The death of Dr. Janell Green Smith following complications from childbirth has intensified concerns about persistent racial disparities in maternal healthcare. The certified nurse-midwife and doctor of nursing practice, who dedicated her career to improving maternity care and patient safety, died in early 2026 after giving birth to her first child at a Charleston community birth center.
The American College of Nurse-Midwives called her death “heartbreaking and unacceptable,” noting that a Black midwife and maternal health expert dying after childbirth underscores how Black women face disproportionate pregnancy risks regardless of education, income, or professional expertise. The organization attributed these disparities to systemic racism and care system failures.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data reveal that pregnancy-related complications and maternal deaths occur at higher rates among certain racial and ethnic groups, even when income and education levels are similar. Researchers have identified differences in prenatal care access, hospital service quality, and symptom evaluation as contributing factors.
Healthcare professionals described Dr. Green Smith as deeply committed to patient education and helping families recognize warning signs during pregnancy and postpartum periods. Her passing has prompted renewed focus on postpartum monitoring and maternal outcomes. The nursing community has established a GoFundMe campaign for her husband and newborn daughter, while midwifery groups have announced initiatives including scholarships and community sessions aimed at improving maternity care.
See: “Nurses Mourn Midwife and Leader Dr. Janell Green Smith, Who Died After Childbirth” (January 4, 2026)
