On June 7, Midwest Dairy partnered with the Arkansas Medical, Dental, and Pharmaceutical Association (AMDPA) to co-host a compelling general session at the 2025 AMDPA Scientific Session in Little Rock, Arkansas. The event brought together health professionals from across disciplines to explore a crucial topic: the role of early-life nutrition in maternal and infant health.
The session, titled “Roots of Health: Closing the Maternal Gap Through Early Life Nutrition,” focused on the importance of foundational nutrition for pregnant and lactating mothers. This often overlooked component plays a vital role in long-term health outcomes. Caroline Weeks, a Physician Assistant and Registered Dietitian, led the session with an evidence-based discussion on how nutrition interventions, including dairy, can support healthier pregnancies and early development. Her insights underscored how foods, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, deliver essential vitamins and minerals like calcium, protein, and B12 that are critical during the prenatal and postpartum periods.
Following Weeks’ presentation, the session transitioned into a powerful panel discussion, moderated by Dr. William Greenfield, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Panelists included:
- Caroline Weeks, PA and RDN
- Nicolle Fletcher, Doula and Midwife
- Zenobia Harris, Executive Director of the Arkansas Birthing Project and Acting Director of Birthing Project USA
They addressed the maternal health gap through diverse lenses, emphasizing the importance of collaborative, community-based solutions to improve outcomes for mothers and babies, particularly among underserved populations.
Midwest Dairy’s participation reflects its ongoing commitment to supporting health professionals and maternal care advocates with research-based insights and nutritional strategies. Events like this elevate dairy’s role in the conversation about lifelong wellness, especially during the earliest stages of life. Midwest Dairy thanks its partners and attendees for their shared commitment to advancing maternal and infant health through the power of nutrition.