State University, Department of Biomedical Informatics

Oluwasegun Akinyemi, MD, MSc

University of Maryland School of Public Health

Betelihem Tobo, PhD, MPH

Assistant Clinical Professor, Howard University Centers of Excellence

Shalewa Noel, PhD Co-I

Howard University

Berta Ríos, PhD

Chief Academic Officer, Albizu University

Our Staff

Laura Binkley, PhD

CONTINUUM Center Coordinator, The Ohio State University

Manny Schwimmer, MPH

CONTINUUM Center Co-Coordinator, The Ohio State University

Deja Robinson, MPHc

Research Manager and MCH researcher, Howard University

Neena Thomas, MS

CONTINUUM Informatics Program Manager, The Ohio State University

Madison Hyer, MS

CONTINUUM Biostatistician, The Ohio State University

Our Scholars in Training

Joelle Adon

Joelle Adon is a public health professional with a background in maternal health, health disparities, and postpartum care. She holds a Master’s degree in Biomedical Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Health Education and Promotion. Her work spans clinical research, patient navigation, and community-based initiatives addressing social determinants of health. Joelle is currently engaged in CONTINUUM's community health needs assessment study, a perinatal peer support scoping review, and research at Howard University Hospital focused on preventing preterm birth among high-risk mothers. She is dedicated to advancing maternal health and improving outcomes for women and families.

Kyla Baron

Kyla Baron, MPH is a second-year medical student at Howard University College of Medicine. She is currently involved with the CONTINUUM as an ASPHN Fellow.

Brianna Belgrave

Brianna Belgrave, MPH, is a fourth-year medical student at Howard University College of Medicine. She is currently involved with the CONTINUUM Perinatal Scoping Review project. As a physician-scientist in training, she hopes to deepen her understanding of the different aspects of participating in a scoping review.

Meaghan Costello

Dr. Meaghan Costello, MD, is a primary care physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, an Assistant Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine, and a public health researcher. She was selected as a Fellowship to Faculty scholar in the Division of General Internal Medicine and is currently working to complete a master’s degree. Her research focuses on strategies to reduce health care disparities driven by social determinants of health, particularly those affecting urban communities in central Ohio. As part of the CONTINUUM project, Dr. Costello is co-leading work on best-worst survey analysis to identify and prioritize the most important factors related to the selected intervention’s topical focus, delivery methods, and evaluation metrics.

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Amalek V. Girald

Amalek V. Girald is a DClinPsy/PsyD Student at Albizu University, San Juan Campus, and is a CONTINUUM Research fellow. Amalek is involved with the CONTINUUM Scoping Review in partnership with Ohio State University (OSU) and the Patient Mapping Journey project for Maternal Mothers Living in Puerto Rico (2025) at Albizu University. Through his training with CONTINUUM, he aims to deepen his understanding of research methodologies and their application in addressing psychological and health-related challenges.

Christina Loisel

Christina Loisel, M.S. is a third-year doctoral student of the Psy.D. program in Clinical Psychology at Carlos Albizu University in Miami, Florida. Currently, Christina is working on the CONTINUUM project as a graduate research fellow. She hopes to expand her knowledge in the area of maternal health research from a biopsychosocial model perspective. She also hopes to be able to continue developing research skills and gain competencies when working with these individuals.

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Alondra Padilla López

Alondra Padilla López is a fourth-year clinical psychology (PsyD.) student from Albizu University, San Juan Campus in Puerto Rico, and an MHERC student fellow for Fall 2024. She is currently involved with the Patient Journey Mapping project with CONTINUUM. Through this research opportunity, she aims to learn how to identify barriers in the patient’s health journey in order to reduce them. Alondra is hoping to broaden her knowledge in how to enhance their overall health experience and is eager to apply her clinical knowledge to this project while further developing her research skills.

Rosa Negash

Rosa Negash, MPH, is a first-year medical student at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. Prior to medical school, she worked as a research associate in the Division of General Internal Medicine at The Ohio State University, where she contributed to several of CONTINUUM’s projects. She is excited to return as a scholar-in-training, bringing her passion for patient engagement and maternal and child health. Rosa is particularly interested in shared decision-making in primary care and in how its impact on patient outcomes can be meaningfully measured. As a future physician-scientist, she looks forward to expanding her research skills and learning from researchers, participants, and stakeholders alike.

Adriana Nicolle Zayas Pérez

Adriana Nicolle Zayas Pérez is a Clinical PsyD student at Albizu University. She is currently involved in the Patient Journey Mapping project with CONTINUUM. Through this initiative, she aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of patient experiences and the methodologies associated with Patient Journey Mapping. Adriana’s objective is to acquire skills in patient-centered care, enabling her to apply this knowledge to the field of psychology and ultimately enhance her ability to serve patients and address their needs effectively.

Jade Porche

Jade Porche, MS, is a second-year medical student at Howard University College of Medicine with a strong commitment to genetics, maternal–child health, and evidence-based medicine. She earned her undergraduate degree from Arizona State University in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in Genetics. In 2024 she completed graduate training at Johns Hopkins University with an MS in Individualized Genomics and Health. Jade has actively engaged in research at the Mayo Clinic and Phoenix Children’s Hospital, focusing on congenital heart disease, maternal–child outcomes, and health disparities. She also serves in multiple leadership roles at Howard, including as Co-Chair of Pediatric Interest Group Week, Senator in the Howard University Student Association and Secretary in Internal Medicine Interest Group. Beyond medicine, Jade brings expertise in community programming and entrepreneurship, coordinating youth initiatives and health outreach events. Her long-term goal is to become a physician–scientist in internal medicine and pediatrics, providing lifelong care to children with congenital illness while advancing equitable health interventions.

Brianna Smith

Brianna Smith, MSW is a PhD Student in the College of Social Work at The Ohio State University. Brianna is currently involved with CONTINUUM's community health needs assessment research study, and the perinatal peer support scoping review. From this training experience, Brianna is hoping to further develop skills in conducting patient-centered research in developing culturally responsive approaches/solutions to address and improve maternal health outcomes among Black women and birthing persons.

Dorothy Oteng

Dorothy Oteng is a data scientist with a Master’s in Applied Data Science & Analytics from Howard University. She applies data-driven insights across health, education, and technology to improve outcomes and advance equity. Her work combines analytics and AI research to help organizations make informed decisions that create real-world impact.

Ruva Rumano

Ruva Rumano, MPH is a current PhD student at The Ohio State University College of Public Health, where she previously received an MPH degree. Ruva has mostly been involved with the PATH Moms project. She is hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the implementation process, including how strategies are developed, adapted, and executed in real-world settings.

Cassie Winters

Cassie Winters, MOT is a PhD student and part of the Ohio State University team. She is a clinical research assistant involved in CONTINUUM’s Journey Mapping, survey development, and data collection projects. She hopes to acquire an understanding and insight into how clinical practices and community-based organizations collaborate to enhance maternal health care research and to identify the community's needs and priorities.

MiLani Terrell

MiLani Terrell is an undergraduate student at Macalester College pursuing dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Biology and Neuroscience, with an expected graduation in December 2026. She is passionate about advancing healthcare and promoting health equity through scientific research, leadership, and community engagement. Her experiences span neuroscience, environmental health, and clinical observation, including work with ThinkNeuro LLC, Howard University’s CORE Futures Lab, and the Houston Brain Center. As a student-athlete, sorority leader, and national mentee in neuroscience and pre-med programs, MiLani is dedicated to combining science, service, and compassion in her journey toward becoming a neurosurgeon-scientist.

Samira (Sami) Sainsurin

Samira (Sami) Sainsurin, MS, is a first-year clinical psychology (PsyD) student from Albizu University, San Juan Campus, Puerto Rico. She is currently involved with the scoping review project at Albizu and is passionate about the communities at the focus of CONTINUUM. She is thrilled to be part of CONTINUUM as an ASPHN fellow.

Morayo Adeyemi

Morayo Adeyemi is a researcher and software engineer passionate about building human-centered AI systems that enhance engagement and accessibility. She has conducted research at the MIT Media Lab, Stanford University, Howard University and Brown University, focusing on multimodal and computer vision–based AI for learning and health applications. A former Google software engineering intern and multi–hackathon winner, Morayo is driven by a mission to create AI-powered tools that address challenges affecting communities that stand to benefit most from emerging advances in AI and to make personalized, meaningful technology available to everyone. She is currently pursuing her M.S. in Applied Data Science and Analytics at Howard University, where she also completed her B.S. in Computer Science in Spring 2025. As a student leader, she has worked to create opportunities for her peers and students across the nation through initiatives that expand access to innovation and industry mentorship.

Natalie Rowe

Natalie Rowe is a third-year doctoral student in clinical psychology at Carlos Albizu University - Miami Campus, specializing in maternal health and forensic psychology. She holds a Master's degree in General Psychology and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a Forensic Specialization. Natalie’s research focuses on the overlooked maternal health needs of incarcerated women, a critically underexplored area. Through CONTINUUM, she aims to strengthen her research skills and shed light on the critical intersection of forensics and maternal health. Natalie is deeply committed to using research as a tool for advocacy and change, ensuring that women navigating both motherhood and the justice system are seen, heard, and supported. Her ultimate goal is to spark meaningful dialogue and action that improves outcomes for these vulnerable communities.