Empowering Utahns: Community-Centered Approaches to Sexual and Reproductive Health Care (Lunch and Learn)

Empowering Utahns: Community-Centered Approaches to Sexual and Reproductive Health Care (Lunch and Learn)

Presenters: Jami Baayd, MSPH and Erica Torres, MPH

Jami Baayd
Jami Baayd is a public health researcher with the ASCENT Center for Reproductive Health at the University of Utah. She believes access to high quality, stigma-free reproductive healthcare is a human right, and is dedicated to eliminating barriers individuals face in accessing that right.
Her career began in global maternal health where she worked with a multinational team of researchers, providers, and community members to develop and measure a series of trainings to improve management of obstetric emergencies in Bihar, India. After completion of that project, Jami turned her focus closer to home and began working with the Division of Family Planning at the University of Utah. She spent the past four years working on a statewide contraceptive initiative called Family Planning Elevated, which provided no-cost contraception to over 19,000 individuals at 28 health centers throughout the state. With Family Planning Elevated now complete, Jami is currently working on several exciting new projects which she will discuss in her presentation!

Erica Torres
Erica Torres (she/her/ella) serves as the Community Outreach Specialist and Research Development Associate with the ASCENT Center for Reproductive Health. Erica completed her undergraduate degree in Ethnic Studies and earned a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Utah, where she is currently a teaching instructor for the School of Cultural and Social Transformation. Erica brings over 15 years of experience in women’s health, abortion care, contraceptive access and community health education. Understanding the importance of representation, particularly in academia, science, and research, she’s committed to uplifting the work of BIPOC individuals in these fields. Erica’s personal and professional practice is informed by social and reproductive justice, and the unwavering belief that all people should be able plan and live the life they desire to have.