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Message from the President
Dear Community,
2024, here we go! The holidays were fun, but I’m ready to take out that dead tree, clean up the ornaments and wrapping paper, and get started on my New Year’s resolutions. This year I’ve resolved to precept more midwifery students, expand my scope to include menopause care, and offer at least 3-4 more abortion trainings… But at the top of my list is welcoming and onboarding our new CNMA leadership! Join me in cheering them on as they learn the ropes.
President-Elect: Amita Graham, Amita Graham, MSN, MPH, CNM, WHNP, IBCLC
Secretary: Laura Sheperis, CM, RN
Northern California Representative: Lori Link, CNM, MSN
Representative from Under-Represented Group: Katiana Carey-Simms MSN, CNM, WHNP, BSN, RN
Alright, I’m off to the gym to burn off a few of those holiday calories…
Stay healthy, warm, and joyful, and as always, I’m available by email at parisbury@gmail.com and by text at (805) 415-2553.
In the spirit of service and solidarity,
Paris Maloof-Bury, CNM, IBCLC
President, California Nurse-Midwives Association
Health Policy Updates
Welcome to 2024 Health Policy!
It’s a whole new legislative session in Sacramento!
We are excited to continue our work to expand access to midwives in California. This includes ensuring that:
community midwifery can thrive in California;
reimbursement and payment reform reflect the intensive work that midwives do;
hospitals grant independent admitting and discharge privileges to CNMs consistent with California law;
safe abortion care and patient-centered reproductive health care is available for everyone,
the administrative and policy barriers that restrict midwifery are eradicated;
the midwifery education pipeline is sustained and expanded in innovative ways, including with a focus on growing a more diverse workforce;
we grow our relationships and collaborations with organizations doing this work alongside us;
we educate stakeholders on how access to the midwifery model of care improves birth outcomes and reduces racism-based disparities and geographic disparities;
we continue to work with you and your organizations on the specific issues that impact your ability to give the highest level of midwifery care.
CNMA Town Hall with Q&A
February 7, 2024 at 6:30pm: "SB 667: What the New Law Means for CNMs in California."
Description: SB 667 passed in 2023. If you'd like to attend this meeting to learn more about how this law affects CNMs and CNM scope of practice in California, please register here: www.tinyURL.com/WebinarSB667
Space is limited. This meeting will be recorded.
Important Survey for all CNMA Members
Dr. Sylvia Guendelman is the Professor Emeritus at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, former Chair of the MCH program and founder of the Wallace Center for MCAH at UC Berkeley. Sylvia is surveying postpartum practices among obstetric providers in California who treat patients in the postpartum period. The survey is currently live, open until the middle of January, and anonymous. Don't hesitate to share with your colleagues! This work will be used to give feedback to ACOG regarding postpartum recommendations, inform the work in creating a new Birthing Pathway for Medi-Cal pregnancy continuum redesign , and to be part of the published literature to influence policy. The survey has just been expanded for use with midwives and Family Medicine physicians who treat people in the postpartum period and CNMA has been asked to distribute it. Let's give a strong midwifery showing for the results! Cover letter and survey can be found here:
CNMF Announcement: 2023 Rebekah Kaplan Legacy BIPOC Scholarship Fund
In remembrance of Rebekah Kaplan, CNM, the California Nurse-Midwives Foundation incites your generous support for the third year of the Rebekah Kaplan Legacy BIPOC Scholarship Fund.
In late 2021, the midwifery community mourned the loss of Rebekah, an extraordinary mentor and leader. Her gentle, patient spirit left an indelible mark on countless midwifery students, patients, and families. With the endorsement of Rebekah’s family, the Foundation continues this annual fund, ensuring her remarkable legacy remains vivid within our community. In the words of her husband: “Please focus on the fact that we had a sage, badass, prescient and solidify grounded being in our midst. Rebekah was the greatest of gifts, and taking her spirit and legacy forward is our family’s greatest wish for you." Your contributions help us honor Rebekah’s memory by supporting students from under- represented communities as they pursue their midwifery journey. All proceeds directly aid these students in overcoming financial barriers.
We’ve allocated over $30,000 in funds to assist numerous students, making a tangible impact on their midwifery education. Let’s come together once again to empower the future leaders of midwifery. Please donate here!
Volunteers Needed!!
Are you either a midwife who has a history of, or are currently, precepting midwife students, or a midwife administrator or lead midwife?
The California Nurse-Midwives Association (CNMA) would like your help to better understand the barriers and facilitators for midwives in the state of California.
Online interviews would last 60-90 minutes and would be confidential. In appreciation for your time and wisdom, we will be providing participants $75 compensation after completion of the interview. You must be based in California to participate, the study is active from 1/2024 to 12/2024. There is a small possibility researchers may reach out with follow-up questions, lasting no longer than 15-20 minutes.
If you are interested in participating, please fill out this google form: https://forms.gle/GiZTJBMbVYSYKxQi6
Feel free to share this call for research participants with your midwife friends and colleagues! If you have any questions, please contact Anya Rapaport (ana.rapaport@gmail.com), Wallis Adams (wallis.adams@csueastbay.edu), and/or Amara Miller (amara.miller@csueastbay.edu).
Please share the flier at your places of work if appropriate.
Education, Trainings, and Webinars
king yaa! and CNMA has partnered for CE courses!
Birthing Beyond the Binary
Jan 28 - April 14, 2024 | Sundays, 10am-12:15pm PT / 1pm - 3:15pm ET | Zoom
Creating dignified, liberatory & decolonial reproductive spaces for queer, trans & non-binary folx.
This 12-week course expands on the definition of reproductive justice to include queer, trans and non-binary folx and the intersections of race, disability, ageism, decoloniality and more.
It is a radical invitation to slow down, learn, unlearn and plan for intentional and consistent changes in your practice. The course is a mix of live courses and self paced modules. Each module consists of videos, reading materials, assignments and journal prompts. The assignments are personally reviewed by king yaa and they push you to be actionable in your thinking. Each participant is encouraged to connect with an accountability partner(s) for further exploration of each topic, should they choose. By the end of this course, you will have concrete steps on how to center Queer Reproductive Justice in your life and practice.
A one-time investment: $749, payment plans available
Register Here.
Queering Up The Reproductive Space
February 9- 10, 2024 | Sundays, 8am-5pm PT / 1pm - 3:15pm ET | Zoom
Are you ready to move beyond performative gestures and embrace a justice-informed approach to caring for marginalized communities at the intersections of identity? king yaa, also known as queer birthworker, has developed a 2 day intensive certification training for midwives, nurses, physicians, social workers, mental health providers, childbirth professionals, social support providers, and anyone interested in reproductive health and reproductive justice for all people.
Register Here.
Save The Date! Transforming White Privilege: On The Path To Racial Equity in Maternity Care- A workshop series on Zoom for self-identifying White Midwives
February 2 - March 12, 2024 | Tuesdays 10:00 - 12:30 PST. See detailed flyer below. To register, please email a paragraph expressing your interest and motivation for taking this course to facilitators at transformingprivilege@gmail.com.
Ultrasound for Women's Health Providers
Speaker: Carolyn L. Gegor, CNM, MS, FACNM (co-author co-author and editor of Varney’s Midwifery)
Are you looking for hands-on education?
This in-person course is for the women’s health provider who: does very limited scans (find the head, look for the heartbeat) but wants to learn to do more has learned to scan “on the job” but wants to have more formal education**wants to take the new midwifery certification exam, but does not feel prepared**wants to be able to bill for performing and interpreting scans **ANY midwife who wants to expand their scope of practice to include ultrasound and wants both lecture and hands-on experience together.
We have one & two day hands-on scanning tickets available for:
March 14-17 Farmington Birth Center, Farmington MI
May 23-26 Farmington Birth Center, Farmington MI
July 18-21 Farmington Birth Center, Farmington MI
Sept 12-15 Farmington Birth Center, Farmington MI
Oct 24-27 The Midwife Center, Pittsburgh PA
Nov 7-10 Farmington Birth Center, Farmington MI Register Here
ACNM First Assist Workshops
ACNM has a full schedule of The Midwife as Surgical First Assistant (First Assist) Virtual Clinical Labs available in 2023! First Assist focuses on training midwives to participate and provide continuity of care for patients during a cesarean section.
The First Assist Virtual Clinical Labs fill up fast, so be sure to Register for the date you need NOW!
Tuesday, February 27 (10:00am - 3:00pm ET) - Registration closes on Monday, Feb. 5
Tuesday, March 26 (10:00am - 3:00pm ET) - Registration closes on Monday, March 4
Tuesday, April 23 (10:00am - 3:00pm ET) - Registration closes on Monday, April 1
Tuesday, May 21 (10:00am - 3:00pm ET) - Registration closes on April 29
Tuesday, June 25 (10:00am - 3:00pm ET) - Registration closes on May 27
Tuesday, July 23 (10:00am - 3:00pm ET) - Registration closes on July 1
ACNM Wants to Listen to YOU! CEO Conversations Every Wednesday at 4 PM ET
Michelle Munroe, our CEO, is hosting weekly online meetings with members to listen and discuss ideas and concerns. Each week, 10 people can register for CEO Conversations. Please email executiveoffice@acnm.org.
SAVE THE Date! 2024 AWHONN Convention
June 7-11, 2024| Phoenix, AZ “Recharged, Confident, and a Leader for My Team”
The AWHONN Convention is the ultimate meet-up for nurses caring for newborns and their families. What makes the Convention one of a kind is the feeling you’ll walk away with after you’ve spent time with your community. Tap into a live event that not only helps you achieve your professional development goals but also offers you the unique opportunity to participate in an experience you can only get in person. Register now and get ready to thrive at #AWHONN2024.
*Call for Poster Presentations for 2024 AWHONN Conference
Please complete this form by January 15, 2024 as your submission of a poster to AWHONN CA Section Conference. Your acceptance will be notified by January 26, 2024.
*Scholarship Available!
Through the generous support of AWHONN’s charitable giving program, Every Woman, Every Baby, AWHONN is offering up to 50 Convention Scholarships for members to attend #AWHONN2024. Members experiencing financial hardship and members of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. All applicants must complete the application form and agree to the terms by January 31, 2024, 5 pm EST to be eligible. Visit the AWHONN website for more details and to apply.
Postpartum Support International: The 37th Annual Postpartum Support International Conference is accepting poster and breakout proposals
July 24- July 28 | Washington, D.C
The Annual Conference will be held in Washington, D.C., July 24 - July 28, 2024. Due to the professional diversity of PSI membership and conference attendees, we welcome presentations with scientific data as well as those addressing clinical expertise or community projects. Both didactic and experiential proposals for breakouts will be accepted, in addition to the poster submissions. The Program Committee is especially interested in proposals on the topics of: Perinatal Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Integrated Care and Systems, Families & Parenting Partners, Peer Support and Advocacy. The deadline to submit a poster and/or breakout is Wednesday, January 3, 2024. Submission Guide here and website for more information.
2024 Maternal Mental Health Forum -A Virtual Conference and Networking Event, March 19-20, 2024 - Policy Center
The Maternal Mental Health (MMH) FORUM is where cross-sector change agents convene, take in cutting-edge and critical content, and network with colleagues who are also working to close gaps in maternal mental health.
We will take a deep dive into:
Latina MMH (including the release of a Policy Center fact sheet)
OB integration and payment reform
Rising rates of Maternal SUD
The latest in MD Education
Black MMH
The Federal Government’s progress in addressing MMH
Two featured states taking “Large Leaps” for MMH
The powerful role of the media
Annual updates on federal policy and research
The Federal Government’s response and resources, including the
CMS postpartum care toolkit
MMH Taskforce and more
Emerging treatments, including Ketamine and FDA-approved digital therapeutics
Philanthropic strategies and more!
Register here online for an early bird discount of $60.
Job Opportunities
Per Diem CNM, Sutter Women’s Health, Davis, CA (Birthing Center Only)
Sutter Women's Health in Davis is seeking a certified nurse-midwife to join us in a per diem role in an award-winning and nationally recognized collaborative practice working in the community hospital setting. Sutter Davis Hospital has a Level 1 nursery and offers a full spectrum of labor and delivery options, including low-intervention birth, TOLAC/VBAC, hydrotherapy/water birth, nitrous oxide, anesthesia, and a volunteer doula service. The hospital is expanding, and we are excited to grow our practice to meet our community's needs. This full-scope position includes obstetrics, family planning, simple gynecology, and group prenatal care. Additional highly desirable skills: maternal mental health, first and third-trimester limited OB ultrasound, cesarean first assist, leadership, support of physiologic labor and birth, and experience with LARC family planning methods.
Nationally recognized by the American College of Nurse-Midwives for Best Practice for our low epidural rate
Maternity Care Honor Roll recognition for excellent outcomes
Cesarean section rate among the lowest in the state
Full range of birthing options, including everything from water birth to epidural
Apply Here.
FULL TIME CNM, Sutter Women’s Health, Davis, CA
Sutter Women's Health in Davis is seeking a certified nurse-midwife to join us in an award-winning and nationally recognized collaborative practice working in the office and community hospital setting. Sutter Davis Hospital has a Level 1 nursery and offers a full spectrum of labor and delivery options, including low-intervention birth, TOLAC/VBAC, hydrotherapy/water birth, nitrous oxide, anesthesia, and a volunteer doula service. The hospital is expanding, and we are excited to grow our practice to meet our community's needs. This full-scope position includes obstetrics, family planning, simple gynecology, and group prenatal care. Additional highly desirable skills: maternal mental health, first and third-trimester limited OB ultrasound, cesarean first assist, leadership, support of physiologic labor and birth, and experience with LARC family planning methods.
Nationally recognized by the American College of Nurse-Midwives for Best Practice for our low epidural rate
Maternity Care Honor Roll recognition for excellent outcomes
Cesarean section rate among the lowest in the state
Full range of birthing options, including everything from water birth to epidural
Apply here!
Medi-Cal Rx
Sign up for the Medi-Cal Rx Subscription Service to be notified when new information is posted!
See additional updates below:
Midwife Crush Mondays!
Do you know an amazing Midwife who is doing revolutionary work? We want to feature them on our social media platforms!
CNMA is looking for submissions for our new social media series “Midwife Crush Monday” where we highlight the stories of trailblazing midwives across the industry who are making a difference in the midwifery profession. You can even submit yourself!
Here’s what we’re looking for:
Midwife’s name (include pronouns)
Affiliated organization(s)
Why you became a midwife (and anything awesome you’d like to brag about)
Headshot/Photo if available
Bonus: Please include social media handles for tagging!
Please send submissions to sm@cnma.org for consideration!