First Lady Tammy Murphy hosted her eighth and final Nurture NJ Leadership Summit in East Brunswick, bringing together nearly 800 participants to discuss collaborative solutions for maternal health in New Jersey. The summit focused on breaking down barriers and amplifying the voices of mothers, families, and caregivers in addressing the state’s maternal health crisis.
“It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve New Jersey’s moms and babies. Over the past eight years, Nurture NJ has grown from an idea to a statewide movement with thousands of partners, and has fostered collaboration, advanced policy changes, and transformed our state into a leader in maternal and infant health care,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “While our work is far from over, I have tremendous hope for the future, and I am more certain than ever that what we have built will make New Jersey the safest and most equitable state in the nation to deliver and raise a baby.”
Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill commented on persistent disparities in access to quality maternal healthcare for Black mothers across New Jersey. “For too long, Black mothers across New Jersey have been unable to access quality, affordable maternal health care. That’s unacceptable. I applaud the work of programs like Nurture NJ that have worked to drive down the maternal mortality rate, and I’m grateful for First Lady Murphy’s continued focus on this important issue,” said Sherrill. “As governor, I look forward to strengthening Nurture NJ and the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority while investing in a culturally competent healthcare workforce, including doulas and midwives.”
Since its launch in 2018 by Murphy as part of efforts to address maternal and infant health issues statewide, Nurture NJ has contributed to significant developments. More than 70 pieces of related legislation have been signed by Governor Phil Murphy. Over half of recommendations from the initiative’s strategic plan have been started or completed. The Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority was established to oversee ongoing work through initiatives such as the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center based in Trenton—which began construction in July 2025—and Family Connects NJ, which offers universal nurse home visits for new parents within two weeks after childbirth at no cost.
New Jersey’s ranking for maternal mortality improved significantly according to America’s Health Rankings report; it moved from 47th place nationally up to 25th place.
The Rutgers School of Public Health has evaluated Nurture NJ’s impact through research briefs showing positive trends such as reduced low-risk Cesarean birth rates and increased use of family leave benefits.
The summit featured expert panels moderated by Barbara George Johnson—chair of the Maternal Infant Health Innovation Authority Board—and a keynote speech by Latham Thomas, founder of Mama Glow & Mama Glow Foundation.
“In all of the communities we have served, I’ve witnessed the same truth: when we uplift mothers, we uplift generations. Here in New Jersey, First Lady Tammy Murphy’s vision for Nurture NJ is proof of what becomes possible when we center care, connection, and collective responsibility. This Summit is not just a gathering—it’s a reminder that transformative change happens when community wisdom leads the way,” said Thomas. “As we come together for the final time in 2025, we have the opportunity to deepen trust, dismantle silos, and design a maternal health system rooted in dignity, equity, and love. I’m honored to stand with this powerful movement, to serve as this year’s keynote speaker as we chart a future where every mother, baby, and family can truly thrive.”
