ACNM Activities

National:

ACNM Business Task Force (1998),  ACNM Division of Standards & Practice, Business Section Chair (2000-2002);  Member, Business Section (2000—2005); ACNM Publication: Getting Paid: Billing, Coding and Payment for Midwifery Service, 2nd & 3rd editions, Contributing Author; ACNM Teaching Module for Midwifery Educational Programs, Author (2000); ACNM Exam Prep Workshops, Co-presenter and Workbook Co-author (2001-2003); Midwifery Business Institute Presenter (2001); Multiple ACNM Annual Meeting Presentations (2000-2006); ACNM Bylaws Committee Subgroup on Structure (2007).

Local:
Chapter Chair, V-12 (1998-1999); Consortium of Texas CNMs (CTCNM), President (2002-2003); CTCNM, Nominating Committee (2004); CTCNM, Bylaws Committee Chair (2006); CTCNM, Data & Statistics Committee Chair (2007); Midwifery Representative, Texas Women’s Health Interdisciplinary Summit (2009).

Candidate Statement Related to Office:

Like most midwives, my passion is to listen to women, to empower them to make health-promoting choices and to make the world a better place "one baby at a time".  Deep in my heart is the strong belief that midwifery is the answer to much of what ails our society.  When we honor and protect birthing, we make the world a better place for all its citizens.  It is a tremendous privilege to possess the technical skills and physical stamina to implement these ideals on a daily basis.   However, as a seasoned CNM, I have learned that it takes more than passion and clinical skills to achieve those goals. One must also be savvy in business.  During my fifteen-plus years of full-scope midwifery practice, I have learned, taught, and implemented business concepts pertaining to midwifery practice.  This balance of clinical and business acumen has prepared me for the office of treasurer.

In the current economic environment the ability to follow world events and educate oneself on investing and analysis strategies is as critical as basic accounting principles for an organization's treasurer.  One must look at dwindling dollars & envision methods of promoting the profession and pleasing its professionals so that ACNM will continue to be a voice for midwifery. As a successful business owner for over nine years, I have demonstrated the fiscal skills needed to cope with the current volatile financial milieu.  I understand the balanced responsibility between assuring that a business is able to meet its financial obligations while also having a reserve for unexpected expenses and future growth. As treasurer of ACNM, I will work with the other members of the BOD to balance the responsibilities of assuring that ACNM is fiscally able to support its strategic agenda while also having funds for unexpected financial crises.

ACNM Activities
National:

ACNM Treasurer 2007 - Present; ACNM Division of Research Member, 2006 - present; ACNM Financial Advisory Board Member, 2004 - 2007; ACNM Division of Women, Leadership Section member, 2002 - 2006

Local:
Region V Chapter III Chairperson, 2004-2005; Region V, Chapter III Secretary, 2002-2003

Candidate Statement Related to Office:

I have served as ACNM Treasurer for the past three years. During this time substantial improvements to the infrastructure at the national office have been made with an emphasis on Information Technology improvements. One of my goals upon taking office was to increase transparency and visibility of the financial processes at ACNM. Since being elected, I have worked closely with ACNM staff to launch the financial webpages available on the ACNM website. These pages provide detailed financial information to ACNM members such as ACNM’s annual audit reports. A direct email address for members to ask financial questions and make comments has been established (money@acnm.org). Each year of my tenure, I have presented increasingly detailed financial information to members during the Annual Meeting. This year, I also offered a “Time with the Treasurer” during which ACNM members could speak directly to me about the finances of the organization. During my first term, I was involved with the identification and resolution of financial issues related to the implementation of project-based budgeting and moving to a state affiliate structure. I have also spearheaded the revision of financial policy and procedures as required by the recent change in organizational bylaws. During these difficult economic times, our investments have remained secure and have out-performed the ailing market. My relevant educational preparation consists of an MBA as well as experience running the finances of a small business. I have been in clinical nurse-midwifery practice for 13 years, and strongly support ACNM’s mission. I am committed to funding ACNM’s strategic priorities, and I especially realize the importance of funding activities that promote ACNM’s political presence at this critical time of healthcare reform. During a second term as Treasurer, I look forward to ensuring funding for the seamless continuation of ongoing current and upcoming organizational activities.

ACNM activities:
National:
Division of Education, Basic Competency Section, Member; ACNM Division of Accreditation, Board of Review; Professional Liability Committee; Nominating Committee

Local:
Legislative Committee, ACNM Region II, Chapter 4; Chapter Chairperson, Region II, Chapter 4 (two terms)

ACNM activities:

National:
Region II Representative, current; Professional Liability Section, Chair,1996-2000; ACNM Foundation Vice-President, 2002-2007; Joint Risk Management Committee Member,1992-2004

Local:
Chairperson, Region II Chapter, 1981-1985

Candidate Statement Related to Office:

As your Region Representative since the beginning of this year, I have been honored to work for you.  I was "warned" that it would take a year to be fully oriented to the Board and have certainly found this to be true!!  This is a very exciting time for the ACNM, for midwifery and for health care in the United States.

I would welcome the opportunity to continue working for you and with you.  I have been able to attend several local chapter meetings and plan to attend as many more as time and circumstances permit.  The move to state affiliate structure required by our new by-laws is underway and I am available to assist each state as needed.
 
It is very important that midwifery and midwives continue to work together on both local and national levels to ensure that women, babies and families receive quality health care.  The debate is on-going and I will continue to participate and work for improvement, not just change.

There are other areas which continue to be of concern for our profession.  These include:

• legislative and institutional limitations on practice
• affordable and available professional liability insurance
• inequitable medicare and third-party reimbursement rates
• changes in consumer expectations of childbirth
• declining number of midwifery programs, newly certified nurse-midwives and certified midwives as well as membership in ACNM
• need for collaboration with other professionals and organizations

I am grateful for your support and look forward to continuing to serve as your Regional Representative.  Thank you.

ACNM activities:
Local:  
Over the past twenty seven years, I have served as chapter treasurer, chair, and appointed co-chair. I have represented the nurse midwife community as a representative to the Board of Nursing Advanced Practice Advisory Committee. For the past nine years I have represented CNM’s on the Advanced Practice Prescriptive Authority Coalition and served as co-chair. For the past four years I have served at the Director of Legislation and Public Policy and Board member for the Georgia Nurses Association.

Candidate Statement related to office:
I feel that since Hurricane Katrina devastated parts of the southeastern states there has been shift in the collective "psyche" of our region as most every southern state was as least indirectly affected by this event. In some ways we haven't totally recovered.  In fact, combined now with the current economic tailspin, we have seen the loss of many long time CNM practices and education facilities, from South Carolina to Florida.  Even in Georgia, long established practices are closing, or cutting back and struggling to maintain their relevancy.

It is into this milieu, that I offer to serve as Southeastern Regional Representative.  There is currently a tremendous amount of energy at the national level trying to hammer out some type of reform that will improve our current health care system.  Most CNM's in the our region understand only too well the challenges of caring for underserved and under funded families as that has been one of the things we have done so well.  So I hope to join as an ACNM board member to help find that balancing point …or fine line that will help ensure that all families receive the health care that they need without bankrupting our economy.

Our ACNM board has taken the visionary position of having nurse midwives delivering 20% of the babies in this country by 2020.  To make this a "reality", as it is  in my practice, a number of our current paradigms must be revisited.  I welcome this challenge.  For twenty seven years, I have practiced full scope nurse midwifery, raised a family and served in several capacities to represent our profession to legislators, regulators, governors, lobbyists, nursing organizations and other advanced practice nursing groups here in Georgia.  I hope now to take this vast amount of experience, both clinical and political and put it to work for you as your representative.  I promise to bring the same commitment and tenacity that I have demonstrated over the years to my fellow Georgians, to the entire southeastern region.

ACNM Activities:

National: 
President, Midwifery Business Network; Member, Business Section ACNM; Contributor ACNM Strategic Goals Web conference; Contributor LACE Project Web conference

Local: 
SW FL Gulfcoast Chapter Chair; SW FL Gulfcoast Chapter Vice-Chair; Planning Committee, 2008 FL State Midwifery Gala

Candidate Statement related to office:
There are many unsung heroes of midwifery working in the trenches every day trying to make a difference in the lives of women and families. What gives me a unique perspective, and what would be my greatest contribution to the nominating committee if elected, is my multiple contacts nationally with midwifery leaders that belong to the Midwifery Business Network and locally with CNMs in Florida and the Southeast United States.

The purpose of the nominating committee is to identify prospective candidates with leadership potential and encourage them to run for office. As a Service Director, I had plenty of experience interviewing candidates, and was able to discern not only the "fit" with the practice, but the unique contributions each person might bring to the job. Being a member of the nominating committee would utilize these same skills to allow me to contribute to the team that would find our next generation of midwifery leaders.

ACNM Activities:

National:
Region I Representative, Board of Directors, 2002-2005; Chair, Division of Research, 2006 – present; Member, Division of Research, 1996 – present; Member, Directors of Midwifery Education, 2005 - present

Local :
 Chapter Secretary, 1992-1996

ACNM Activities:

National: 
Uniformed Services Committee, founding member and Navy Representative, 2004-present

Local:
Previously a member of the Washington, DC and San Diego chapters.

Candidate Statement related to office: 
Since joining ACNM a year prior to attending midwifery school, I have been passionate about advancing our profession, both within the military and as a whole. From successfully writing and presenting a business case analysis to create and hire six civilian CNM positions into a military hospital (prior to graduate school); working as the student representative to the AMCB Computer-Based Testing task force; and finally to my active involvement in the establishment and continued work of the ACNM Uniformed Services Committee, my activities have added to my appreciation of the leaders of our profession, and have given me a better understanding of the qualities that our best leaders possess. My background in the military gives me a unique perspective of organized healthcare, as well as the needs of women from vastly different backgrounds.

As we move forward in this exciting time of change in healthcare, it is vital that we have a strong foundation of leadership within the organization to represent our interests at the local and national levels, while we all demonstrate, on a daily basis, our value as primary providers of women’s healthcare. As a member of the Nominating Committee, I will use this experience and knowledge to assist in identifying and presenting the best and most fully qualified candidates for election to lead our organization and profession into the future. Members of the Nominating Committee fill a unique and important role within the College, with members who are actively involved and engaged in their task. My prior activities have demonstrated my commitment to midwifery and our organization, and if elected, I will continue to work tirelessly on your behalf. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to serving you in the future.

ACNM Activities:

National: 
ACNM Government Affairs Committee Member for Region V

Local:
Past Vice Chair of Minnesota chapter (held this office for 4 years), Current CLC – chapter legislative liaison.

Candidate Statement related to office: 
I would like to be a part of the nominating committee team, because I would like to contribute to the ACNM. I am proud to be a member of this organization. ACNM is making more and more progress in achieving our goals as our professional voice on the national and international stage. I want to be a part of the progress.  Recently, I was impressed with the leadership ACNM has taken regarding educational standards for midwives. The first service I worked in out of graduation provided home birth services. I support home birth, but I think that midwives should complete a formal, accredited educational program. I am pleased that the ACNM has taken a lead in this process.

I am currently a member of the Government Affairs Committee for Region V, which has brought me to most of the recent annual meetings. Not only meeting midwives at the annual meetings, but also cold-calling midwives in Region V and asking them to be a part of the government affairs process, has allowed me to meet and be inspired by many of my colleagues. This involvement and participation I think will make me a great candidate for the nominating committee, as I can motivate and encourage midwives to be a part of our board of directors.

At home, I am the Minnesota chapter's (soon to be affiliate) legislative liaison (CLC).  I have found motivating my midwife colleagues and friends to participate in our local and federal politics to be so rewarding. We have had such success! We have had both of our Senators sign onto the Midwifery Care Access and Reimbursement Equity Act two years in a row!  I have been a midwife for nine years and have worked in full-scope most of my career. I have a lot to offer the nominating committee and look forward to the opportunity to serve.