Hera Women's Health Outperforms Benchmarks with MFM-Led Care Model

Hera Women's Health, a provider of women's healthcare services, has published new research highlighting a care model that significantly outperforms local, state, and national benchmarks in maternal-fetal medicine. The study, which appeared in the American Journal of Perinatology, describes a care approach led by maternal-fetal medicine subspecialists acting as system-level clinical architects across the organization's obstetric network.

The research, authored by Dr. Brian K. Iriye and Dr. Manijeh K. Kamyar, details outcomes from over 3,500 annual deliveries across Hera's six hospitals and seven offices during 2024-2025. Under this model, MFM subspecialists design and govern evidence-based protocols, diffusing standardized care pathways across OB/GYNs, advanced practice providers, certified nurse-midwives, obstetric hospitalists, and embedded behavioral health and addiction medicine providers. This approach is distinct from traditional consultant roles, as MFM subspecialists play a central role in clinical governance.

The study demonstrates superior outcomes in several key areas: - The preterm birth rate was 10.0%, compared to 11.4% in Clark County. - The nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex cesarean rate was 24.6%, compared to 28.5% in Clark County. - Self-monitored blood glucose adherence among patients with diabetes in pregnancy reached 96%, significantly higher than the U.S. average of 68%. - Low-dose aspirin use among eligible patients for preeclampsia prevention reached 95%, compared to fewer than 50% at baseline.

These improvements were associated with an estimated $4.03 million in annual savings from preterm birth prevention and low-risk cesarean reduction alone. According to Dr. Iriye, "This model reflects our belief that MFM subspecialists can prevent many patients from reaching high-risk status. These results showcase the potential of evidence-based protocols designed at the subspecialist level and diffused across the entire network."

Hera Women's Health's President and Chief Medical Officer emphasized the significance of the findings. "This model stands as a testament to the investment we've made in clinical governance and subspecialist leadership. It validates the work of our providers and teams every day and underscores the importance of leading with outcomes."

The publication positions the Hera model alongside existing frameworks such as Centering Pregnancy, the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative, the CMS Strong Start initiative, and midwife-led care models. It is noted as the first community-based system to report outcomes with MFM subspecialists serving as the organizing clinical authority across the full scope of obstetric care delivery.

While the analysis is described as a single-system, descriptive study without a concurrent control group, the authors call for future prospective studies with multi-site replication to validate the findings. The article is a significant step in transforming maternity care teams, aligning with the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's 2025 special statement.

Hera Women's Health, a provider-centered women's healthcare organization, continues to focus on improving outcomes for women and babies through collaboration, evidence-based care, and investment in the providers and teams who deliver that care.