I am having a hard time believing that this is what we are calling Winter in Minnesota. For those of us with seasonal anxiety/depression, this “winter” might be described as exceptional, though sunshine has been far and few between. For those of us who delight in winter sports, this season has been … disappointing. Regardless of where you fall this winter, I hope the change in season (and year) has brought you a slower pace and warmth.
This Winter has not slowed the MN ACNM Affiliate board down. We had our Winter meeting in December in which we reviewed our successes of 2023, identified areas for improvement, and set some goals for 2024! We plan to continue to focus on fostering community among all birthworkers in our community, increasing engagement and fostering inclusion for our current members, and continuing to increase our membership rates.
Our last Affiliate meeting of 2023 was December 7th and included the annual student potluck. We were lucky to meet many midwifery students, and even a handful of nursing students planning to pursue midwifery! Meeting minutes and notes can be found HERE.
I know it is early, but we are also preparing for the departure of two of our beloved board members this summer: Dominique Jones (Vice President x4 years) and Allie Wellie (Secretary x4 years). If you have an interest in becoming more involved in the MN Affiliate or your curiosity has peaked, please do not hesitate to reach out to any of us! Elections for these 2 positions will be held this summer.
For anyone who has been having difficulty renewing and buying a National ACNM Membership, great news, the glitches have been fixed! National has prioritized getting this up and running on their website. The board has personally been vetting the membership process monthly and communicating with National about this since the Fall and are happy to say that all our MN Affiliate Board Members now have updated memberships! Here is a quick link for renewing/joining: https://www.midwife.org/Join-ACNM
We continue to strive for community and inclusivity for all MN based CNMs and SNMs. If you are not feeling supported by the MN ACNM Affiliate community or you have a suggestion for how we can improve, please do not hesitate to reach out by email:
Co-Presidents: mnacnmaffiliate@gmail.com Vice President: vp.mnacnmaffiliate@gmail.com
Treasure: treasurer.mnacnmaffiliate@gmail.com Secretary: secretary.mnacnmaffiliate@gmail.com
Indigenous and Midwives of Color Committee (IMOCC) Updates
The members of IMOCC had a lovely winter gathering on December 10th. We are planning a Spring gathering. Look for an email in the coming weeks with more information.
Are you interested in being at the next gathering? Be sure to follow our Instagram page and send an email to us!
Follow us on Instagram @imocc_mn
Email: imocc.mn@gmail.com
Student Corner
Are you a student member of the ACNM Affiliate and want to be more involved? We are hoping to bring back student opportunities and activities including the Suture Workshop! If you would like to take part in the revitalization of the student section of the Affiliate, please send your contact information to VP Dominique Jones at vp.mnacnmaffiliate@gmail.com
Optimal Outcomes Updates
Save the date for October 25th, 2024 as this year’s Optimal Outcome Conference. The committee is more than thrilled that all of last year’s planning committee has decided to volunteer on again! They are hoping to put out a call for speakers soon. Stay tuned for more to come.
Lobbying Efforts:
- Bill HF 1324
Our lobbyists are feeling more and more confident that the Certified Midwife (CM) bill WILL pass this year! MN ACNM is partnered with the Minnesota APRN Coalition 2024 and are committed to working jointly together.
ACOG has made this their number one legislative priority. We are hoping to have a Day on the Hill with ACOG on March 12, 2024 from 9am – 1 pm. Look for more information coming shortly.
- Modification to existing MN Statute 148.211 Subd. 1c. Postgraduate practice.
Currently APRN in MN (excluding CNM and CRNA) must have collaborative agreement with a physician for the first 2080 hours. The APRN Coalition is working to remove this requirement. The Board is in support of this change as it recurrently restricts where an APRN can practice. We are hopeful this will also be passed.
- Support of existing MN Statute 147
We are continuing to support this bill that allows CPM to PURCHASE, carry and administer select medications.
- We have been working with representatives from the Minnesota Department of Health on addressing the rising cases of syphilis in MN. We have been asked to disseminate the updated resources, screening recommendations, and treatment guidelines to our members:
NEW MDH Congenital Syphilis/Syphilis in Pregnancy Resources:
- Updated webpage link here (which includes all of these resources): Syphilis Information for Health Professionals: Syphilis Information for Health Professionals – MN Dept. of Health (state.mn.us)
- Pregnancy screening recommendations and FAQS attached and here: Pregnancy Syphilis Screening Recommendations and FAQs (state.mn.us)
- Pregnancy Syphilis Screening and Treatment Guide attached and here: Pregnancy Syphilis Screening and Treatment Guide (state.mn.us)
**IF you are not yet a member of the APRN Coalition we would strongly recommend you change this. They support the work of APRN all over the state. It is only ~$40 to become a member and they have quarterly meetings with education. https://mnaprnc.enpnetwork.com/page/22071-mn-aprn-membership
Winter Community Birth Worker Highlight
Who: Nadine Ashby (they/them)
What: Doula (@Doula4All), lactation educator and
founder of Birth Revolution: www.thebirthrevolution.org
Venmo: @BirthRevolution
Anti-Racist doula training and consulting for the community by the community
“I am a queer, trans birth worker and birth educator. Using a foundation of social justice, I work closely with families to create environments where they can thrive in their birth space and beyond. I am also a founder of Birth Revolution, a queer and trans led anti-racist birth work training… I am a holder of space and a builder of community.
What Nadine wants you to know: Your donations help us to train Black and Indigenous queer and/or trans doulas for free!
Here are some actionable steps for supporting them and their work:
1. Say hi, send a message, network
2. Follow on social media! Share their content and engage with their posts.
3. Refer clients to them
4. $$$! Set up a monthly donation through their website. Buy them a coffee!
Every newsletter we will be highlighting a member of the Minnesota Birth Community. If you have a suggestion or nomination, email us!
Upcoming Events:
Save these Dates:
- 2024 Affiliate Meetings.
Note the time changes. Mingling and snacks at 6p. Meeting to start at 6:30p- March 4th @ 6:00p in St. Paul. Zoom start time: 6:30p
- May 8th @ 6:00p in Rochester! Zoom start time: 6:30p. Exact location TBD.
- 2024 Affiliate Meetings.
- Celebrating 50 Years of Midwifery in Minnesota!
- WHAT: Celebrate a half century of Nurse-Midwifery in Minnesota with fellow midwives, current and past students, midwifery supporters, and honored guests. We’ll honor the trailblazers who paved the way for nurse-midwives in our state and recognize the incredible contribution of nurse-midwives to health care in Minnesota.
- When: Friday, February 16, 2024, 5:30-8:30pm
- Where: Campus Club, 4th Floor of Coffman Union, University of Minnesota
- More details and RSVP here: https://nursemidwifery50.eventbrite.com
- Day on the Hill with ACOG: March 12, 2024 from 9am – 1 pm. More information to come.
- Summer Suturing Workshop for students and new midwives. More info to come.
- 2024 Optimal Outcomes Conference: October 25th
Stay up to date on Events and Happenings!