Fixing our democracy demands bold change. In this talk, Maryland Carey Law Professor Max Stearns outlines three essential reforms: 1️⃣ Reimagine the House of Representatives — blend single-member districts and proportional representation to end gerrymandering. 2️⃣ Encourage multi-party coalitions — move beyond the two-party trap and give voters real choices. 3️⃣ Create a way to remove a deeply problematic president — ensure accountability at the highest level. These reforms strike a Goldilocks balance: not too few, not too many—just right. The goal? A stronger, more representative, and more resilient democracy. #Democracy #PoliticalReform #MaxStearns

Jacqueline C. Mitchell, PhD, MS, CRNA, FAANA, assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, delivered her mini-lecture “Becoming the Story” at the 2025 University of Maryland, Baltimore Faculty Convocation.Born in the Caribbean and later serving in the U.S. Army as a nurse anesthetist, Mitchell reflects on her journey from childhood dreams to caring for soldiers in Afghanistan. She shares lessons on values, courage, and listening to the “whisper” that guides our purpose.This powerful speech challenges us to honor those who serve, to live out our dreams, and to inspire others through our actions.🎓 University of Maryland, Baltimore – Seven Schools, One University#BecomingTheStory #JacquelineMitchell #UMBConvocation #MarylandNursing #NurseAnesthetist #Leadership #Inspiration #Courage #ArmyNurse #Values

Maxwell Stearns, Venable, Baetjer & Howard Professor of Law at Maryland Carey Law, delivered a mini-lecture, "Saving the Future of Our Democracy," at the 2025 University of Maryland, Baltimore Faculty Convocation.In this speech, Stearns explains why America’s two-party presidential system is failing and calls for bold reforms to strengthen democracy. He highlights the dangers of gerrymandering and social media, and outlines solutions: rethinking the House of Representatives, encouraging multi-party coalitions, and creating a way to remove deeply problematic presidents.Stearns warns that no democracy lasts forever—but with the right choices, ours can thrive for generations.🎓 University of Maryland, Baltimore – Seven Schools, One University#MaxStearns #Democracy #UMBConvocation #MarylandCareyLaw #UniversityofMaryland #LawAndDemocracy #Gerrymandering #PoliticalReform #CivicEngagement

Every mother deserves a safe, supported birth experience.Rachel Blankstein Breman, assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, shares how her research is transforming maternal care, empowering women, and improving health outcomes.This research is supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)'s Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).#BreakthroughsCantWait #MaternalHealth #BirthExperience #NursingResearch #HealthEquity

Childbirth is one of life’s most important moments — but many people say their voices aren’t heard during their prenatal care and birth.Pointing to scientific literature, Rachel Blankstein Breman, PhD, MPH, RN, FAWHONN, assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, said, “We have recently seen an uptick in people reporting that they don't feel heard and that their preferences and their options aren't necessarily being explained to them by their providers. And so I created CHOICES to measure the patient experience, because I felt that we needed something to objectively measure what people were saying was happening.”CHOICES — CHildbirth Options, Information, and Person-Centered Explanation — is the first patient-reported measure designed to capture what people experience in maternity care. Unlike traditional metrics such as C-section rates or newborn Apgar scores, it centers the patient voice.This research is supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.#ChildBirth #pregnancy #NIHResearch