CHILDBIRTH IS INHERENTLY risky, but
for minority women, it can be life-threat-
ening. Consider the birth experience
of global tennis star Serena Williams.
Williams had a history of pulmonary
embolism and, while recovering in the
hospital after giving birth via c-section,
she had difficulty getting her providers
to acknowledge her symptoms. After
repeatedly advocating for herself, doctors
eventually found several small blood clots
in her lungs and administered lifesaving
treatment. Sadly, hundreds of women each
year are not as fortunate.
To advance health equity for all and
address implicit bias a nd str uctura l
racism in health care, Excellus BlueCross
BlueShield appointed Gina Cuyler, MD,
as Vice President of Health Equity and
Community Investments in November
2021. A graduate of the University of
R oches t er S chool of Med ici ne a nd
Dentistr y, Dr. Cuyler is a boa rd-cer-
t i f ied i nt er n a l med ici ne phy sici a n
who is pa ssionate about i mprov i n g
health outcomes for everyone. Using a
cross-functional, data-driven approach,
Dr. Cuyler is working to embed health
equity across every aspect of Excellus
BlueCross BlueShield's organization and
addressing maternal health disparities is
one of her top priorities.
Materna l hea lth is the continuum
of ca re that includes the time before
preg na ncy, preg na ncy itself a nd one
year postpartum. The health conditions
Excellus BlueCross
BlueShield Advances
Maternal Health Equity
BY BECCA TAURISANO
Dr. Cuyler with representatives from The Witness Project
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