Share your story: What does midwifery mean to you? What would you like to be celebrated in the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife?
I, Tamika Julien DNP, CNM, WHNP-BC, CLC, am the newest member of the Yale School of Nursing midwifery faculty practice, sharing my expertise with students in the midwifery/WHNP and GEPN programs as lecturer and caring for the underserved population at the Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center, a federally qualified health center in New Haven and the Vidone Birthing Center at Saint Raphael campus of Yale New Haven Hospital.
As a midwife of color, I believe it is vital for students to learn in a culturally diverse educational setting which is representative to their experience of caring for underserved communities. It’s important for students to be able to see themselves and their communities reflected in their learning environment in order to feel safe, recognized, and valued. Students should feel a sense of belonging within their institution which promotes academic success.
I am elated to join the YSN midwifery faculty practice where I add to the diversification of the faculty board and serve as representation to students of color. Yale has made many strides towards promoting equity, social justice, diversity, and inclusion, and I acknowledge and embrace that I am a part of it!
Tell us about your background: Which midwifery education program did you attend or are currently attending? What are your areas of specialty? Who mentored you along the way in your career? What inspired you to become a midwife?
I graduated from Buffalo University with my bachelor’s and master’s in nursing specializing in Women’s Health. I then continued my education with a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree at Stony Brook University certifying in Nurse-Midwifery, and received the Advanced Education Nursing Traineeship (AENT) grant. I am grateful for Mrs. Elaine Brown, WHNP and Heather Findletar-Hines, DNP, CNM who served as my mentors throughout my education and career. My research interests include promoting and improving breastfeeding rates, prevention of maternal mortality among minority women, and identifying barriers to and improving postpartum care.
Connect with Tamika
LinkedIn: Tamika Julien DNP, CNM, WHNP-BC, CLC
