Dr. Janell Green Smith's death highlights U.S. maternal health disparities

Dr. Janell Green Smith died on January 2, 2026, from complications shortly after delivering her first child. The American College of Nurse‑Midwives called the death heartbreaking and unacceptable and described it as a failure of systems meant to protect birthing people.

Dr. Janell Green Smith was a certified nurse‑midwife and maternal health advocate who died on January 2, 2026 from complications soon after giving birth to her first child. Her death has drawn attention because she was an experienced clinician who spent her career working to improve childbirth safety. Professional groups and advocates have framed the case as evidence of broader problems in how pregnant people — especially Black women — are treated in U.S. healthcare settings. The discussion comes alongside national data showing persistent racial disparities in maternal outcomes. Reported facts: - Dr. Janell Green Smith died on January 2, 2026 from childbirth complications shortly after delivering her first child. - The American College of Nurse‑Midwives described the death as heartbreaking and unacceptable and said it reflected a failure of systems meant to protect birthing people. - The article cites recent national data showing substantially higher pregnancy‑related death rates for Black women compared with white women. Summary: The case is being discussed as part of a larger pattern of racial disparities in maternal outcomes and as an example where professional expertise did not prevent a fatal outcome. The article notes legislative attention, including the WELLS Act introduced by Representative Robin Kelly, which would propose safe discharge protocols and bias training; further legislative and policy actions are undetermined at this time.