History of the Fellows' Talk 2009-2018

History of the Fellows' Talk 2009-2023

May 2023: The Fellows' Talk: Finding Voice, Implementing Change

Moderators: Alexis Dunn Amore, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN and Heather Bradford, PhD, CNM, FACNM

Panelists: Nikia Grayson, DNP, MPH, CNM, FNP-C, Stephanie Tillman, CNM, FACNM, Lucinda Canty, PhD, CNM, FACNM

Abstract:

Many midwives have taken an idea from vision to implementation and effected a dramatic improvement in the delivery of reproductive and gynecologic care through innovative pathways. What did it take to get there? This session will highlight three midwives who, through their dynamic innovation and determination, have advanced midwifery and improved the delivery of health care and health outcomes. Nikia Grayson’s implementation of feminist methodology and reproductive justice principles has transformed her clinic into a model of excellence. Choices is a safe space created by and for underserved and marginalized communities in Memphis, TN. Stephanie Tillman blogs under the name Feminist Midwife, and through that platform and other venues, seeks to interact with health care providers and consumers in conversations about consent in health provision, queer care, sex positivity, nurses and advanced practice clinicians in abortion care, and trauma-informed frameworks. Lucinda Canty created Lucinda’s House, which was developed to create environments where women of color feel safe, and supported, and can become an active part in eliminating structural barriers to improve their overall health and well-being. Her research focuses on creating safe spaces for Black women in healthcare and addressing racism in nursing and healthcare.

May 2022: The Fellows' Talk: Taking it to the Next Level - Going Beyond Talk to Action

Moderator: Pandora Hardtman, DNP, CNM, FACNM, FAAN

Panelists: Alexis Dunn Amore, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN Heather Findletar Hines, DNP, CNM, FACNM, Lisa Noguchi, PhD, CNM, FACNM

Abstract:

This Fellows Talk is a follow-up to last year's virtual panel discussion, with Fellows from historically-marginalized groups discussing their intimate experience of their lived journey through ACNM membership and their pathway to Fellowship. The purpose of this year's discussion is a call to expand from talk to actionable steps that present and future midwives of all identities can utilize in their own journey to fellowship.

May 2021: The Fellows' Talk: Beyond the Light of Day - Addressing Racism in ACNM Fellowship

Moderator: Suzanne Wertman, CNM, MSN, FACNM

Panelists: Sascha James-Conterelli, DNP, CNM, LM, FACNM, Kim Dau, CNM, FACNM, Alexis "Lexi" Dunn Amore, PhD, CNM, FACNM

Abstract:

The ACNM Fellows Board of Governors have made a commitment to tell the truth about our history of racism in midwifery and the path to Fellowship, and move toward reconciliation with our actions. The presenters see the Fellows Talk as a vehicle to support the beginnings of the process of truth and reconciliation through presentation of factual history of racism in midwifery and ACNM, individual stories, and next steps to removing structural and systemic racist barriers to becoming a Fellow. This is an ongoing process, and and the presentation will include lessons learned and opportunities for change. The material presented in this session will have implications for every aspect of life as a midwife but in particular leadership in the profession, in ACNM, and ACNM Fellowship.

May 2020: The Fellows' Talk: Midwives Mentoring Midwives

Moderators: Heather Bradford, CNM, ARNP, FACNM

Panelists: Ginger Breedlove, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, Yuliya Labko, MSN, CNM, Heather Hines, CNM, DNP, FACNM, Amber Peasley, CNM, FNP

Abstract:

Many challenges in midwifery advancement exist within the practice and professional environment, such as bullying in the workplace, barriers to autonomous practice, lack of diversity in leadership, and uncertainty as to how to attain leadership positions within ACNM. Although one to one mentoring in professional leadership development is different than mentoring midwives’ entrée into practice, principles that lead to successful mentoring are similar. The Fellows of ACNM recently initiated a formal mentorship program in conjunction with the Students and New Midwives Committee, offering a mentorship program between Fellows and midwifery students and new midwives. Panel members will discuss successful mentoring strategies that play an important role in meeting mentee goals, developing mentee leadership skills and encouraging aspiration to leadership roles in the professional organization. Mentors will receive guidance on establishing and maintaining a satisfying mentor-mentee relationship. The focus of this session will be on providing skills for a successful relationship for both the mentor and mentee and is designed for all conference attendees, not just those seeking a mentor.

May 2019: The Fellows' Talk: Innovations in Midwifery Practice

Moderators: Heather Bradford, CNM, ARNP, FACNM, Mavis Schorn, CNM, PhD, CNE, FACNM

Panelists: Alice Bailes, CNM, MSN, FACNM, Marsha Jackson, CNM, MSN, FACNM, Ruth Watson Lubic, CNM, EdD, FAAN, FACNM, Sharon Schindler Rising, CNM, MSN, FACNM

Abstract:

Many midwives have taken an idea from vision to implementation and effected dramatic improvement in the delivery of health care for women and their families. What did it take to get there? This session will highlight five midwives who, through their dynamic innovation and determination, have improved maternal and child health outcomes through changing birth practices across the U.S. The Fellows Panel will include: Sharon Rising Shindler and the Centering Pregnancy prenatal care model; and Ruth Lubic, Marsha Jackson, and Alice Bailes and the use of birth centers to improve maternal and infant morbidity and mortality among low-income women. Strategies to overcome barriers to change will be identified to help inspire and generate more disruptive innovators in midwifery care.

May 2018: The Fellows' Talk: Midwives in Politics - Leaders Making Change

Moderators: Heather Bradford, CNM, ARNP, FACNM, Kate Harrod, PhD, CNM, APNP, FACNM

Panelists: Cheri Van Hoover, CNM, MS, FACNM and Debbie Jessup, CNM, PhD, FACNM

Abstract:

In today's health care climate, it is crucial for midwives to have a seat at the policy table in order to advocate for women and their families. With the goal of growing more politically-active midwives, two leaders in politics and political action, Cheri Van Hoover and Debbie Jessup, will share their career experiences, political motivations, and aspirations for change. Strategies to engage in political races and policy work will be reviewed. Debbie Jessup, CNM, PhD, FACNM has over 30 years of experience in midwifery, women's health and health policy. Since 2005, she has been employed as a Health Policy Advisor in the office of U.S. Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA). In that position, she has been actively engaged in health appropriations work as well as helping the Congresswoman to develop and pass several pieces of key health care legislation. Cheri Van Hoover, CNM, MS, is running in November 2017 for Jefferson County Hospital District Commissioner in Washington state. This is her first time seeking political office.

May 2017: The Fellows' Talk: Clinical Practice Outside the Box

Moderators: Heather Bradford, CNM, ARNP, FACNM, Kate Harrod, PhD, CNM, APNP, FACNM

Panelists: Elisabeth Howard, CNM, PhD, FACNM and Susan DeJoy, CNM, PhD, FACNM

Abstract: With increasing clinical practice demands and a greater emphasis on physiologic birth, maternity care providers are seeking new systems of care that focus on time efficiency, safety, and quality. These new systems include midwives as part of the solution. This panel of ACNM Fellows will highlight their alternative clinical roles that differ from traditional midwifery practice. These include: providing care to incarcerated women; the midwife role in obstetric triage; and functioning as a laborist/obstetric hospitalist. Panelists will discuss their challenges in program development as well as the effects of their clinical work on provider workload, patient satisfaction, and birth outcomes. Strategies and resources for development of these non-traditional clinical roles will be reviewed.

May 2016: The Fellows' Talk: Overcoming Adversity as a Midwife of Color

Moderators: Cindy Farley, CNM, PhD, FACNM and Heather Bradford, CNM, FACNM

Panelists: Maria Valentin-Welch DNP, CNM, MPH, FACNM, Nicolle Gonzales, CNM, MSN, and Carolyn Curtis, CNM, FACNM

Abstract: In order to enhance diversity and inclusion in the midwifery work force and foster social justice, we need to understand the challenges that midwives from various racial and ethnic backgrounds face in becoming midwives and in practicing midwifery. Our panel of ACNM Fellows from African-American and Latina cultures will share their trials and triumphs encountered during their midwifery careers. Strategies will be discussed to help grow the population of midwives of varying racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as help midwives and midwifery students better understand how they can promote racial equality and social justice in their workplace and communities they serve.

May 2015: The Fellows' Talk: Our History - Moments in Time!

Moderator: Jerri Hobdy, CNM, FACNM

Helen Varney Burst, CNM, MSN, DHL (Hon), FACNM and Joyce (Beebe) Thompson, DRPH, RN, CNM, FAAN, FACNM

Abstract: The purpose of this session is to have a panel of our Fellows who currently are writing the History of ACNM and who are Past Presidents of the ACNM who will bring stories of the College during different historical times over the past 60 years in Celebration of our 60th Anniversary. The panelist will speak about the significant twists and turns in the history of the ACNM and some of their own Personal Moments in Time. This session has been developed by the FACNM Mentoring Task Force in an effort to have a visible and active role in mentoring midwives.

2014: Abstract not accepted

June 2013: The Fellows' Talk: Making Choices in Your Early Years to Create a Long Midwifery Career!

Moderator: Jerri Hobdy, CNM, FACNM

Panelists: Francie Likis, DrPh, NP, CNM, FACNM;Heather Bradford, CNM, MSN, FACNM, Lisa Kane Low, PhD, RN, CNM, FACNM

Abstract: The purpose of this session is to have a panel of our newer/younger ACNM Fellows discuss their career choices and their experiences with trying to find balance in their professional and personal lives. The panel will bring stories from their journeys in midwifery - the good, the bad and the ugly - along with suggestions for how to plan early in your career to stay alive in midwifery throughout the years! This session has been developed by the FACNM Mentoring Task Force in an effort to have a visible and active role in mentoring midwives.

June 2012: The Fellows' Talk: Staying Alive in Midwifery Through the Years

Moderator: Jerri Hobdy, CNM, FACNM

Panelists: Elaine Diegmann, CNM, MEd, ND, FACNM; Heather Bradford, CNM, MSN, FACNM; Larraine Guyette, CNM, PhD, RN, FACNM

Abstract: The purpose of this session is to have a panel of ACNM Fellows, with senior/sage midwives and a young 'whippersnapper' winner of the Kitty Ernst award, to bring their experience and expertise in how to continue in your midwifery career through the years. They will tell their stories of their own experiences of their journey in midwifery; how to balance midwifery in their lives for a long career; and how to stay alive in midwifery from the perspective of 10+ years out to 35+ years! This session has been developed by the FACNM Mentoring Task Force in an effort to have a visible and active role in mentoring midwives. The panel will bring their stories - the good, the bad and the ugly for how to stay alive in midwifery throughout the years!

May 2011: The Fellows' Talk: Keeping the Vision. Following a Vision in Midwifery

Moderator: Jerri Hobdy, CNM, FACNM

Panelists: Ellen Craig, CNM, MS, FACNM; Sharon Schindler Rising, CNM, MSN, FACNM

Abstract: The purpose of this session is to have a panel of ACNM Fellows to bring their experience and expertise in how they found themselves in the situation of following a vision in midwifery, sometimes from an unexpected position when you just have to rise to the occasion! They will tell their stories of their own experiences for discussion of past and present issues, so that other midwives can use these experiences in their own work and in planning for future visions for midwifery. This session has been developed by the FACNM Mentoring Task Force in an effort to have a visible and active role in mentoring midwives. The panel will bring their stories - the good, the bad and the ugly. The Fellows panel includes expertise in the following: centering pregnancy, clinical practice innovations, midwifery history, midwifery education (starting an independent midwifery school associated with a school of science & health), research, publication, & contributions to ACNM at all levels.

June 2010: The Fellows' Talk: Our International Experience. What Can We Do To Help You.

Moderator: Jerri Hobdy, CNM, FACNM

Panelists: Joyce Thompson, DrPH, CNM, FAAN, FACNM; Sandra Buffington, CNM, PNP, BS, MPH, FACNM; Mary Ellen Stanton, MSN, CNM, FACNM.

May 2009: The Fellows' Talk: We've Been There and Done That! What Can We Do To Help You.

Moderator: Jerri Hobdy, CNM, FACNM

Panelists: Ruth Lubic, CNM, EdD, FAAN, FACNM; Sr. Angela Murdaugh, CNM, MS, FACNM; Marion McCartney, CNM, MS, FACNM; Holly Kennedy, CNM, FNP, PHD, FACNM, FAAN.

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