A Voice for Missouri Mothers

Before Karen (Bri) Dale (Med ’26) began her medical school journey at Saint Louis University, she felt a pull toward a career in women’s health. Once on campus, she immediately joined the Labor of Love program, where SLU medical students provide doula services to disadvantaged pregnant mothers in St. Louis.

“It was interesting having conversations with these women, especially to understand the issues medical professionals have in addressing long-term care and reducing the high rate of maternal mortality in St. Louis,” Dale said.

These experiences sparked Dale’s interest in expanding doula care, A Voice for Missouri Mothers, offerings throughout Missouri. She is actively advocating for two specific bills that will help reimburse and expand doula care coverage and bring further awareness to physicians throughout the state. Dale shared that SLU has provided her with additional resources to further advance her advocacy efforts.

“Currently, I am trying to get doula care reimbursed by insurance, especially Medicaid, to cover the majority of underserved women in Missouri," she said. “SLU does a good job of emphasizing that we have a voice. I think that is why it inspires medical students to do projects that benefit the community because each day we are encouraged to find the challenges our patients face and do something about them.”

Dale presented her advocacy work for doula services at the Missouri State Medical Association (MSMA) Annual Convention in April 2024. Her work has garnered the support of the Women Physicians Section of the MSMA, the guidance of Sam Page, M.D., St. Louis county executive, and the help of numerous state physicians. She hopes all her efforts will ignite conversations that translate into better health care for women in and beyond St. Louis.

 “My ultimate goal is to help people advocate for themselves and have a better health care experience, then I've accomplished something,” Dale said.