“No One Is Immune”: The Heartbreaking Loss of Dr. Janell Green-Smith and What It Means for Black Maternal Health
A Life Dedicated to Healing
On January 2, 2026, the maternal health community in the United States was devastated by the death of Dr. Janell Green-Smith, a Black midwife, scholar, and tireless advocate for equitable maternity care. She tragically passed away due to complications during childbirth at just 31 years old, shortly after delivering her first child.
Known affectionately as the “Loc’d Midwife,” Dr. Green-Smith had devoted her career to improving outcomes for Black birthing people — a demographic that continues to face disproportionate risks during pregnancy and delivery.
A Movement Through Care
Dr. Green-Smith earned her credentials as a certified nurse-midwife and held a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, blending clinical expertise with community advocacy. She partnered with organizations like the Hive Impact Fund to support families during pregnancy and early childhood, emphasizing dignity, respect, and culturally competent care.
Black maternal health advocacy rally highlighting systemic inequities.
In social posts and public appearances, she highlighted a stark reality: Black women in the U.S. are measurably more likely to suffer severe maternal complications than other groups — even when education and socioeconomic status are not barriers.
The Tragedy That Sparked Renewed Conversations
The fact that Dr. Green-Smith died while giving birth — a process she had dedicated her life to making safer — sent shockwaves through healthcare and community spaces. A vigil in Charleston brought together hundreds of mourners, reflecting on both her impact and the broader crisis of maternal health inequity.
Healthcare organizations, including the American College of Nurse-Midwives, called her loss “heartbreaking and unacceptable,” noting that it exposed the deep systemic failures that continue to put Black mothers at risk.
The Legacy She Leaves Behind
Dr. Green-Smith’s story is not just a personal loss, but a national call to action. Her work underscores that:
- Maternal health disparities are systemic: Education and status do not protect Black women from these inequities.
- Advocacy is essential: Her voice brought attention to care practices that honor patient concerns and cultural context.
- Change must be structural: Prevention of future tragedies requires accountability at every level of care.
A Future Worth Fighting For
Dr. Janell Green-Smith’s dedication to her patients and community remains an inspiration. Her legacy lives on in the countless families she supported, the professionals she inspired, and the broader movement for racial equity in healthcare.
Her life reminds us: quality maternal care must be a right — not a privilege — and no one should risk their life to bring new life into the world.