First Person with Dominique Johnson: Making Safe Infant Sleep Accessible to All

For Black History Month, we sat down with Dominique Johnson, Program Coordinator for Unintentional Injury Prevention at the Patrick M. Magoon Institute for Healthy Communities, to discuss her work educating communities about safe infant sleep practices. In this Q&A, Dominique shares how her personal experiences ignited her passion for infant and maternal health. Read on for her insights.

Can you tell us about an experience that influenced your career path? 

I have always seen myself as an agent of change. Growing up, I thought my road to creating change would be working as a healthcare provider. I began my professional career path as a Nutritionist/WIC Site Supervisor with Near North Health Services, Inc. I worked with participants to help them create dietary and health goals for themselves and their families. I enjoyed empowering them to take control of their health and their surroundings, and I was determined to make a difference. In turn, my clients changed my life. They taught me that teaching nutrition was not enough. I couldn’t encourage healthy lifestyles when the resources such as transportation, access to healthy foods, insufficient health care, and mental health were among the many barriers to limiting a client’s ability to have an optimum life. To impact the health outcomes of mom’s and babies, I needed a new path.  

In my last year working for WIC, I applied to Adler University’s public policy program. During graduate school, I began developing projects to better understand maternal mortality and poor birth outcomes with a focus on the Black community. In my final year with Adler, I attended a symposium led by the University of Illinois at Chicago in partnership with the Cuban Ministry of Public Health. The symposium sought to exchange innovative approaches that may contribute to the decrease of the infant mortality rate in Chicago.

Upon completion of my Master of Public Policy with emphasis in Community Health, I began seeking opportunities to shift my career path. While it took a few years, the opportunity I sought in 2017 came full circle when I received the opportunity to work as an infant safe sleep coordinator with our Unintentional Injury Prevention Program in August 2022. In my current role, I create awareness campaigns in high-risk communities. I recruit and train safe sleep ambassadors and form partnerships with community organizations and healthcare providers to distribute cribs and safe sleep products. While I am still growing in my role, I am also actively finalizing research that I plan to use to adapt our program’s messaging and support to communities and families in need.  

How do you approach conversations about racial health disparities with caregivers that feels supportive, and not judgmental?  

When educating caregivers about sudden unexpected infant death (SUID), the racial health disparities can be overwhelming. Annually, the United States loses 3,700 babies to a sleep-related death, which can include SUID. In Cook County, recent data shows that Black babies are 14 times more likely to be impacted by SUID than white infants. When I approach caregivers about this alarming statistic, I like to lead with stories. When leading parent workshops, the first story that I start every class with is the story of Charlie. Charlie was the child of Sam and Mara Hanke, a pediatrician and elementary teacher who lost their child due to SIDS.  I highlight their story because it shows that regardless of their careers and their role in society, they as white parents also experienced this unfortunate loss. I start with their story to tell parents that SUID can happen to anyone. Through this and other stories shared throughout the workshop, parents can take in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) safe sleep recommendations and understand the dangers associated with unsafe sleep practices.

For me, it is important to work to debunk myths parents have about unsafe sleep practices, while being mindful to listen, and respect the parent’s truth. Some parents find the AAP guidelines unrealistic given the challenges they face or will face when caring for an infant. I always ensure that I listen and validate their concerns surrounding the statistics and racial disparities. Throughout the workshop, I always empower them to know that they can reduce their infant’s risk through breastfeeding, educating themselves and their families by following AAP guidelines.

What advice would you give to Black parents-to-be to help them feel heard, respected and empowered in a medical setting? 

There are so many challenges in our lived experience that have led us to receiving and accepting poor quality care. It can be scary to challenge a medical system where you know biases may exist. To be your child’s best advocate, you must educate yourself. While reading books may not work for everyone, there are so many avenues to learn more about the healthcare experience or appointments such as social media, parent groups, podcasts, or even blogs. I encourage parents to take time to learn about the appointment prior to attending. Write down your questions prior to the appointment. Bring someone with you to the appointment that can advocate on your or your child’s behalf. Finally, find a healthcare provider that you trust and don’t be afraid to change providers until you find the best fit.

What keeps you motivated today? 

I am motivated by the desire to save lives. I take time every week to read research and stay abreast on innovative approaches to reach and target communities that are greatly affected by infant loss. I work weekly to adjust my strategy and approach to serving and supporting the Chicagoland community. I am motivated by the individuals I get to educate and the families I get to support by providing a family with a safe bed for their baby to sleep.  

How do you choose to celebrate Black History Month? 

By reading books, listening to podcasts and watching movies that remind me of the rich history African Americans have contributed to society.  

What’s your favorite book written by a Black author, and why? 

My favorite book is Becoming by Michelle Obama, which I’ve read a few times. It was motivating to see a Black woman from Chicago navigate the journey of self-discovery, balancing family challenges with her own dreams and ultimately navigating life in the White House. As a woman on my own journey of self-discovery who is working to define what “success” means to me personally, I related to the level of uncertainty women feel when navigating acceptance in unfamiliar spaces and the constant question of whether I am “enough.”

Is there a Black-owned business in Chicago you love and think our readers should try? 

While I am not a person that eats out often, I enjoy the Bronzeville Winery. It’s a Black-owned winery in Chicago, with a beautiful ambiance and great food.