The death of Dr. Janell Green Smith, a respected midwife, educator, and outspoken advocate for Black maternal health, has sent shockwaves through the maternal care community in the United States and beyond.
Dr. Green Smith, who dedicated her professional life to preventing pregnancy- and childbirth-related deaths, died in early 2026 following complications after the birth of her first child.
Her passing has been described by colleagues and professional bodies as both heartbreaking and deeply troubling—particularly because her life’s work centered on addressing the very risks that ultimately claimed her life.
A Life Devoted to Safer Birth Outcomes
Dr. Green Smith was a certified nurse midwife (CNM) and doctor of nursing practice, widely known for her work in community-based maternity care and clinical education. She practiced at a community birth center in Charleston, South Carolina, where she provided prenatal and postpartum care, attended births, and mentored the next generation of midwives and women’s health clinicians.
Colleagues describe her as a deeply compassionate clinician who prioritized patient education, informed consent, and early recognition of warning signs during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Beyond clinical care, she was a vocal advocate for equitable maternal health systems, particularly for Black women, who continue to face disproportionately high risks during childbirth in the United States.
Her death has been especially painful for many in the field because Dr. Green Smith embodied the expertise, vigilance, and advocacy that maternal health systems often call for.
Unanswered Questions and Wider Implications
The exact cause of Dr. Green Smith’s death has not been publicly disclosed. However, her passing has reignited difficult conversations about maternal mortality, postpartum monitoring, and systemic gaps in care—even for highly trained healthcare professionals.
Public health data consistently show that a significant proportion of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, often linked to delays in recognizing complications, inadequate follow-up after delivery, and inconsistencies in care quality. Conditions such as hypertension, preeclampsia, and postpartum hemorrhage remain leading contributors when not identified or treated promptly.
Dr. Green Smith’s death has been compared to other cases involving medically knowledgeable women who nevertheless suffered fatal complications after childbirth, highlighting persistent vulnerabilities within maternity care systems.
Professional Community Responds
In a strongly worded statement, the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) described Dr. Green Smith’s death as “heartbreaking and unacceptable,” noting the painful reality that Black women—regardless of education, income, or professional status—continue to face disproportionate risks during pregnancy and childbirth.
The organization emphasized that her death reflects systemic failures and renewed its commitment to dismantling racial inequities in maternal healthcare, strengthening accountability, and working directly with Black clinicians and communities to prevent future tragedies.
Healthcare professionals across the country have echoed these sentiments, sharing tributes that highlight Dr. Green Smith’s leadership, warmth, and unwavering commitment to respectful, evidence-based care. Nurse and healthcare influencer Jen Hamilton and many former patients and colleagues have publicly honored her legacy, stressing the importance of listening to patients and taking symptoms seriously during and after pregnancy.
Data Underscores Persistent Disparities
According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), maternal deaths and severe pregnancy-related complications occur at higher rates among certain racial and ethnic groups, even when controlling for income and education. Researchers point to differences in access to prenatal and postpartum care, quality of hospital services, and how patient concerns are evaluated and treated.
In response, professional organizations and health systems have increasingly called for expanded postpartum care, standardized clinical protocols, improved data tracking, and earlier intervention when warning signs appear.
Community Support and Legacy Initiatives
In the wake of Dr. Green Smith’s passing, colleagues and supporters have organized efforts to support her family, including a GoFundMe campaign to assist her husband and newborn daughter with immediate needs. Nursing and midwifery groups have also announced plans for scholarships and community listening sessions focused on improving maternity care and honoring her work.
As the maternal health community mourns, many say Dr. Janell Green Smith’s legacy will endure—not only in the lives she touched, but in the renewed urgency to confront the systemic failures her death has laid bare.
