Chloe Lytle

Senior, Valentine School of Nursing

Extern, SSM Health St. Clare Labor and Delivery

As a student in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at SLU’s Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing, Chloe Lytle is poised to become a transformative force in the crisis surrounding maternal health for Black mothers. She is already working to ensure that patients have positive, equitable birthing experiences that are free from bias due to race, status or culture.

What drew you to nursing?

I knew I wanted to care for others, and with the growing issues related to the lack of diversity in the medical field, I developed a passion for Black maternal health. Black women often do not have someone who looks like them caring for them. I also wanted to show other Black women that the role of a nurse is achievable.

What personal experience had an impact on your path?

I was motivated by my mom’s story. She developed preeclampsia during her pregnancy, and I was born at 29 weeks via emergency cesarean section. She had regular prenatal care, but her condition went undiagnosed and untreated. During my delivery, doctors told my mother to choose between her life and mine. Thankfully, we both survived, and I grew up with people telling me I was a miracle baby. It bothered me deeply because, in my mind, I should not have had to be a miracle baby. My mother trusted her medical professionals, and they failed her. Later, when I began researching maternal health, I found death amongst Black women and neonates occurs at a far higher rate than with any other race in the county.

What are you doing beyond your research to have an impact on maternal health?

During Atlas Week at SLU last year, I sat on a panel focused on the Black maternal health crisis. The panel included health care professionals, doulas, public health advocates and lobbyists. The discussion was open to the public, and we had so much interest people had to be turned away. Recently I attended a discussion brunch with health care providers at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital where mothers shared their birthing experiences and talked about what threatened or minimized what should have been a beautiful experience for them. I hope to do the same at SSM Health St. Clare Hospital, where I work and participate in SSM Health’s maternal health community outreach efforts.

How do you know you are having your desired impact?

I felt I was on the right path when I got my first Black patient at SSM Health St. Clare. I sensed an underlying fear in her, so I sat on her bed, holding her hand. I reassured the patient she had an amazing team that would do what was best for her and her baby. She visibly relaxed. She said she felt at peace when she saw me walk into the room. Seeing someone who represented her gave her a sense of trust, and she realized the struggles of race, status or culture would not be part of her birthing experience.

After graduation, how do you plan to expand your impact?

I will continue as a labor and delivery nurse and participate in community outreach in Black communities. Eventually, I will pursue a master's in public health so I can help combat the issues that affect Black maternal health. Women should be able to bring life into the world without fear of losing their own.