Marilyn Berchie-Gialamas Named Nurse Practitioner of Month
Medscape honored the Baltimore educator for her specialized work in improving maternal health outcomes.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Pregnancy
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Medscape recognized Marilyn Berchie-Gialamas as the Nurse Practitioner of the Month for September 2026. The Baltimore-based assistant professor at Morgan State University was honored for her efforts to improve postpartum care for women of color.
Why it matters
Berchie-Gialamas focused her research and clinical practice on addressing systemic gaps in postpartum depression diagnosis. She determined that existing standard screening tools often failed to accurately identify health issues in women of color, prompting her to implement more effective diagnostic protocols.
Berchie-Gialamas is a mother of six who balances clinical research with academic duties. She currently utilizes the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 to screen for postpartum depression during her home visits.
The players
Marilyn Berchie-Gialamas
She is an assistant professor at Morgan State University and a family nurse practitioner specializing in maternal health.
Medscape
It is a prominent online platform that provides medical information and educational resources for healthcare professionals.
Morgan State University
It is a public research university located in Baltimore, Maryland, which hosts the Center for Maternal and Family Health.
Trinity Maternal Wellness
It is a healthcare organization providing postpartum home visits and support groups for new mothers.
The details
As a co-investigator at Morgan State University, she conducts research specifically addressing maternal health outcomes for women of color. Through Trinity Maternal Wellness, Inc, she provides home visits and educational support services to new mothers across Baltimore, Annapolis, and Howard County.
Timeline
2018: Berchie-Gialamas founded Trinity Maternal Wellness, Inc.
2024: Berchie-Gialamas established the nonprofit Trinity Maternal Wellness.
September 2026: Medscape named Berchie-Gialamas Nurse Practitioner of the Month.
Culture Shift
The recognition highlights a growing movement among medical professionals to challenge legacy diagnostic standards that may carry inherent biases. This reflects a broader societal push toward equitable, culturally competent healthcare delivery in maternal medicine.
New mothers in the Baltimore, Annapolis, and Howard County regions can access specialized postpartum support through the services offered by Trinity Maternal Wellness. This focus on home-based care provides a practical alternative to traditional clinical settings for families needing support.
The takeaway
Advancements in maternal wellness often rely on practitioners who bridge the gap between clinical research and direct community engagement. New parents can benefit by seeking care providers who incorporate targeted screening tools into their postpartum routines.
Further reading
For more on evolving standards in perinatal care, explore our Pregnancy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medscape.
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