Center for Law & Policy Solutions
SPRING 2025

As part of their research internship, Center for Law & Policy Solutions students examined the processes of hospital closures in New York State and nationwide, specifically focusing on trends around maternal care.

Research Presentation

Maternal Healthcare and Hospital Closures

Over the last two decades, hundreds of healthcare facilities in the United States have closed or reduced the services they provide. These closures pose significant challenges for particular communities, especially with respect to maternal healthcare, making access to healthcare more difficult for residents at risk.

Looking at the overall healthcare facility landscape and providing a more focused lens on maternal health, the spring 2025 undergraduate research interns at the Rockefeller Institute’s Center for Law & Policy Solutions (CLPS) have closely researched and analyzed why this is happening and how it affects communities. Their research offers a local snapshot of the threatened closure of Burdett Birth Center, Rensselaer County’s only birth center for residents in both urban and rural areas. Join us for this panel presentation of their findings.

WHEN
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

WHERE
Rockefeller Institute of Government
411 State Street
Albany, NY 12203

Register Now

Meet the Cohort

Ashley Bostic

Ashley Bostic

Center for Law & Policy Solutions Research Intern

Ashley Bostic is a sophomore at the University at Albany, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Sociology. She is passionate about public policy and community advocacy. She has honed her skills in research, public speaking, and project management through impactful roles, including a past internship at the Staten Island Justice Center, where she designed and supported culturally competent, youth-driven community programming. Previously, Bostic interned at the Women in Need Shelter, managing donation operations and leading initiatives like Backpack Buddies to support educational equity. Bostic was recognized on the Dean’s List of Distinguished Students and as a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

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Karina Cruz

Karina Cruz

Center for Law & Policy Solutions Research Intern

Karina Cruz is a junior at University at Albany working toward a bachelor’s degree in communication and a double minor in business administration and international studies. She is an active member in the South American and Latine Student Association serving as outreach chair. Cruz also has experience supporting her university community while furthering her skills through positions such as residential assistant, student ambassador, and volunteering roles. She was previously recognized on the Dean’s List of Distinguished Students and received the Dr. Seth Spellman Jr. Academic Achievement Award.

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Aniyah Dingle

Aniyah Dingle

Center for Law & Policy Solutions Research Intern

Aniyah Dingle is a junior at the University at Albany majoring in political science with a minor in public policy. She has spearheaded research analyzing causes of and solutions to the lack of diversity in New York State and New Jersey public school educators. In fall 2024, she worked under NYS Senator Gustavo Rivera’s legislative team as a policy intern in addition to being a voter canvasser for Chloe Pearce’s campaign for Assembly District 107 through Metro Strategies Group. Dingle currently serves as co-programming chair for the UAlbany pre-law chapter of the National Black Pre-Law Student Association and is an attorney for UAlbany Mock Trial. She plans to complete her BA and MA and go to law school in New York to specialize in anti-trust law.

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