Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW)

Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) is sponsored by HRSA Bureau of Health Workforce. The ANEW program supports clinical training for nurse practitioners in primary care. It aims to increase the number of qualified nurses in the primary care workforce by funding enhancements of training and practice of advanced nurses and traineeships for nursing students.

Frontier Nursing University Awarded $1. 3 Million HRSA Program Grant – Frontier Nursing University Frontier Nursing University Awarded $1. 3 Million HRSA Program Grant Hyden, KY — Frontier Nursing University (FNU) has been awarded the Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

The grant totals $1,376,800 in funding from 2018-2020, including $600,000 in student scholarships. The goal of the ANEW program is to support innovative academic-practice partnerships to prepare primary care advanced practice registered nursing students to practice in rural and underserved settings through academic and clinical training.

The partnerships support traineeships as well as infrastructure funds to schools of nursing and their practice partners who deliver longitudinal primary care clinical training experiences with rural and/or underserved populations.

As a university offering graduate nursing education and community-based clinical training using distance-learning strategies to reach students across the nation, FNU has the ability to have a widespread impact on primary care clinical education, and ultimately, on the quality and access to care in rural areas.

Via the ANEW grant, FNU plans to support 350 nurse practitioner and nurse-midwifery students completing clinical training in rural areas with traineeship funds. This grant will also provide funds for the development of ANEW program infrastructure, implementation, and evaluation.

Through this very important program, FNU will identify and co-create improved curriculum and clinical training experiences in collaboration with academic-practice partners (APPs) who are directly affected by the healthcare disparities facing the rural communities where they practice.

This joint venture with our academic-practice partners will make it possible for FNU to test, implement, evaluate, and improve training for primary care preceptors and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) students. “We are honored to receive the ANEW grant and excited for the opportunities it creates,” said FNU president Dr. Susan E. Stone.

“Since its founding, Frontier Nursing University has been committed to filling the gaps in quality healthcare available in rural and underserved populations. This grant will enable us to expand our impact and improve our ability to address healthcare disparities in communities across the country.

” The overarching goal of the FNU ANEW program is to expand formal academic-practice partnerships in order to co-design and implement strategies to enhance the preparation and distribution of APRNs and nurse-midwives practicing in rural settings.

The steps to achieving this goal include four primary objectives: Objective 1: Improve student readiness to practice in rural primary care settings through co-designed and tailored didactic education and clinical training experiences through academic-practice partnerships.

Objective 2: Recruit, train, support, and evaluate clinical preceptors located in rural areas nationwide as program partners in order to leverage the quality and distribution of primary care preceptors in rural settings. Objective 3: Provide 175 FNU students entering the clinical practicum in a rural setting with $2,000 in traineeship support each grant year.

Objective 4: Improve the distribution of APRNs and nurse-midwives throughout rural communities across the nation via improved strategies to support and connect trainees with rural clinical experience to primary care employment in those same settings.

The mission of FNU is to educate nurses to become competent, entrepreneurial, ethical and compassionate nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners who are leaders in the primary care of women and families with an emphasis on underserved and rural populations.

FNU offers graduate Nurse-Midwifery and Nurse-Practitioner distance education programs that can be pursued full- or part-time with the student’s home community serving as the classroom. Degrees and options offered include Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Post-Graduate Certificates. To learn more about FNU and the programs and degrees offered, please visit Frontier.

edu. 2026-27 President’s Academic Fellowship Program Participants Over 2,300 Deliveries Later, Carol Greenlee is Still “Playing Nurse” Sherret Register: Sharing the Power of Scholarships Chris Turley is the Director of Student Engagement at Frontier Nursing University and has been instrumental in the execution of the Diversity Impact Conference, as well as Frontier’s Professional Organizational Mentoring (POMP) programs.

He holds a Master’s of Science in Sports Administration and a Bachelor’s of Science in Sports Management. Chris has over 10 years’ experience with federal grant management, program development, and marketing. He was recognized as a “Kentucky Colonel” by the governor for his community engagement work in the state.

Chris had the privilege of developing programs to help over 2500 at-promise participants gain vocational/technical skills to advance their careers and further opportunities. Jill Alliman, CNM, DNP, has over 40 years of midwifery clinical and advocacy experience to improve access to maternity care for rural and underserved communities. She provided care in a rural birth center in Appalachian Tennessee for over 26 years.

At AABC, she lobbied to pass the Birth Center Medicaid Bill in 2010 and serves on the Government Affairs Committee. As Project Director of AABC Strong Start, she helped measure the impact of enhanced birth center care on outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries.

Data show that this model of prenatal care reduces maternal and infant health disparities and significantly improves preterm, low birth weight and cesarean rates, even when women give birth in the hospital. Participants had higher rates of breastfeeding with longer durations than those in usual care.

As Assistant Professor at Frontier Nursing University, she teaches Master’s and Doctoral APRN and CNM students about policy and collaboration skills impacting their future practice. Victoria Burslem, MSN, CNM, CNE(cl), FACNM, has served on faculty at Frontier Nursing University teaching nurse-midwifery and APRN students since 2015.

Additionally, she was on faculty for 7 years at the inception of Frontier’s original Community-based Nurse-Midwifery Education Program (CNEP) and helped in the development of its distance curriculum. Clinically, Vicki’s professional experience includes providing full-scope nurse-midwifery care for over 35 years in both private and clinic settings – in-hospital and at a freestanding birthing center.

Administratively, Vicki served as manager of a large Atlanta-based ob/gyn practice for many years, supervising the clinical practice of 10 nurse-midwives who attended approximately 200 births per month.

Vicki has been active in promoting legislative initiatives throughout her career, serving as the legislative liaison and then president of American College of Nurse-Midwives State Affiliates where she has lived, most recently in Kentucky.

She is currently a Legislative Key Contact for the Kentucky Association of Nurse Practitioners and Nurse-Midwives and has extensive experience advocating for legislation impacting the advanced practice nursing profession.

With a recognition that many in the nursing profession are unfamiliar with the legislative process, Vicki is able to provide a practical understanding of how bills progress through the state legislature and guidance on how to be an effective advocate for bills under consideration that impact patients’ access to healthcare and our profession. Deborah C.

Stamps, EdD, MBA, MS, RN, GNP, NE-BC, CDE®, FADLN, FAAN, is the founder and chief executive officer for Deborah Stamps Consulting, LLC. Dr. Stamps has almost forty years of progressive healthcare leadership and is an internationally recognized authority on workforce development, diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, nursing education, and leadership.

She has held various roles, from LPN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Vice President of Quality, Patient Safety and Innovation including founding President of the Rochester General College of Health Careers and the inaugural Chief Diversity Officer at Rochester Regional Health.

Roberta Waite, EdD, RN, PMHCNS, ANEF, FADLN, FAAN, is a nationally recognized nursing thought leader whose expertise is at the nexus of health equity, social justice, anti-Black racism, mental health, and community-centered work.

As the inaugural Dean of the relaunched School of Nursing at Georgetown University, she works with internal and external stakeholders to establish a world class academic destination for advancing excellence in nursing education, research, scholarship, and transformative engagement with communities.

She is responsible for academic and operational leadership of the school, which is composed of prelicensure, master’s and doctoral nursing programs. Waite’s expertise is amplified in her roles as Board Director for Family Process Institute, Independence Blue Cross Foundation, Georgetown MedStar Hospital, and Advancing Health Equity’s National Advisory Board supported by the RWJF.

As an inaugural Macy Faculty Scholar, her educational research focused on leadership development of nursing and health professions students using a social justice lens. Dr. Ashley Graham-Perel, EdD, MS, RN, CNE, is an Assistant Professor, Director of the Office of Diversity and Cultural Affairs, and historian at Columbia University School of Nursing.

She holds an EdD from Teachers College, Columbia University, an MS in Nursing Education from NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, and a BS in Nursing from NYC College of Technology. Triple certified in Medical-Surgical Nursing, Nursing Professional Development, and as a Certified Nurse Educator, she brings deep expertise to advancing equity in nursing.

Her research explores the intersections of race, nursing education, and healthcare disparities, with a focus on the training of Black nurses and the legacy of institutions like the Lincoln School for Nurses. She researches and disseminates Black nursing history through oral histories and multimedia productions. Dr. Graham-Perel bridges academia and community to shape a more inclusive, historically grounded healthcare workforce.

Kimberly Jenkins Robinson Kimberly Jenkins Robinson is a professor at the University of Virginia School of Law as well as a professor at both the School of Education and Human Development, and the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy.

She is one of the nation’s leading education law experts and speaks throughout the United States about K-20 educational equity, school funding, education and democracy, equal opportunity, civil rights, Title IX and federalism. In 2023, Robinson launched the Education Rights Institute with $4. 9 million in funding from an anonymous donor.

Under her leadership, the Education Rights Institute will support scholarship and engagement about a federal right to education, the key building blocks of a high-quality education and opportunity gaps in the delivery of those building blocks, as well as how school districts can best comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Dr. Paula Alexander-Delpech Dr. Alexander-Delpech’s journey is marked by a deep-rooted commitment to education, healthcare innovation, and advancing Inclusive Excellence both at Frontier Nursing University (FNU) and on a national scale.

With a solid educational foundation, including a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing from Florida International University, a Doctor of Philosophy from Barry University, and a post-master’s in Psychiatric Mental Health from the University of Cincinnati, she brings a wealth of expertise and transformational leadership to the table.

For over 30 years, Dr. Alexander-Delpech has demonstrated visionary leadership in nurturing the minds of future nurses in both undergraduate and graduate programs, embodying her dedication to shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals through innovative pedagogical approaches and mentorship excellence.

As a Board-Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), her clinical practice revolves around community-based healthcare, where she strategically utilizes telehealth to bridge gaps in mental health services while leading initiatives that expand access to underserved populations.

Her research endeavors echo her collaborative leadership style and commitment to addressing global health inequalities, with a special focus on the Caribbean and its Diaspora. Dr. Bennyce E. Hamilton is a seasoned educator, administrator, and equity advocate with over three decades of professional experience in education, emergency services, and community engagement.

Currently serving as Regional Director of the Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Deputy Title IX Coordinator at Miami University Regionals, she has led transformative initiatives that bridge institutional policy with inclusive practice. Dr. Hamilton’s work centers on cultivating equitable environments, mentoring students and staff, and building strategic partnerships across educational and civic sectors.

Her distinguished career includes leadership roles in K-12 and higher education, extensive curriculum development, and service as a firefighter/paramedic. A published author and dynamic presenter, she has shared her expertise nationally on issues of identity, access, and leadership.

Dr. Hamilton holds a doctorate in Literacy from the University of Cincinnati and remains active in numerous professional and civic organizations, including the YWCA Hamilton and the Greater Hamilton Equity Alliance. Kenya V. Beard, EdD, AGACNP-BC, ANEF, FAAN, FADLN is the inaugural Dean and Chief Nursing Officer at Mercy University’s School of Nursing and former chair of the New York State Board of Nursing.

A national health equity expert and transformational leader, she has shaped nursing education, policy, and practice across the U.S. Dr. Beard was a 2012 Macy Faculty Scholar and co-founded the Center for Multicultural Education and Health Disparities. She teaches at the Harvard Macy Institute and serves on the board of Public Health Solutions.

Her work spans media, policy, and academia, including co-producing health disparity segments on WBAI-FM and co-editing Future of Nursing 2020–2030: Global Applications to Advance Health Equity. A fellow of three national academies, she serves on editorial boards and co-founded the Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing. Melanie A.

Mariano, MSN, FNP-BC Melanie A. Mariano, MSN, FNP-BC (she/her) is interested in advancing health equity by identifying and rectifying systemic racism in clinical decision-making and expanding community health services. She is a BSN and MSN graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Nursing.

Upon graduation from Penn Nursing, she worked to establish a nursing presence at the Free Library of Philadelphia to connect marginalized populations to health services. Clinically, she currently works as a family nurse practitioner in the Atlanta Metro area.

She is currently completing her work toward both a Doctor of Nursing Practice and Master of Public Health degrees at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing and Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Kathleen Scott earned her bachelor’s degree of Science in Nursing in 2006 from Hawaii Pacific University, Her Master’s Degree of Science in Nursing in 2008 from Frontier University and her Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2019 from Frontier University. She became an ACNM Fellow in 2024. She practices at Nebraska Medicine as a Certified Nurse Midwife and is a volunteer faculty member at University of Nebraska.

In 2023, Dr. Scott’s innovative approach to teaching earned her the Excellence in Educational Service award through the University of Nebraska. Throughout her education, she was mentored and encouraged by her professors and colleagues. This support and inspiration greatly affected her success and allowed for additional educational opportunities that have motivated her to continue to learn well after her formal education had ended.

She is committed to improving perinatal health outcomes within her community to decrease the maternal morbidity and mortality rates with her involvement in local nonprofit groups. The results of her DNP project, a project focused on identifying and treating anxiety and depression antenatally, influenced, and improved care provided to patients.

She cofounded a volunteer doula program using allied health students to provide bedside support for long term antepartum and intrapartum patients. She works with local doula organizations, improving their continued educational opportunities and fostering cohesive integration into the birth team. Throughout her career she has taught a multitude of students and residents, nurturing a commitment to evidence based and compassionate care.

There is no greater honor or joy than guarding and guiding women through the birth journey to motherhood. Jenny is a CNM with Valley Women’s Health in American Fork, Utah. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from California State University at Los Angeles.

As a graduate RN, she moved to Colorado, where she worked in critical care for several years, then transferred to teaching as a home dialysis instructor to patients with kidney failure. She met and married her Air Force husband and began her career as a military wife, supporting her family through the necessary frequent moves.

After three tours of duty overseas and the birth of her three daughters, Jenny felt called into midwifery and earned her CNM certificate from The Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing, now The Frontier Nursing University. She has practiced as a midwife with the Air Force, the Army, and the Indian Health Service in Alaska. She has experience in home and birth center births and private practice.

Jenny is a member of the American College of Nurse-Midwives and is board-certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board. She is a certified childbirth instructor and trained in lactation support. Jenny Has been certified in Neonatal Resuscitation, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics.

She is credentialed to practice at two hospitals in the area. Jenny loves the sunshine, gardening, outdoor activities (when not in school), and walking her Bernese Mountain dogs with her now-retired husband. She has been married for 50 years and has raised 3 incredible daughters.

She now bears the honorific of Gigi (grandmother glifort) after being gifted with a grandson. Rebekah Alison Bhansali, MSN, CNM, PhD Candidate Rebekah Bhansali is a PhD candidate at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing with a diverse background in human development and family science, nursing, and nurse-midwifery. She completed her Nurse-Midwifery education at Frontier Nursing University.

Rebekah worked as a Certified Nurse Midwife at Allen Midwifery and Family Wellness, a freestanding birth center in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, providing holistic care throughout adolescence, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and menopause.

Her dissertation research focuses on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and their long-term cardiovascular risks with considerations of genetic and environmental influences by employing predictive modeling. Rebekah aims to advance precision health and technologies to improve healthcare outcomes and promote equitable lifelong wellbeing for women and birthing individuals.

Dr. Diane Ortega, DNP, CNM Diane Ortega, DNP, CNM is the Co-owner and Administrative Director of Willow Midwife Center for Birth and Wellness AZ with locations in Mesa, Phoenix and Gilbert. The accredited birth centers have been recognized nationally for their excellent outcomes.

She received her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Frontier Nursing University and additionally holds a post-masters certificate in Integrated Behavioral Health Care-Women’s Health from Cummings Graduate Institute. She helped to spearhead a perinatal behavioral health integration project at Willow Birth Center from 2016-2020 that received international acclaim through publication of outcomes in the International Journal of Integrated.

Dr. Ortega and her business partner will be opening the first in the nation inpatient Mother-Baby psychiatric unit for women experiencing severe perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). Dr. Ortega is a member of the Arizona Maternal Mortality Review Committee and the Arizona Maternal Mental Health Advisory Committee. She also serves as the Vice President of the AABC Foundation and President of the AABC Arizona Chapter.

Dr. Cathleen Hewlett-Masser Dr. Hewlett-Masser, DNP, CNM, IBCLC is a Clinical Educator, Assistant Professor for the University of New Mexico, College of Nursing since 2024. She currently teaches foundational courses in the Doctor of Nursing program in addition to the specific Midwifery specialty track.

She practices clinically as a Certified Nurse-Midwife with the University Midwifery Associates in the UNM Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, specializing in midwifery care for all who seek it. She is an advocate for reproductive justice, recognizing the role of psychological safety in comprehensive reproductive health care.

Dr. Hewlett-Masser also advocates for the value of midwifery care in improving maternal child outcomes and increasing access to care. She currently serves Co-president of the New Mexico Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives and as a member of the New Mexico Department of Health Nurse-Midwifery Advisory Counsel.

Hewlett-Masser earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice and Master of Science in Nursing from Frontier Nursing University. Her doctoral project centered on expanding access to effective perinatal depression care.

Carrie Belin is an experienced board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and a graduate of the Johns Hopkins DNP program, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Georgetown University School of Nursing, and Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. She has also completed fellowships at Georgetown and the University of California Irvine.

She is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the California Association for Nurse Practitioners, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society in Nursing. Discover Midwives. Dr. Angie Chisholm, DNP CNM Angie has been a full-scope midwife since 2009.

She has experience in various birth settings including home, hospital, and birth centers. She is committed to integrating the midwifery model of care in the US. She completed her master’s degree in nurse-midwifery at Frontier Nursing University (FNU) and her Doctorate at Johns Hopkins University.

She currently serves as the midwifery clinical faculty at FNU. Angie is motivated by the desire to improve the quality of healthcare and has led quality improvement projects on skin-to-skin implementation, labor induction, and improving transfer of care practices between hospital and community midwives. In 2017, she created a short film on skin-to-skin called The Heart of Touch .

She was a co-host of Midwifing America , a national podcast created for reimagining reproductive and maternity care in America. Angie is active in the American College of Nurse-Midwives. She is the current membership chair of the Kentucky affiliate.

She was the Oregon affiliate chair of the public relations committee from 2017-2020. She is the past chair the ACNM Membership & Marketing Committee. Currently, she heads a subcommittee for the ACNM consumer website: Discover Midwives.

Wendy Post is a seasoned nursing professional and a passionate advocate for maternal health with over 25 years of experience. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and is currently pursuing a PhD at George Washington University School of Nursing.

Her extensive career in nursing has been dedicated to addressing maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly in underserved communities impacted by maternal health deserts and maternal morbidity and mortality. In addition to her academic pursuits, Wendy has taken on the role of a forensic nurse examiner in Maryland, enhancing her ability to support populations impacted by trauma.

She is the founder of “The Birth Mark,” an organization committed to improving maternal health outcomes globally. Her organization has a specific branch dedicated to supporting women affected by maternal mortality, reflecting her deep commitment to advocacy and support for bereaved families. Wendy’s current research involves a pilot study that explores the experiences of eyewitnesses and medical examiners involved in maternal deaths.

This study employs verbal and social autopsy frameworks to gather comprehensive insights into the factors leading to maternal mortality. By interviewing bereaved family members and medical examiners, she aims to identify critical areas for improvement in maternal healthcare practices and inform policy changes that can reduce maternal deaths and address disparities in healthcare.

Her dedication to maternal health extends beyond research as she actively engages in community outreach, education, and advocacy. Wendy has begun to present her work at various national and international conferences. Her contributions to the field of maternal health are driven by a profound commitment to closing the gaps in healthcare disparities and improving outcomes for all women.

Dr. Yvonne T. Maddox, Ph. D.

is President and Chief Executive Officer of the TA Thornton Foundation, a family foundation dedicated to promoting the health and wellness of underserved communities.

Dr. Maddox previously served as Vice President for Research and Professor of Allied Health Sciences at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), a part of the Department of Defense, where she oversaw a robust clinical and basic science research portfolio, including infectious diseases, trauma and critical care medicine, health maintenance, post-traumatic stress, and traumatic brain injury.

Prior to joining USUHS, Dr. Maddox held many leadership positions at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including Acting Director of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Deputy Director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and Acting Deputy Director of the entire NIH.

Among her memberships on advisory boards and committees include: the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)/NIH Council Working Group on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; Nutrition Research Advisory Group, Friedman School of Nutrition, Science and Policy, Tufts University; Advisory Council, Food is Medicine Institute, Tufts University; the American Society for Nutrition Foundation Board of Trustees Executive Committee; the Black AIDS Institute Scientific Advisory Committee, and the Miraki Innovation Board of Directors.

Dr. Maddox has received many honors and awards, including the United States Presidential Distinguished Executive Rank Award (the highest honor for a career civil servant), United States Presidential Meritorious Rank Award, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Career Achievement Award, Public Health Service Special Recognition Award, DHHS Secretary’s Award, NIH Director’s Award (including one that bears her name), National Down Syndrome Society Champion of Change Award, Research Down Syndrome Foundation Light the Way Award, Delta Sigma Theta Award for Public Service, the National Council of Negro Women Partnership Award, the Hela Leadership Award for Excellence in Reproductive Medicine, Induction into the Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Hall of Fame, and selection as one of the top 30 Women in Higher Education by the Journal, Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.

She is the recipient of several honorary degrees. Dr. Maddox received her B. S.

in biology from Virginia Union University, Richmond, and her Ph. D. in physiology from Georgetown University.

She studied as a Visiting Scientist at the French Atomic Energy Commission, Saclay, France and graduated from the Senior Managers in Government Program of the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. Eugene DeClerq, Ph. D.

, MBA Eugene Declercq, Ph. D. , M.

B. A. , is a professor of community health sciences at the Boston University School of Public Health and professor on the faculty of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Boston University School of Medicine.

His current research focuses primarily on maternal mortality and morbidity. He is part of the team that has produced six reports on women’s experiences in childbirth, Listening to Mothers. He is a current member of the Massachusetts Maternal Mortality Review Committee and on the board of March for Moms.

He was principal investigator on two NIH funded collaborative projects examining child and maternal outcomes associated with Assisted Reproductive Technologies (MOSART project) and is one of the founders of the Pregnancy to Early Life Longitudinal (PELL) data system that has linked vital statistics, hospital, and administrative data on more than 1,200,000 births in Massachusetts since 1998.

He has also been active in a variety of public health projects in his hometown of Lawrence, Massachusetts. He is the founder of the website www. birthbythenumbers.

org, where additional data on maternal mortality and other maternal and infant health outcomes can be found. He is also a recipient of the Martha May Eliot Award from the American Public Health Association for service to maternal and child health and the Greg Alexander Award for research in maternal and child health epidemiology. He has Ph.

D. and M. S.

degrees from Florida State University and a M. BA. from University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Jeelan Fall is a Certified Nurse Midwife and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner providing full scope services including routine gynecologic care throughout the lifespan, contraception, pre-conception counseling, pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum care. Jeelan is a first-generation graduate with a life-long calling to the world of childbirth and women’s health.

She believes in the philosophy of shared decision-making between patients and their care providers. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Utah.

Dr Fall has a particular passion for maternal health disparities and how they tie into increased rates of morbidity and mortality among mothers and neonates who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). In her free time, she enjoys traveling to any place in the world with a beach and spending time with her family.

Karlie Porter Masaga is a Certified Nurse Midwife and Womens Health Nurse Practitioner providing care to women across their lifespan. Karlie started her career as a Midwife and Nurse Practitioner in Utah County. She has since joined the Birthcare Healthcare team and is enjoying her time caring for women in the Salt Lake and surrounding areas.

Karlie is passionate about providing evidence-based care to women. She strives to ensure all her patients feel heard, understood, and receive best practice at each stage of their life from teenage years, through childbearing, labor, birth, and menopause.

Holly Kennedy, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN Holly Powell Kennedy, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN was the inaugural Helen Varney Professor of Midwifery (now emeritus) at the Yale University School of Nursing. She has served as the President of the American College of Nurse-Midwives and received the 2016 Hattie Hemschemeyer Award, their highest honor.

Her program of research is focused on a greater understanding of the effectiveness and outcomes of specific models of care during the childbearing year, especially is support of childbearing physiology. She was a Fulbright Distinguished Fellowship at King’s College London in 2008 and is currently a Fulbright Specialist. She is a retired Colonel in the US Army Nurse Corps Reserve.

Michelle Debbink, MD, PhD Michelle Debbink, MD/PhD FACOG is an Assistant Professor of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. She grew up in the Air Force and enjoyed moving frequently around the US and abroad.

She received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Policy Studies from Rice University, and her MD and PhD in Health Services Organization and Policy (social epidemiology focus) at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She completed her obstetrics and gynecology residency at University of Michigan as well, and then moved to the University of Utah for her Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship.

She is a current Reproductive Scientist Development Program scholar, and is funded to conduct research on the community and geographic drivers of racial and ethnic inequities in severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality.

In particular, her research focuses on a population health-community engaged translational continuum to amplify resilience and build interventions to close gaps in perinatal care in partnership with American Indian/Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander women and birthing people.

She also serves as the Departmental Vice Chair for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for the ObGyn Department at the University of Utah, and the Assistant Program Director for the Women’s Health Equity Fellowship at the University of Utah.

Nikia Grayson, DNP, MSN, MPH, MA, CNM, FNP-C Dr. Nikia Grayson, DNP, MSN, MPH, MA, CNM, FNP-C, FACNM (she/her) is a trailblazing force in reproductive justice, blending her expertise as a public health activist, anthropologist, and family nurse-midwife to champion the rights and health of underserved communities.

Graduating with distinction from Howard University, Nikia holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in public health. Her academic journey also