This article describes the design of the ELEVATE Maternal Health Center of Excellence in Utah, an interdisciplinary initiative intended to reduce maternal illness and death associated with substance use disorders. Its work focuses particularly on rural communities and American Indian and Alaska Native patients. Two major projects are planned: culturally adapted, integrated perinatal care for Native mothers with substance use disorders and simulation-based training to reduce stigma and improve clinicians’ empathy during labor and delivery. Community engagement, training, and implementation teams will support evaluation and potential statewide expansion. This is a program description and research plan; it does not yet demonstrate improved maternal outcomes.
