We continue to show up for our patients to provide exceptional care, in our leadership roles to support the profession, in our educational roles to support students and grow more midwives, in our research to elevate our knowledge, and in all the other ways midwives make a difference. We are banding togetherto fight inequities and racism like never before – all despite the current pandemic. We don’t stop. Many of us are busier than ever. We are challenged and at times stressed, scared, and angry. I have never been prouder to be a midwife, to be a part of this profession, and to be involved in ACNM.
Let’s take time to celebrate all the Region V midwives recognized this year for their outstanding contributions to midwifery!
• Outstanding Preceptors: Jessica Tischler, MSN, CNM, APNP (Marquette University), Brie Zilhardt, DNP, APRN, CNM (University of Minnesota)
• Teaching Excellence: Krysta Ramirez Henry, MS, APRN, CNM (University of Kansas), Carrie Neerland, PhD, APRN, CNM, FACNM (University of Minnesota)
• Student Awards
» Varney Foundation Leaders: Rebekah Dunlap, SNM (University of Minnesota)
» Midwives of Color-Watson Scholarship: Rebekah Dunlap, SNM (University of Minnesota)
• Midwifery Legacies Project 20th Century Student Interview Awards
» 1st Place: Larissa Jarvis, SNM, University of Minnesota (Interview: Ruth Marie Wingeier, CNM)
» Honorable Mention: Brooke Rody, SNM, Frontier Nursing University (Interview: Ann Rabie, CNM)
• Exemplary Affiliate Award: ACNM Nebraska Affiliate – This affiliate has not stopped working with legislators on strategies to remove midwifery practice restrictions in Nebraska. Keep fighting!
• ACNM Fellows
» Diane Bohn, CNM, PhD: Founder of the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative at an Indian Health Service clinic, awarded the 2019 Bemidji Area Directors Award for Excellence, past chair of the ACNM Ad Hoc Committee on Violence Against Women, and past president of the Nursing Network on Violence Against Women, International
» Jennifer M. Demma, CNM, MS: Clinical Practice Director at the Family Tree Clinic in St. Paul, Minnesota, providing sex positive reproductive and sexual health care with a focus on serving LGBTQIA2S+individuals, faculty member in nursing and midwifery education and past Clinical Faculty Director of the Georgetown Midwifery/WHNP Program (2012-2015) and chair of the ACNM Gender Equity Task Force since 2018.
Finally, the ACNM Foundation awarded three Dorothea M. Lang Pioneer Awards at the 2020 ACNM Annual Meeting in May. Margaret Taylor, CNM, MSN, FACNM from Minnesota was honored for her 34-year career pioneering successes that included founding three midwifery services. She implemented full scope practice with independent admitting and full medical staff (VOTING!) privileges and midwifery supported VBAC services at two of the largest healthcare systems in MN – over 20 years ago! The midwives of Minnesota and ACNM thank you for your amazing contributions to our profession.
Region V Representative