Our History

A More Excellent Way Health Improvement Organization in Vallejo, CA began working with pregnant women in Solano County in 2005. Our company was birthed from Dr. Monique Sims’ dissertation project at the University of California, Berkeley. Her dissertation title was “Engaging the Faith Community to Improve Breastfeeding Rates of African American Women.”

Dr. Sims partners with churches in Solano and Contra Costa counties to conduct the MEW Church-Placed Breastfeeding Program, which consists of five phases: forming a collaborative steering committee, conducting a breastfeeding training, lactation accommodation activities at the church, a county-wide African American community baby shower, and a peer counselor program.

Beyond the nine baby showers we conducted in Contra Costa and 17 in Solano County, MEW has evolved to hold lactation education trainings in the community and for organizations. We have also partnered with different universities and institutions to expand their cultural competency, community engagement, nutrition, breastfeeding, public health, and public policy programs.

About Dr. Monique Sims

Our organization’s chief executive officer and founder is Dr. Monique Sims, a doctor in public health, registered dietitian, and internationally board-certified lactation consultant. She has worked in management for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program in Alameda, Solano and Contra Costa for over 23 years. Currently, she is the WIC Director in Berkeley.

Dr. Sims has been a resident of Solano County for over 35 years. She has been actively involved in public health programs and community health interventions and has received several state and local awards for her public health interventions.