This summer I had the privilege of working alongside Certified Nurse Midwife Kim Q. Đậu on an exploratory research project assessing the feasibility of combining public health and midwifery education. The goal of our research was to build innovative pathways to midwifery education, which can in turn strengthen the midwifery workforce and fill crucial gaps in access to maternity care.
The core focus of my internship was drafting a roadmap outlining how and why public health and midwifery education programs may be integrated. To build evidence for this roadmap, I analyzed educational competencies for both midwifery and public health and identified areas of alignment. I also researched existing educational programs that combine clinical and public health education, and collaborated on several potential public health midwifery program models. I combined each of these components into a draft report communicating our findings to schools of public health and other stakeholders.
In order to understand the feasibility of developing new midwifery education pathways across the United States, I also collaborated with a fellow intern to review state-level midwifery education and licensure policies across the country. For each state, we combed through regulatory code to identify the barriers that new midwifery education programs may face.
Thanks to the support of the Wallace Center and my preceptor Kim Q. Đậu, this practicum offered me the unique opportunity to contribute to maternal health on a systemic level. I strenghtened my policy analysis skills and gained an intimate understanding of educational accreditation requirements, applying this knowledge to timely maternal health workforce needs. This internship solidified my goals to develop a career in maternal health policy. It also reinforced my commitment to supporting midwives as essential maternal healthcare providers. By expanding opportunities for midwifery training, I hope to continue building a world where every birthing person has access to high quality, person-centered, and holistic care.