Women’s Health Associates Receives Grant, Welcomes Anne Vaillant

SPRINGFIELD — Women’s Health Associates, a specialized women’s healthcare practice providing obstetrical and gynecological care in Springfield and Westfield, announced that certified nurse midwife Anne Vaillant is rejoining the practice after focusing her efforts on applying for and receiving a perinatal support grant through MotherWoman, the state Department of Mental Health, and the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Project.

Vaillant, who has more than 20 years of experience caring for women, is now booking appointments for the Springfield and Westfield offices. Upon her return, she will expand her clinical focus to include both office-based ob/gyn services and care for women with perinatal emotional complications.

The grant will give providers in Greater Westfield and the hilltowns the tools necessary to build a leadership team with key partners from primary care, mental health, social services, and mothers with lived experience of postpartum depression; create a city-wide coalition to address perinatal mental-health issues; develop strategies to address barriers to care; and provide perinatal support groups for mothers at risk for, or experiencing, perinatal depression.

“Postpartum depression affects one mother in five, and it is estimated that one in every three women experiences depression during pregnancy. With numbers like these, it is imperative that all of us increase our understanding of perinatal emotional complications and share resources to build a stronger safety net for all women and families in our community,” Vaillant said, adding that the grant “provides a rare opportunity to work closely with experts in the field of perinatal mental health.”

Dr. Robert Wool, a board-certified ob/gyn at Women’s Health Associates, added that “Anne has always had a warmth and sensitivity about her that puts patients at ease. We are extremely fortunate to have her return to our practice and even more fortunate that she will be able to help women address perinatal depression and emotional complications thanks to the perinatal support grant.”

Vaillant received her RN and master’s degree in nursing from Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, where she worked as a staff nurse. Following her graduation, she worked at community health centers in Dorchester and Brockton. She received her certificate of nurse midwifery from the University of Rhode Island.

Vaillant has a long-standing interest in the psychosocial aspects of women’s health, including menopausal symptoms, menstrual and pregnancy problems, premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and postpartum depression. She is a menopause practitioner certified by the North American Menopause Society, a MotherWoman postpartum support group facilitator, and has completed training in hypnobirthing and centering group prenatal care. She joined Women’s Health Associates in 2004.

To schedule an appointment, call the Springfield office at (413) 736-9978 or the Westfield office at (413) 562-8306. For more information, visit whaob-gyn.com.