ACNM Activities
National: Chair ACNM Bylaws Committee, 2007-present; Board of the ACNM Foundation, 2007-present; Chair, Ad Hoc Committee on Restructuring ACNM, 2002-2003; Peer Reviewer, Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health, 2002-present; Issue Co-Editor Liability/Risk Management V50:6, 2005; Issue Editor Infectious Diseases 5-6/2008; Chair, Division of Standards and Practice, 1995-2002; Contributor, Guide to Peer Review in Nurse-Midwifery, 1994; Clinical Practice Committee, Member 1989-1994, Chair 1994-1995; Ad Hoc Peer Review Committee, Member 1989-1994;  Region I Representative, ACNM Board of Directors, 1989-1990.

Local: Member, District of Columbia Chapter, 1984 – 1993; Member, Maryland Chapter, 1994-present; Member, District of Columbia Chapter Chair, 1986-1988; Nominating Committee, 1989-1991; Peer Review Committee, 1989-1994.

Candidate Statement Related to Office:

I have been a midwife for 25 years.  During that time, I have had the good fortune to practice in both public and private settings, to teach and precept, and to be active in the work of the college.  I currently have a full scope clinical practice as the Director of Midwifery in an academic medical center. Being a midwife is far more complex than I thought it would be as a new graduate, full of idealism and eager to change women’s lives.
 

Professional liability, quality improvement, patient safety, financial management, and many other issues shape our ability to practice effectively.  When they have a negative impact, they can make our work with women challenging, and wear away at the social contract that is the basis of midwifery care - care that is safe and effective, as well as satisfying. But they are also opportunities for us to gain visibility, to move to the center of the health care policy agenda, and to become integrated into the essential health care services every woman deserves.

ACNM’s leadership, and especially the president, has major responsibility for integrating midwifery into the health agenda of the country, and ensuring that we are there as midwives.  This year’s transition to adding a President-Elect is an opportunity for ACNM to strengthen our leadership by smoothing the learning curve that leads to the presidency.  I would be honored to have the opportunity to serve midwifery and the ACNM in this role.

ACNM activities:

National: Member, ACNM Region I, Peer Review Committee, 1990-1994; Member, ACNM Education Committee, 1995-1998;  Member, ACNM Division of Research Board of Governors, 1998-2006; Associate Editor, The Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health, 2000-present; Section Chair, ACNM Division of Research International Section, 2000-2003; Vice Chair, ACNM Division of Research, 2000-2003; Coordinator, ACNM Division of Research Evidence-based practice, 2003-2005;Chair, ACNM Division of Research, 2003-2006; Member Optimality Index-US Working Group, Division of Research, 2003-present;Representative to the International Confederation of Midwives Research Standing Committee,  2001-present; Co-Chair, International Confederation of Midwives Research Standing Committee, 2002-present; Representative to the International Confederation of Midwives Scientific Program Planning Committee, 2008Triennial Congress, 2006-2008;Member, Search Committee, ACNM Executive Director, 2006-2007.

Local: Member, Rhode Island Chapter, 1990-2001; Treasurer, Rhode Island Chapter, 1990-1994

Candidate Statement Related to Office:
I am a midwife passionately committed to the profession and the women it serves. If chosen as ACNM President (Elect) I will use my passion and leadership to place midwifery as a forerunner of women’s health care. Early in my career I discovered change comes from solution-based action – and to effect change I had to work “with” people to achieve collective agreement about the road forward. This has shaped my collaboration with all stakeholders in clinical practice, teaching, research, and leadership. The philosophy has served me as a midwife, family nurse practitioner, educator, scientist/researcher, military officer, policymaker/administrator, and leader. It has helped me be successful in numerous settings – tertiary, community, and military hospitals, health maintenance organizations, urban and rural heath centers, professional organizations, and US/European academic institutions. This breadth of experience has given me an exceptional skill set to work with people from diverse backgrounds, but who hold common goals with midwifery – the health of women and their families.

My career has heightened my awareness of the importance of local grassroots activism to assure legal mandates to support the profession and women’s health. Membership on local, national, and international committees and the RI Board of Midwifery has helped me understand the daunting obstacles midwives face. My commitment to local advocacy for midwifery and women’s health was recognized by the ACNM Regional Award of Excellence – an honor I hold dear because it came from my colleagues in the trenches with me.

One of my most important professional contributions is my research, which articulates and links the work of midwives to healthcare outcomes. As Chair of the ACNM Division of Research I helped forge a partnership with MANA to establish scientific evidence supportive of our work. As a 2008 Fulbright Distinguished Scholar I conducted research on England’s national commitment to normal birth. Those powerful lessons will be instrumental in my future leadership, teaching, practice, and research to address the challenges we face in the US.

As President (Elect) of the ACNM I will work on our proposed “Future Focus” goals with the ACNM Board and ask each ACNM member to join me in that effort: (a) create strategic communication detailing the value of midwifery care in the US and globally – we must systematically reverse the US culture of fear and ignorance to build public and political support of midwifery; (b) attend 20% of all births by 2020 – visibility through birth attendance is key to professional and economic survival; (c) full autonomy for CNMs/CMs in practice and equitable reimbursement – we must work together on local and national levels to change policy and laws; (d) 1000 new CNMs/CMs annually – every one of us must commit to our students. None of the goals are possible without a critical mass of midwives. The road forward requires political and personal savvy, enlistment of expertise and resources, and leadership. I believe I am prepared for the challenges I will face and through the spirit of cooperation we will have the momentum to assure women’s right to health care excellence led by midwives. I am honored to be a candidate for President (Elect) of the ACNM.

ACNM activities:

National: DOME member, 2003 to present, DOME secretary, 2008 to present. Recipient of Regional Award of Excellence, 2001; Recipient of Excellence in Teaching Award, 2005.

Local: Chair, Indiana Chapter, 2005-2008; Lead the annual Blankets for Babies® Campaign at University of Indianapolis during National Midwifery Week, 2004-2008

ACNM activities:
National: Region IV Representative to the Board of Directors, 2006-present; Chair, Division of Standards and Practice(DOSP), 2002-2006; Chair Quality Management Section of DOSP, 1995-2001; Chair, Service Directors Network, 1985-1990;  Program Committee Member, 1985-1990; National Precertification Committee, 1990-1995.

Local:  Chair, Chapter 7 Region 4 1992-1994; Chair, Peer Review Committee, 1986-1990; Chair, Local Program Committee 1984-1987; Secretary, Chapter 7, 1984-1987.

Candidate Statement related to office
As the current BOD representative for region 4, I feel that I am very knowledgeable about the issues affecting our region as well as those effecting the profession nationally.  I would like to continue working for the profession of midwifery and for the region 4 members of ACNM.  I am in active, full scope practice so I truly understand all the issues affecting us and the women we serve.  I have built relationships with many of the members in the region that I would like to continue to develop.  I feel that my work is not finished and I am willing and able to give the needed time to the BOD for another 3 years. 

ACNM Activities:

National:  Peer reviewer for the Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health: 2005 – Present.

Local:  Member- Wisconsin Chapter of ACNM,1991 to present; Vice Chair, Wisconsin Chapter, 2004 - 2006;  Secretary, Wisconsin Chapter, 1997 – 2001; Chair of Legislative Committee, Wisconsin Chapter, 1996 to present; Chapter Chair of the Wisconsin Chapter, 2006 to Present.

Candidate Statement related to office:

The outlook for the future of CNMs and CMs should be bright.  We offer high quality maternity care with documented evidence of cost effectiveness and excellent outcomes to a health care system in desperate need of reform. However, CNMs and CMs are faced with several barriers to the expansion of midwifery practice in the US. Foremost among those barriers are state practice acts that diminish the ability of CNMs/CMs to practice independently, including provisions that require “permission to practice” from physician groups.  For example, licensure requirements in many states still require a written agreement with a physician as a condition of practice for CNMs and CMs.   We have truly come a long way in the last decade with prescriptive authority granted in all 50 states, and with the removal of statutory requirements for physician supervision in most states.  However, until CNMs and CMs are granted state licensure as the independent practitioners we are educated and nationally certified to be, our ability to practice will continue to be influenced, if not controlled, by physician groups.

Achieving fully independent practitioner status under state law is just the beginning. The lack of public awareness about CNM/CM practice and an insufficient number of CNMs/CMs to meet the demand for high quality maternity services represent additional key barriers that must be addressed. Fortunately, ACNM leadership has recognized the importance of overcoming these barriers and is taking steps to address them.

As chair of the Wisconsin Chapter’s legislative committee, and more recently as Chapter Chair, I have gained invaluable experience participating in the legislative process. In 2002 the Wisconsin Chapter was successful in removing the statutory requirement for physician supervision, and we are currently working to update our practice act to remove the statutory requirement for a written agreement with a physician.  As the Region IV Representative I hope to share lessons learned in the Capitol with Chapters in the region who are attempting to address similar legislative issues.  Many state Chapters have experienced legislative successes, and we must share the lessons learned along the way to move us toward independent practice in all 50 states. I would also like to work with ACNM leadership to develop a campaign to increase public awareness regarding CNMs and CMs, and to establish a plan to increase enrollment in all CNM/CM education programs.  We have a great product and the evidence that supports the effectiveness of CNM/CM care.  I look forward to the opportunity to work with Chapters in Region IV to get that word out to policy-makers and the general public.

ACNM Activities:

Local :  Chair, NE ACNM Chapter Chair 2004-2005 &  Legislative 2002-2005. 

ACNM Activities:

National:  Since the mid 90’s my participation has been focused on meeting continuing education/continuing competency requirements, reading professional publications, attending meetings and providing financial support.  I am now in a position to become more active in ACNM activities.

Candidate Statement related to office 

Both midwifery and the law can be very labor intensive professions.  For the past 15 years, as I have focused on criminal prosecution, my involvement in midwifery has been trying to keep up.  Trying to keep up with midwifery in New Mexico, nationally and internationally -- sounds like a good part of the job of being a regional representative!
  

The relationship and communication between midwives at the state and national levels is vital to the continued progress of women’s health and the midwifery profession.   In the past, I have been active in ACNM in various capacities on the national and local level, and despite the good work of ACNM staff, much of the work on both levels continue to be done by member volunteers.  As regional representative, I would not only try to find out what the issues are, but also try to increase member participation in solving these issues to whatever  degree each member can manage at their stage of personal and professional life.

I have observed an ebb and flow in various aspects of personal and organizational life -- active and passive, collaboration and competition, good times and crises.  For better or ill, there are very few entirely new things under the sun. -- too few students, too few jobs; relationships with doctors, nurses, other midwives;  the competing demands of education, practice and  research -- to name but a few.  In time of transition, e.g. adapting to the new bylaws, it can help to have a long view that adds a different perspective to current challenges. I would be one to add that perspective to the ACNM Board. 

Lastly, while new technologies facilitate nearly face-to-face interaction so that distance is no longer a barrier, we should not forget the technologically isolated or challenged.  I personally was quite disconcerted to find a web problem when I went to vote on the new bylaws that kept me from voting.  I have also run into some problems with the e-mail format for submitting candidate documents.  While the fact that I can do it goes to show that anyone one can, snail mail and hard copy issues of Quickening, books etc. are still preferred, if not essential, formats for some members.  As regional representative, I would see this as one aspect of celebrating and maintaining a diverse membership.

Candidates for Nominating Committe

Jennifer Hensley, CNM, WHNP, LCCE, EdD

Present Position/Title:
Assistant Professor, University of Colorado Denver in the College of Nursing and the Program Director for Nurse-Midwifery. She graduated from the University of Southern California nurse-midwifery educational program in 1984. She has practiced in California, Montana and Colorado.

ACNM Activities:
Local:  ACNM Region V-Chapter 3 (Denver) Chapter Chair, 2006-present; Member on the Chapter's Marketing, Membership, Research, Legislative and Executive Committees. She worked to unite the CNMs of Colorado via email and a statewide website (www.nursemidwivesofcolorado.org) to prepare for sunset of the Nurse Practice Act in 2009. As Chapter Chair and Program Director of the Nurse-Midwifery program she has been able to network across the state.

National:
ACNM Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (formerly the DOA), site visitor, 2004-2008; Member of the Board of Review, 2008; Reviewer for the Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health; Serves on the DNP Task Force of the Division of Education.

Back to top

Candidates for Nominating Committe

Diana R. Caplan Jolles, CNM, MSN

Present Position/Title:  General Director, Family Health and Birth Center, Washington DC

ACNM Activities
Local: Chair Region V Chapter VIII, Vice Chair Region Region IV Chapter XII

National: Clinical Faculty Texas A&M, Corpus Christi Texas;  ACNM Foundation Vice President

Statement related to Office:

I am eager to participate in the work of the nominating committee because having a well-built team of leaders representing our field is the key to achieving our potential over the next 10 years.  The face of our leaders today needs to represent the diversity we hope to achieve within the college in 10 years, not the diversity among us now.  Increasing diversity (racial, ethnic, age, sex, practice setting, geographic location, etc.) will enable us accomplish our goal of increasing visibility and consumer demand. Ensuring that we maintain a renewable leadership circle capturing all of the energy, enthusiasm and hopefulness of our youngest generation while coupling it with our solid base of wise, experienced, seasoned leaders is the challenge that we must face to secure our future.  Increasing visibility, market share, building collaborative bridges, decreasing barriers to practice, increasing political alliances, research and dissemination, will only be made possible with a thoughtful blend of intergenerational, multicultural midwifery leaders.  I have had the good fortune of working with several innovative services during my career and am in the unique position to pass forward recommendations and nominations.  Having worked with several hundred midwifery students, fellows and a handful of founding midwives, I would like to help blend a leadership team which represents the next generation of midwife and the priceless wisdom of the generation currently retiring. 

Back to top

Candidates for Nominating Committe

Mavis Schorn, CNM, PhD

Present Position/Title:
Assistant Professor, Program Director, Nurse-Midwifery, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, 2006-present

ACNM Activities:
Local:  Member, American College of Nurse-Midwives Tennessee Chapter (Region 3, Chapter 6), 2002-present ; Nomination committee, 2006; Bylaws committee, 2003-2004;
Tennessee Nurses Association, 2004-present; Member, Consortium of Texas Certified Nurse - Midwives (CTCNM), 1990-2002; Secretary 1991 – 1993; Vice-Chair 2000 – 2002; American College of Nurse-Midwives Region V, Chapter 9 (East Texas), Chair 1994 – 1996.

National:  HRSA Grant Reviewer; 2008-present;  ACNM Division of Accreditation Site Visitor, 2007-present; Member, American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), 1990-present;
ACNM Division of Research, Resources and Information Committee, Member (approved position), 1991 – 1994.

Statement Related to Office: Nominating Committee Member

As a CNM and member of ACNM since 1990, the importance of removing barriers to midwifery care through health policy, reimbursement, and public education has never been greater. I witness daily the passion of the new generation of midwives and their desire to provide comprehensive care to all women regardless of location or level of need. I am committed to the continuation of teaching but realize that more must be done. The geographical areas most in need of CNM/CM care, often have the greatest barriers to practice. A goal of a nominating committee is to find potential officers who are most able and interested in working towards the future while representing the diverse membership of ACNM. I have lived and practiced in Texas and Tennessee. In Texas I participated on the local and state level through the ACNM chapter and Consortium of Texas Certified Nurse-Midwives. The last six years I have practiced and taught in Tennessee at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (VUSN). I am currently the nurse-midwifery program director and have taught graduates who practice across the United States and overseas. My interaction with other academic programs, preceptors, and Vanderbilt alumni affords me access to a wide network of midwives which is of benefit to a nominating committee member.

Back to top