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Speaking Engagements

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The text 'the BirthTrauma mama' in white, varying font sizes and styles, on a black background.

Keynotes, conference sessions, and organizational presentations grounded in both research and lived experience, delivered with compassion, clarity, and clinical expertise.

Invite Kayleigh to Speak

Kayleigh Summers, LCSW, PMH-C, brings a rare combination of clinical expertise and lived experience to every stage she steps on. As a licensed clinical social worker, perinatal trauma specialist, published researcher, and amniotic fluid embolism survivor, she offers audiences the kind of insight that only comes from living on both sides of the work.

Her speaking engagements are designed for medical professionals, maternal health organizations, birth professionals, perinatal mental health clinicians, and community organizations working to improve care.

Kayleigh has presented to audiences ranging from 25 to 500 attendees at institutions including AWHONN (National and Chapter Conferences), Johnson & Johnson Medtech, Duke University Grand Rounds, Indiana University Health, University of New Mexico Medical School, Postpartum Support International, and UPMC.

Presentation Topics

Kayleigh speaks on a range of topics related to birth trauma, patient experience, and trauma-informed perinatal care. Presentations can be tailored to your audience and format.

Supporting Perinatal Trauma Survivors in the Therapy Room

For mental health professionals: how to effectively support clients navigating birth trauma, including assessment, treatment approaches, and common clinical pitfalls.

Surviving an Amniotic Fluid Embolism: A Therapist's Perspective

Kayleigh's personal story of surviving an AFE and its emotional aftermath, paired with clinical insights on supporting survivors and families after catastrophic birth events.

Kayleigh Summers giving a presentation in front of a projection screen, with coffee cups on the table in the foreground. The slide on the screen discusses the importance of medicine in saving lives and changing patient outcomes.

Mitigating and Preventing Birth Trauma on L&D

Practical strategies for labor and delivery teams to reduce traumatic experiences through communication, advocacy, and patient-centered care.

Supporting Patients and Families After a Severe Maternal Event

A framework for healthcare teams to provide compassionate, informed follow-up care after obstetric emergencies, drawn from both clinical research and lived experience

Custom Topics

Kayleigh is available for custom presentations tailored to your organization's specific needs, audience, and goals. Reach out to discuss.

A woman standing at a podium on a stage with large blue letters spelling 'AWHHON' in front of her, presenting at a conference. Behind her, a large screen shows a slide titled 'Surviving an Amniotic Fluid Embolism' featuring two images and a timeline with the step 'Meeting Callahan Medical Team debrief' on Day 5.

Where Kayleigh Has Spoken

Kayleigh's speaking experience spans hospitals, conferences, nonprofits, and professional learning programs across the country.

Speaking List (most recent first):

  • AWHONN National Conference, June 2026 (50 attendees)

  • Indiana University Health, Keynote Speaker, May 2026 (50 attendees)

  • AWHONN South Central Carolina Chapter Conference, April 2026 (25 attendees)

  • Indiana AIM (Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health), February 2026 (65 attendees)

  • University of New Mexico Medical School HALO Conference, Keynote Speaker, October 2025 (100 attendees)

  • Postpartum Support International Conference, July 2025 (50 attendees)

  • California AWHONN Conference, February 2025 (100 attendees)

  • Johnson & Johnson Medtech Conference, October 2024 (300 attendees)

  • AWHONN National Conference, June 2024 (500 attendees)

  • AWHONN Maine Chapter Conference, April 2024 (100 attendees)

  • Duke University Grand Rounds, November 2024 (40 attendees)

  • UPMC Perinatal Conference, Keynote Speaker, September 2023 (100 attendees)

A woman giving a presentation about Day 6 of a program, with a slide showing schedule times and activities, including '7:00 am Exit Lap & Washout' and '9:00 pm Extubated,' at a conference or seminar in a forum events center.

Organizational Training

In addition to conference presentations, Kayleigh offers custom trainings for hospitals, clinics, and perinatal organizations seeking to create trauma-informed systems and reduce retraumatization in care settings.

These trainings are designed to go deeper than a single keynote. They are built to shift how your team communicates with patients, responds to birth complications, supports one another after difficult cases, or develops institution-wide trauma-informed practices, and are tailored to your organization's needs and goals.

Inquire About Training

Publications & Research

Kayleigh's work extends beyond the stage. She has contributed to peer-reviewed research and national clinical toolkits focused on improving maternal care.

Publication 1: Bauer, M. E., Summers, K., Cassidy, A. G., Chavez, A., Nath, R., Carr, A., Panelli, D. M., Walczak, C., Tabios, M., & Main, E. K. (2026). A framework for supporting patients and families after a severe maternal event. Obstetrics & Gynecology. Advance online publication.

Publication 2: Klassen, M., & Summers, K. (2025). Effective communication during and after an amniotic fluid embolism. MCN: The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing, 50(5), 269-276.

Publication 3: California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC). (2025). Improving diagnosis and treatment of obstetric sepsis, V2.0 toolkit.

Working Groups:

  • CMQCC (California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative): Working Group to update the Sepsis Toolkit V2.0 (2025)

  • APSF (Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation): Working Group to Develop Educational Materials (ongoing)

Book Kayleigh for Your Next Event

Interested in having Kayleigh speak at your conference, hospital, organization, or event? Fill out the form below with your event details and she'll be in touch within two business days.