Episcopal Health Services Receives $150,000 Grant from Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to Advance Maternal Health Equity

Far Rockaway, New York, February 2, 2026 — Episcopal Health Services (EHS) has been awarded a $150,000 grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to continue providing free, individualized and culturally responsive support to pregnant women of color in the Rockaways, regardless of gestational age.

The initiative is designed to reduce persistent maternal health disparities in historically marginalized communities by addressing the systemic social, economic and environmental factors that influence pregnancy outcomes. Through this funding, EHS will provide comprehensive maternal health support to 120 participants, promoting improved long-term health for both mothers and their children.

Each participant will receive a personalized Individualized Care Plan (ICP) tailored to their medical, social and emotional needs. The program emphasizes continuity of care, culturally competent engagement and community-based support — essential components in advancing maternal health equity and strengthening family stability.

“This grant allows us to advance our commitment to mothers who face disproportionate risks during pregnancy,” said Jacqueline M. Marecheau, MD, FACOG, Chair, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at EHS. “By addressing not only clinical needs but also the social conditions that influence health, we are creating a more equitable system of care for families on the Rockaway Peninsula and surrounding communities.”

This award marks the fourth grant Episcopal Health Services has received from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. Previous funding helped establish and expand maternal health programming, including St. John’s Episcopal Hospital’s pioneering Doula Program. The continued partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing health equity and improving outcomes for vulnerable New Yorkers.

“Our grantee partners are navigating an incredibly challenging landscape, and yet their commitment to serving their communities continues to deepen. These grants demonstrate our resolve to stand with them by addressing urgent needs today, while strengthening the systems and workforce that will support New Yorkers’ health for years to come,” said Msgr. Gregory Mustaciuolo, Chief Executive Officer of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.

This Maternal Social Determinants of Health Program is part of EHS’s broader strategy to expand women’s health services in the Rockaways and serve as a regional hub for advanced, comprehensive care.

About Episcopal Health Services Episcopal Health Services Inc., (EHS) is a health system located on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, New York. The system provides emergency and ambulatory care to the densely populated, culturally and economically diverse, and medically underserved Rockaways and Five Towns populations. The system provides people of all faiths with comprehensive preventive, diagnostic treatment, and rehabilitative services, regardless of their ability to pay.

About the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of vulnerable communities, eliminate barriers to care and bridge gaps in health services. Named after a tireless advocate for immigrants, children and the poor, the Foundation funds programs and initiatives across New York State, including many that reflect a variety of religions and faiths. Its grantees provide either direct healthcare services or address the social determinants of health. For more information, visit https://www.cabrinihealth.org/.