|
A distinguished Assistant Professor of Sociology at SUNY Old Westbury, Dr. Goode's research has profoundly impacted our understanding of Black midwifery in the United States. Her dissertation, "Birthing, Blackness, and the Body: Black Midwives and Experiential Continuities of Institutional Racism," offered a pivotal and deeply-needed exploration of contemporary Black midwives in the U.S., advancing our understanding of their experiences and challenges in a system shaped by institutional racism. This work has been instrumental in highlighting the challenges faced by Black midwives and has paved the way for more inclusive practices within midwifery.
Dr. Goode's commitment to reproductive justice is evident through her extensive research and advocacy. She has been a vocal proponent of addressing systemic barriers that hinder marginalized communities from accessing midwifery education and practice. Her efforts have been recognized by the National Black Midwives Alliance, which honored her with the Astounding Advocacy Award for her unwavering support in advancing Black midwifery.
Beyond her scholarly achievements, Dr. Goode has been a mentor and leader, inspiring many within the midwifery community. Her dedication to fostering a racially, ethnically, and socially representative midwifery workforce has left an indelible mark on NACPM and the broader midwifery landscape.
As Dr. Keisha Goode transitions from her role at NACPM after nine incredible years, we invite you to join us in celebrating her remarkable contributions. Dr. Goode's unwavering dedication to midwifery advocacy, equity, and leadership has left an indelible mark on our community and the profession at large.
We’ve set up a Kudos Board where you can share your words of gratitude, celebration, and well wishes for Dr. Goode. Let’s come together to honor her legacy and the incredible impact she has made.
Visit Keisha’s Kudos Board to leave your message. |
| |  | Welcome to Our New Board Members: Brooke Prudhomme, CPM, and Lisa C. Peña, LM, CPM |
| The National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM) is thrilled to welcome Brooke Prudhomme and Lisa C. Peña to our Board of Directors. Both bring a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to advancing midwifery care and advocacy. Learn more about their inspiring journeys and the unique perspectives they bring to our mission.
Lisa C. Peña, LM, CPMLisa is a Native Chicana midwife whose roots span generations in the borderlands of the Chihuahuan desert in New Mexico. Her practice combines her traditional and cultural New Mexican Curandera-Partera midwifery with a modern, clinical approach. Lisa's journey into midwifery began as a childbirth educator and birth doula, culminating in her training at Maternidad La Luz in El Paso, TX.
Lisa brings her rich cultural heritage and holistic care model to her work as a traveling midwife across New Mexico, focusing on providing ethical, safe, and inclusive care to BIPOC families. She also serves on the Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) in New Mexico, where she is driven by her passion to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.
Beyond her midwifery practice, Lisa is a Reiki Master, herbal medicine practitioner, and educator dedicated to bridging cultural care with reproductive justice. Her vision includes publishing writings that explore the cultural significance of New Mexican midwifery and Chicanisma, advancing education and advocacy within midwifery.
Brooke Prudhomme, CPMBrooke is a fierce advocate for joy and a committed voice for birthing people everywhere. With extensive experience in out-of-hospital midwifery care, she has served as the Director of Midwifery for both for-profit and nonprofit birth centers and is a founding member of the midwifery team at CHOICES: Memphis Center for Reproductive Health. Brooke also shares her expertise as adjunct faculty at Bastyr University and as a board member of the Midwives Association of Washington State (MAWS).
In 2024, Brooke launched OVA Sanctum, a Midwifery Guide and Telehealth service designed to empower individuals seeking midwifery care and support. Her advocacy extends to equity and inclusion through her volunteer work with Transforming White Privilege for Midwives and her dedication to supporting underrepresented communities in midwifery.
As the mother of three boys and a stepdaughter, Brooke combines her personal and professional passion for uplifting others. She is devoted to helping midwives and birthing people reach their full potential, promoting strength, wisdom, and equity at every step.
Both Brooke and Lisa embody the values and vision of NACPM, and we are honored to have them join us in shaping the future of midwifery. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to these incredible leaders as they contribute their voices, expertise, and unwavering commitment to our community. |
| |  | Celebrating the 2024 B.I.R.T.H. and Afua Hassan Midwifery Scholarship Recipients
We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2024 B.I.R.T.H. and Afua Hassan Midwifery Scholarships, awarded in partnership with NACPM. These scholarships provide financial support to BIPOC midwifery students, helping them pursue their education and improve maternal and infant health outcomes in their communities. This year’s recipients exemplify the passion, resilience, and dedication that this scholarship seeks to uplift. JacQue, from Houston, Texas, is a midwife’s assistant and founder of Rooted Birthkeeping. She is passionate about empowering families with informed care and pursuing midwifery to create more respectful and empowering birth experiences.
Jamie Tutiven, a third-year student at Mercy in Action, is a mother of five who advocates for better birth outcomes globally. Her VBAC journey inspires her mission to educate and empower women in achieving their birthing goals.
Natalie Guzman, a bilingual doula and student midwife, is dedicated to supporting Spanish-speaking families. Her home birth experience transformed her passion for helping others achieve the births of their dreams.
Why This Scholarship MattersThe B.I.R.T.H. and Afua Hassan Midwifery Scholarship addresses critical disparities in maternal and infant health within BIPOC communities. By supporting the education of future midwives, this initiative fosters a workforce dedicated to reducing infant and maternal mortality and morbidity. These scholarships also ensure that midwives like JacQue, Jamie, and Natalie have the resources they need to succeed and make a lasting impact.
This year’s recipients are not only exceptional students but also passionate advocates who are transforming birth care in their communities. Their commitment to serving Houston’s families—particularly those from underserved populations—aligns perfectly with the scholarship’s mission.
Congratulations!We are honored to celebrate JacQue, Jamie, and Natalie as they continue their journeys in midwifery. They inspire us all with their dedication to making birth safer, more respectful, and empowering for all families. Congratulations to each of them, and we can’t wait to see the incredible impact they will have! |
| |  | Watch and Take Action: Advancing Midwifery Care for Military Families |
| Our Operations and Engagement Manager, Abriah Miles, led an inspiring discussion on improving midwifery care for military families through TRICARE, the military healthcare system. This impactful conversation is now available to watch on our website!
Featuring Ashley Jones, CPM and Executive Director of True North Birth Center, and Melissa Chong, CPM—both retired military spouses—the discussion highlights the challenges service members and their families face and the transformative potential of expanding midwifery care within TRICARE.
Topics include: Expanding TRICARE to include Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) and Licensed Midwives (LMs). Improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes through midwifery care. Reducing cesarean rates and preterm births. Advocacy and collaboration to make midwifery care more accessible.
How You Can Take Action: We urgently request that you contact your legislators regarding the three federal midwifery bills. It only takes a few minutes to take action. Thank you for your support! Learn more + take action>> Send a postcard: Advocate directly by sending a state-specific postcard to your representatives. Donate: Support NACPM’s TRICARE Reimbursement Strategy. Join the STRIKE task force: Help create pathways for TRICARE expansion. Learn more: Explore NACPM’s TRICARE Expansion Initiative.
This is a critical moment for improving care for military families—don’t miss this opportunity to learn and make a difference. Watch the video and take action today! |
| |  | NACPM warmly invites students to join us for our first ever Student Social Hour, a dedicated time for connecting with fellow student midwives and discussing the unique challenges and opportunities within the midwifery journey. You’ll have the chance to engage in an open conversation with our Executive Director, Cassaundra Jah, and Operations & Engagement Manager, Abriah Miles, who are interested to hear your concerns, answer questions, and explore how NACPM can better support you on your journey.
This Social Hour is your opportunity to: Connect with fellow student midwives. Voice your concerns and challenges in a supportive environment. Learn more about how NACPM can provide resources and support to help you thrive. Engage with NACPM leaders who are passionate about improving the future of midwifery.
Your input is essential as we continue to grow as a community-driven organization. Help us support your goals and aspirations as a future midwife while building a network of encouragement and shared experience. We look forward to connecting with you and hearing your valuable insights. Please RSVP by December 10th 2024 if you’re able to join us! If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to our Operations + Engagement Manager, Abriah Miles at operations@nacpm.org.
|
| | | CMS Announces New Policies to Reduce Maternal Mortality, Increase Access to Care, and Advance Health Equity
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has introduced new policies aimed at improving maternity care and expanding access to healthcare for underserved communities. Effective January 1, 2025, these changes include new health and safety standards for hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) providing obstetric services, such as staffing requirements, quality improvement programs, and maternal health training. The policies also introduce emergency readiness and transfer protocols for obstetric emergencies.
CMS is also removing barriers to healthcare for those formerly incarcerated, expanding access to Medicare for individuals on bail, parole, or probation. Additionally, the final rule increases access to non-opioid pain relief treatments and high-cost cancer drugs for tribal communities.
Why This Matters to NACPM:
These new policies are a significant step in addressing maternal health disparities and improving access to care, especially for underserved communities. As an organization dedicated to advancing midwifery care, NACPM welcomes these efforts to enhance safety standards and reduce healthcare inequities, ultimately supporting better outcomes for birthing people and their families. READ MORE AT CMS.GOV |
| |  | We are pleased to invite you to our webinar, A Listening Session with NARM, scheduled for Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 4:00 PM (pacific); 6:00 PM (central); 7:00PM (eastern). The goal of this session is to gather feedback for NARM from individuals who have, or plan to have, experience with the CPM credentialing process. To join the session, please register here. |
| |  | Planned Home Births Found as Safe as Birth Center Births for Low-Risk Pregnancies
We are proud to share groundbreaking research that supports the safety and efficacy of community-based midwifery care. A new study, led by researchers at Oregon State University, confirms that planned home births for low-risk pregnancies are as safe as planned birth center births.
Published in the journal Medical Care, this study analyzed over 110,000 births across all 50 states, using data from two national registries—the Midwives Alliance of North America Statistics (MANAStats) and the Perinatal Data Registry (PDR). The findings revealed comparable outcomes for maternal and neonatal health, with no differences in perinatal mortality.
Key highlights include: Fewer Transfers: Planned home births had lower rates of hospital transfers than birth center births. Neonatal Health: Lower rates of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions were observed in planned home births. Maternal Safety: Both settings showed similar outcomes for maternal hospitalization and postpartum hemorrhage.
The Evidence Behind Safe Birth Options
This research was led by Dr. Marit Bovbjerg and Dr. Melissa Cheyney, co-directors of Oregon State University’s Uplift Lab. They emphasize that their findings challenge long-standing misconceptions about the safety of home birth, aligning with global studies that recognize planned community births as a safe alternative to hospital births for low-risk pregnancies. Dr. Bovbjerg notes, “This study highlights that home and birth center births are equally safe for low-risk pregnancies, reaffirming the importance of informed choice for birthing people.”
Empowering Choice, Supporting Equity
These findings reinforce NACPM’s commitment to supporting informed decision-making and equitable access to safe birth options. We recognize that collaborative, partnership-based care and shared decision-making are essential to achieving optimal outcomes for birthing people and their families.
As we continue to advocate for midwifery care and community-based birth options, this research strengthens our collective voice in promoting the value of normal physiologic birth and addressing systemic barriers to midwifery access. To read the full study Click the link below. |
| | |  | New Membership Model Coming in 2025!
Starting in January, NACPM will launch a new membership model designed to ensure accessibility for everyone. Our Green Bottle Membership Model will use a sliding scale system, allowing members to choose what they can afford based on their individual financial situation. This approach reflects our commitment to equity and sustainability while keeping membership open to all.
More details will be shared soon, including information on membership fees, how the sliding scale works, and important dates for the transition. Stay tuned for email updates, and thank you for supporting NACPM as we continue to grow together! |
|  |
Exciting News from Illinois: CPM Licensing Applications Opening Soon
After over four decades of tireless consumer and midwife advocacy, Illinois Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) are celebrating a historic milestone. The licensing process, established by the Certified Professional Midwife Practice Act passed two years ago, is expected to open for initial applications in the coming weeks. This marks the long-awaited reinstatement of direct-entry midwife licensing in Illinois, paving the way for expanded access to midwifery care and greater recognition of CPMs’ vital role in supporting safe, physiologic birth.
However, many CPMs may find the $500 application fee a financial challenge, donate to the Bigger Table Fund which awards $3,000 quarterly to cover testing and licensing fees for new midwives.
Stay tuned for updates and ways to help make licensing accessible for everyone! |
| | |  | We’re asking every member to consider a $10 donation for every birth they attend in 2024. Imagine the impact, if every one of their clients also donated $10 to support their midwife’s profession! Help make this campaign a success by making a donation today. |
| | | | Midwife Flowers Jersey Short Sleeve Deep V-Neck Tee |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| All purchases directly support The Bigger Table Fund! |
| |  | VIEW OUR EVENT CALENDAR HERE If you or people in your network/community are hosting relevant events, or events that offer CEUs to midwives, please share this form with them so that we can feature their event on our calendar.
SUBMIT YOUR EVENT HERE Thank you for helping us showcase the incredible work happening in the midwifery community! |
| |  | |
|
|
|
| |
|
