Building Community Research Capacity in Nevada

Our current research project, Culturally Congruent Doula Care; The Missing Lens into Maternal Mental Health has been an exciting first step in this direction for the DOULA CO-OP. We are deeply grateful for the support of the mentors within the NIH throughout this process. Learn more about this unique research challenge here, and see what the other finalists are studying to advance maternal health in their states.

The DOULA CO-OP is driven and passionate about bringing more opportunities for community-driven research to Nevada. Follow along with our journey on social media as well as our community newsletter, and donate specifically to fund future research projects from the DOULA CO-OP.

The DOULA CO-OP has been chosen as one of nine national finalists of the Connecting the Community for Maternal Health Research Challenge sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as part of their IMPROVE Initiative. This new and novel research challenge is offering nonprofit organizations across the country with the opportunity to learn about building a sustainable research infrastructure in their organizations and community.

Our long term goal as a community-based research organization is to continue asking important questions about the health and wellbeing of the systemically underserved communities in our state, and collect local, community-driven data to inform policy & provide resources that reflect the needs of the community. We also seek to understand the unique barriers facing Doulas & families as they navigate important life transitions together.

Meet Our Research Team

  • Joyce Abeng, MPH

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

    Joyce has made lasting impact in Nevada as a Public Health Diversity Advisor at the Trudy Larson, MD Institute for Health Impact and Equity within the University of Nevada, Reno School of Public Health. Joyce’s experience in program evaluation, development, and improvement, with a focus on diversity and health equity, will guide the DOULA CO-OP in building an enduring infrastructure as the Director of Research.

  • Kristen Herlosky, PHD

    RESEARCH SCIENTIST

    Dr. Kristen Herlosky is an active childbirth educator and full-spectrum doula in the greater Las Vegas valley. Her passion for education and support for families in their reproductive years stems from her background as a researcher. She earned her PhD from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in the field of medical anthropology, examining how pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum health outcomes are influenced by healthcare systems, national and global policy initiatives, and local health beliefs and practices. Now, she works full-time in the UNLV Department of Social and Behavioral Health in the School of Public Health conducting maternal health research throughout Las Vegas. Between her academic interests and working directly with families, she aims to improve reproductive health outcomes among mothers and birthing people in the state of Nevada. As research scientist for the DOULA CO-OP, she will oversee study design, data management, and analysis.

  • Tiara Flynn

    OUTREACH COORDINATOR

    Tiara is the owner of Phenomenal Mama, a full service doula practice that offers services from prenatal, birth planning, support during labor, postpartum support, and more. She is also a Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA), a wife, mother of 2, Air Force veteran, full-spectrum doula, serial entrepreneur, and small business owner who has dedicated all her adult life to serving others. In her role as the Recruitment & Outreach Coordinator, Tiara will manage recruitment from study sites and utilize her wealth of knowledge in community networks to establish relationships with partners in Washoe and Clark County to connect study participants to relevant resources.

  • Emily Barney

    PROJECT MANAGEMENT

    Emily Barney serves families as a Trauma-Informed Birth, Postpartum & Death Doula, as well as a Newborn Care Educator in the Reno/Tahoe area. Beginning her education as a Doula in 2019, she quickly discovered an untapped passion for community advocacy and social justice within the maternal health landscape. Her passion propelled her to join in co-founding The DOULA CO-OP in 2022. Emily’s focus has shifted from serving families directly, to building The DOULA CO-OP Community as the Executive Director, and Project Manager for the research team.

  • Samantha DeAndrea

    RESEARCH & RECRUITMENT

    Samantha is a Co-Founder of the DOULA CO-OP and works as the Education Director when she is not working directly in the community. She holds the role of Northern Nevada Recruitment Coordinator for the Research Team. In her personal work she is a full-spectrum doula, supporting people in all the transitional spaces of their lives, and is also a mother of 2. She has been serving families and individuals all over the U.S. for ten years.

  • Sue Foltz

    RESEARCH STUDY OVERSIGHT

    Sue is a Birth Doula, Breastfeeding Educator, the President of the DOULA CO-OP, and has 30 years experience in Laboratory Diagnostics and working within Hospital Systems. As Research Study Oversight, she will be responsible for protecting the rights, safety, and welfare of study participants, ensuring adherence to applicable regulatory requirements, and coordinating IRB and hospital logistics for all study participants.