PhD student, Health Policy & Management
University of Minnesota School of Public Health
sheff074@umn.edu
My research interests are in the pregnancy and postpartum care space – specifically how policy impacts health outcomes, access to health care, and quality of health care for birthing populations during and after pregnancy.
I am particularly interested in how these outcomes differ for rural and urban birthing populations in the United States.
Millions of women don’t have access to maternity care, and the number is growing
Kozhimannil KB, Sheffield EC, Interrante JD
Health Affairs Forefront, 2026
Bridging the Gap: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of a New Rural Maternity Care Center Amid Nationwide Closures
Wouk K, Chetwynd E, Sheffield EC, Holder MG, Holder K, Higgins ICA, Barker M, Smith T, van Heerden B, Iglesias D, Dotson A, Helton M
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2026
Higher-level Neonatal Care at Rural and Urban Hospitals in the United States, 2010-2022
Kozhimannil KB, Sheffield EC, Busse CE, Interrante JD, McDaniel CE, Handley SC
Accepted for publication
Availability of Higher-Level Neonatal Care Services in Rural US Counties, 2010-2022
Kozhimannil KB, Sheffield EC, Interrante JD, Busse CE, McDaniel CE, Handley SC
UMN Rural Health Research Center, 2025
Assessing the Extent and Impact of Rural Obstetric Unit Closures.
Interrante JD, Sheffield EC
National Academy for State Health Policy Maternity Care Deserts Policy Academy Webinar, Virtual., November, 2025
An Overview of Maternity Care in Rural US Communities.
Sheffield EC
Guest Lecture for Dr. Zobeida Bonilla’s “Women’s Health” course (PubH 6675), University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN., October, 2025
Rural Healthcare and Hospital Sustainability: A Maternity Care Perspective.
Interrante JD, Sheffield EC
League of Women Voters – Willmar, Community Hot Topics series, Willmar, MN., September, 2025