MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Regional One Health will soon be providing help for pregnant women who have to travel far for doctor visits.
Dr. Kerri Brackney with Regional One said for for the first time, they will be launching a program where they will bring services to expecting mothers.
She said the program is called Stork 901.
According to Dr. Brackney, Stork 901 is a grant program that will begin in Spring 2026 and is funded by the Tennessee Department of Health. She said they will receive $1 million each year for the program, which is scheduled to be a three-year grant program.
Dr. Brackney said their mission is to service more of the rural communities in West Tennessee for prenatal care, ultrasounds and high-risk pregnancy consultative services.
"Either their OBGYN doctor, or their midwife, or their family doctor who does prenatal visits, any of those folks will initiate their prenatal care and then send to us for consultative services," Brackney said.
Dr. Brackney said they will send a mobile unit to the parking lot of the soon to be mother's doctor office or closest department of health where they live.
She said their mobile unit team will arrive on specific days out of the month in over 20 counties.
Dr. Brackney believes this program can lower the state's mortality rate, preterm birth rates and birth defects.
"This is really, not only an individually focused program where we wanna focus on the individual moms and their babies, but also the greater public health for women and families in Tennessee," she said.
Adria Worthy, who is 34 weeks pregnant, said although she will not be able to participate in this program, she believes it will be helpful for soon-to-be mothers who have to drive a long way to check on their babies' status.
"It's a pretty good benefit to be able to get care within 20 minutes of your radius, I would say, instead of having to drive all the way on the other side of town or to Memphis per say to get the care that you need," Worthy said.
Dr. Brackney said if Stork 901 grows and thrives hopefully, they can continue with the program. She said they will have a second mobile unit by spring 2026.
