This week’s Hometown Hero, presented by Hendrick Southpoint, is Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody from the UNC School of Medicine.

“Our work at UNC is public service, and it’s been enormously rewarding to me to try and intervene with moms and families to have a meaningful impact,” she said.

Dr. Meltzer-Brody’s research and work focuses on mental health in women, particularly new mothers and expectant mothers, more than 10 percent of whom experience mental health issues.

“Almost everyone knows someone who has been impacted by a maternal mental health issue,” Dr. Meltzer-Brody said. “Postpartum depression is the greatest cause of maternal mortality. For women to suffer in silence and not know that the symptoms they’re having are not okay. It’s not your fault. You have not done something wrong. The most important thing is talking to your doctor or healthcare provider and getting treated.”

Earlier this year, Dr. Meltzer-Brody was the recipient of the O. Max Gardner Award, which is awarded to one professor across the entire UNC System who has made the greatest contribution to the welfare of the human race.

“One of our missions at the UNC School of Medicine is to serve the people of North Carolina and we’re really excited about new work that allows us to partner with the state and reach women to provide expert consultation and perinatal mental health.”

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