On January 1, 2026, Dr. Janell Green Smith of South Carolina died from childbirth complications at 31 years of age. Dr. Green Smith was a nurse-midwife, doctor of nursing practice, adjunct professor, maternal health professional and advocate.
Dr. Green Smith developed severe pre-eclampsia during her pregnancy and delivered her daughter via cesarean section in late December. Dr. Green Smith had to return for emergency surgery due to a ruptured incision site days after giving birth. She did not return home to her family. Dr. Green Smith will not be raising her precious daughter Eden with her beloved husband Daiquan.
Dr. Green Smith dedicated her career to making childbirth safer but unfortunately the U.S. still has the highest maternal death rate among developed countries and is the most deadly for Black women like Dr. Green Smith. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a report in 2023 that found maternal mortality decreased nationally from 2022 (22.3 deaths per 100,000 live births) to 2023 (18.6 deaths per 100,000 live births), but when broken down by race, Black women were the only group that had their maternal mortality rate slightly increase (49.5 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022 and 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023).
South Carolina has the 8th highest maternal mortality rate in the United States. The state’s maternal morbidity and mortality review committee found that 90% of maternal deaths are considered preventable. Midwifery is one of the ways that can help to mitigate maternal morbidity and mortality. Midwives are trained for low-risk pregnancies.
Dr. Green Smith worked hard to make a difference in midwifery and she was just getting started. Assisting with over 300 births throughout her career, she will forever hold a special place in the hearts of her patients and the lives she helped bring into the world.
I uplift a portion of the American College of Nurse-Midwives statement:
“That a Black midwife and maternal health expert died after giving birth in the United States is both heartbreaking and unacceptable. Her death underscores the persistent and well-documented reality that Black women — regardless of education, income, or professional expertise — face disproportionate risks during pregnancy and childbirth due to systemic racism and failures in care.”
In honor of Dr. Green Smith, let’s renew our commitment to addressing the ongoing maternal morbidity and mortality crisis and redouble our efforts to move our nation closer to the day when all receive the highest standard of maternal health care.