Explore the opportunities available for nursing students through UNCF and HBCUs and discover how increasing diversity among nurse scientists can transform health care. Our guests discuss the importance of outreach, mentorship, and community support in nursing education, as well as strategies for building connections with funders. Tune in for insights into how you can get involved in supporting the next generation of nursing professionals.

Allyssa L. Harris RN, PhD, WHNP-BC, FNAP, FADNL

Dr. Allyssa L. Harris is the Dean and Professor of the College of Nursing at Prairie View A&M University. She began her career at William F. Connell School of Nursing at Boston College, where she served as the Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Program Director, achieved tenure, and was promoted to Associate Professor and Department Chair.

Throughout her 39-year career as a nurse and women’s health nurse practitioner, Dr. Harris has advocated for the care of women, children and families. She’s the author of multiple publications, serves on numerous professional organization’s committees and boards of directors including AWHONN’s Editorial Advisory Board for the journal, Nursing for Women’s Health (NWH).

Dr. Harris has received a number of awards and was recently inducted in the 2024 inaugural class of Fellows of Association Diverse Nurse Leaders (FADNL).

Cynthia Hearn, MS  

Cynthia Hearn is a seasoned healthcare professional that worked as a licensed nurse for several years specializing in women’s health and lactation. In April 2022, she entered the field of higher education as a Relationship Manager and College Success Coach with UNCF (United Negro College Fund).

Cynthia has been successful in designing and developing a variety of wellness programs in the workplace. She’s passionate about helping students and enjoys forming partnerships with various professional associations. Her work with these organizations provides students with professional development, support through webinars, workshops, and mentorship all to help ensure students’ success.

Ambrose M. Price II

Ambrose M. Price II is a Senior Relationship Manager and College Success Coach for UNCF. His professional career in education finance has spanned over three decades working in the profit and non-profit sectors.

He most recently served in various roles in the financial aid office at Huston-Tillotson University. As a Senior Relationship Manager and College Success Coach, he is responsible for program management and provides wrap-around services to students in scholarship programs offering this value-added benefit.

The post How UNCF and HBCUs Can Shape the Future of Nursing Careers appeared first on AWHONN.

In August 2024, Dr. Kandis McLean partnered with Avion Drayton-Bailey and the Trinidad and Tobago National Nursing Association to led a team of U.S. nurses to Trinidad and Tobago to teach AWHONN’s Obstetric Patient Safety Program. Learn about their motivation, preparation, cultural adaptations, and team dynamics, especially if you’d like to take your nursing skills abroad. This episode highlights the importance of global collaboration in maternal health with the shared goal of reducing maternal mortality rates.

Avion Drayton-Bailey, B.Sc.N. Admin; RN; RPN 

Avion Drayton-Bailey has been a Registered Nurse for more than 20 years with five years of experience as Registered Psychiatric Nurse. She’s currently the First Vice President of the Trinidad and Tobago National Nursing Association and Region IV Director of the Caribbean Nurses Organization. Previously, she was a cardiology nurse manager at Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex and worked offshore for three years as a Vessel Registered Nurse/Medic on various Dive Sea Vessels.

Avion’s mantra is “Be the change you want to see.” She’s a servant leader that has coordinated and planned various events for the North Central Regional Health Authority; Lions Club of Trinidad and Tobago; Joint Trade Union Movement (Leadership Council), and the Trinidad and Tobago National Nursing Association.

Ms. Drayton-Bailey is a part-time lecturer at the University of Trinidad and Tobago, she’s taught courses at the University of the West Indies and owns and manages Avion’s Events and Catering Services. She can be found every Thursday on I95.5 FM where she co-hosts the weekly nursing programme “TTNNA Talks!”

Katrina J. Johnson, MSN/Ed, RN 

Katrina Johnson has served in the roles of nurse manager, assistant nurse manager/educator and simulation coordinator in women’s and perinatal health.

Katrina is a passionate, committed patient advocate of women and newborns by supporting them through equitable, culturally sensitive care. She actively promotes healthcare equity and best practices to improve the outcomes of underrepresented mothers and their newborns through education and advocacy.

Katrina has been an AWHONN member for over 15+ years. She’s currently a perinatal safety nurse, AWHONN intermediate and advanced fetal monitoring instructor/mentor, Neonatal Resuscitation, BLS instructor and TeamSTEPPS master trainer.

Ashley Rainey, MSN, RNC-OB, IAP 

Ashley Rainey has a deep-seated passion for perinatal care and is currently the Clinical Director for the Women, Children, and Families Commission for the State of Indiana. She performs various functions to promote clinical practice throughout the commission and for the 75 delivery facilities in the state.

Ashley is an esteemed member of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society, alumna of the 2019 Maternal-Child Nursing Leadership Academy cohort, and involved with AWHONN nationally and locally. She’s currently seeking her PhD in Nursing Research student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Dr. K. McLean, DNP, FNP-C, RNC-OB, RNC-MNN, C-EFM, CHSE, NEA-BC

Dr. Kandis McLean is a maternal health nurse executive with over a decade of high-risk maternal child health inpatient experience. She’s a content consultant for the National League of Nursing and National Certification Corporation. As the Director of Nursing for Planned Parenthood of Greater New York, she covers over eight sites across three regions.

Dr. McLean has been a clinical adjunct for maternal health simulation at Nassau Community College since 2021 and provides obstetrical care as a Family Nurse Practitioner for Columbia University. She’s a certified healthcare simulation educator and certified in inpatient obstetrics and maternal newborn nursing. Dr. McLean’s commitment is to ensure delivery of equitable, quality care with affordable access, and foster the growth of the nursing pipeline through nursing and community education.

Dr. McLean is on the New York Department of Health Maternal Morbidity Task Force (2023-2026) to actively reduce maternal morbidity by conducting research focused on vulnerable birthing patients with mental health and substance use disorders in the community.

The post Cultural Exchange in High-Risk Nursing Education appeared first on AWHONN.

Our conversation with Dr. Francine Bono-Neri delves into the global crisis of human trafficking as she shares her journey into the anti-trafficking movement. She discusses how health care professionals can identify and support survivors, the psychological manipulation involved in trafficking, and the need for trauma-informed care. This episode also details the impact of digital technology on child safety and encourages listeners to get involved in the anti-trafficking movement.

Warning: Some of this content may be distressing or triggering, especially for survivors of abuse and trauma. Please prioritize your well-being.

Francine Bono-Neri, PhD, RN, APRN, PNP

Dr. Bono-Neri is a pediatric nurse practitioner, educator, researcher, published author, and international speaker. She has served on the boards of ANA-NY, a NAPNAP chapter, and was awarded an N.E.F. Scholarship. In turn, she established an annual scholarship for master’s or doctoral nursing students whose work focuses on human trafficking or anti-trafficking measures. Dr. Bono-Neri has been recognized at the UN, receiving the Inspiring Global Nurse Award, International Ceca Award, and has been newly inducted in the 2024 Class of the American Academy of Nursing Fellows. She’s the Co-founder and President of Nurses United Against Human Trafficking, a global association dedicated to combatting human trafficking by educating, equipping, and empowering healthcare professionals on anti-trafficking measures.

The post Empowering Nurses Against Human Trafficking appeared first on AWHONN.

Nurses who work closely with patients going through a traumatic experience often witness events that can lead to emotional distress and/or PTSD. This episode centers pathways to healing from secondary or vicarious trauma. Our guests Krysta Dancy and Dr. Ashley Winch discuss how to recognize and get help.

Krysta Dancy, MA, MFT, CBD(CBI), Certified Provider Educator

Krysta Dancy is a licensed trauma therapist and certified provider educator with more than 20 years of experience in the fields of psychology, trauma and birth. She’s the founder and CEO of Dancy Perinatal Counseling, a nationwide mental health support system for perinatal families and their caregivers.

As a birth and mental health professional, Krysta holds great optimism and warmth for each person in the birth room. Her passion is to see trauma-informed medical care become the norm and to see providers and patients thrive in the clinical care setting. In her office she treats both patients and professionals for a variety of birth and professional trauma-related concerns.

Ashley Winch, PhD

Dr. Ashley Winch received her PhD from the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Clinical Psychology and is currently a postdoctoral fellow at UCF RESTORES. Her research and clinical focus are in the treatment, education, and prevention of traumatic experiences and subsequent symptoms.

Ashley started her clinical training at the Yale Child Study Center under the mentorship of Dr. Nancy Suchman in substance use and parenting. At UCF, she continued this work as she began her doctoral training. Once she joined UCF RESTORES, she received extensive training in the treatment of trauma symptoms experienced by first responders, veterans, and civilians following significant trauma exposure.

In addition, Ashley was trained in Autism assessment and treatment at Nemours Children’s Hospital. She completed her postdoctoral residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children’s Hospital where she combined her training in trauma and neurodiversity to cater to children experiencing trauma symptoms with comorbid ADHD, Autism, and in-utero substance exposure in outpatient and inpatient settings.

Due to her deep passion for the work being done at UCF RESTORES, Ashley returned to UCF following completion of her PhD.

The post Recovering From Vicarious Trauma appeared first on AWHONN.

In recognition of National Diaper Need Awareness Week and the start of a new school year, we discuss the nationwide issues of diaper need and period poverty. Dr. Tabitha Poole and Lacey Gero are passionate about these issues and share the stats and resources from the National Diaper Bank Network and the advocacy on basic needs informed care. Listen to find out how you can be a changemaker in this space.

Tabitha Poole, DNP, RNC-OB, C-EFM

Dr. Tabitha Poole has dedicated her career to Obstetrics and Neonatal care. She has extensive experience in these areas and currently serves as the director of Women’s Services at a hospital in central Texas as well as a clinical instructor for obstetrics in a BSN program.

Driven by a deep passion for human rights and health equity, Dr. Poole actively contributes to this cause through her clinical practice, leadership, advocacy work, and education provision. As a forever student, she continuously seeks to expand her knowledge and skills in order to better serve and advocate for her patients and the community. Dr. Poole serves on multiple AWHONN committees and is an AWHONN SIG chair and co-leader of her local chapter.

Lacey Gero, MPH, CHES

Lacey Gero is the Director of Government Relations at the National Diaper Bank Network, where she passionately advocates for policies that alleviate diaper need and period poverty in the United States. With a background in public health and a deep commitment to social justice, Lacey leverages her expertise in legislative processes and community engagement to collaborate with state governments, lawmakers, and basic needs banks.

The post Addressing Diaper Need and Period Poverty appeared first on AWHONN.

Join us as we talk to Angie and Kate, two nurses who became maternal health advocates after surviving their own harrowing birth-related complications. You’ll learn what it’s like to sometimes know too much, how peer support for birth trauma survivors can impact recovery, and what nurses can do to save lives.

Kate McMeekin, WHNP-BC 

Kate McMeekin is a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) specializing in OBGYN. After giving birth to her first son at 29 weeks due to preeclampsia with HELLP syndrome, Kate went back to school to become a nurse. She spent several years working in the ED and PACU. During her second pregnancy, she was diagnosed with placenta accreta, requiring a cesarean hysterectomy. This inspired her to become a WHNP, where she cares for women during the prenatal and postpartum period.

Kate’s an active board member of the National Accreta Foundation, a Patient Family Partner with MoMMa’s Voices, and a member of the Colorado MMRC. She’s currently pursuing a post-graduate certification as a psych mental health nurse practitioner to better serve patients with perinatal mental health disorders.

Angela Lee, RN, BSN, C-EFM

Angie Lee is a seasoned nurse with over 16 years of experience. Although she initially started in a medical surgical unit, her passion steered her toward opportunities in women’s and children’s health.

After 1.5 years in the field, Angie embraced the adventure of travel nursing for a year. In 2012, she found her home in labor and delivery at Novant Health-Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. Throughout the years, Angie’s dedication and expertise flourished, leading her to serve as a preceptor and eventually as team lead in 2017.

Angie experienced postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and recognizes the imperative need for enhanced assessments to promptly detect bleeding. As a PPH survivor, her mission has become to ensure all patients receive the quality care they deserve, emphasizing the swift identification of any potential issues.

The post Nurses Turned Advocates: Surviving and Thriving After Birth Trauma appeared first on AWHONN.

In this episode, we dive into the complex world of maternal mental health with a spotlight on postpartum depression and anxiety and the challenges of sleep deprivation. Join us as we explore the emotional and physical toll that new motherhood can bring and uncover practical strategies for the support and care of postpartum families.

Adrienne Griffen, MPP 

Adrienne Griffen is the Executive Director of the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA). It’s a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the mental health of mothers and childbearing people in the United States with a focus on national policy and health equity.

MMHLA advocates for improved maternal mental health care and serves as a trusted source of information related to maternal mental health. MMHLA’s advocacy efforts have led to almost $200 million in federal funding for maternal mental health programs at the national and state levels.

Adrienne serves on the National Maternal Mental Health Task Force and on the Boards of Directors of the Marce Society of North America, and the Mental Health Liaison Group. She also founded Postpartum Support Virginia, which she led for ten years, building a statewide network of support groups and maternal mental health coalitions that have helped thousands of new mothers.

The post Leading the Charge to Improve Maternal Mental Health appeared first on AWHONN.

Join us during National Breastfeeding Month as we delve into the world of infant feeding with two leading experts who overcame breastfeeding challenges. We’ll discuss their passion for infant feeding and skin-to-skin care, how they’ve achieved career success in clinical practice and publishing, and their solution-oriented visions for the future of infant feeding.

Britt Pados, PhD, NNP, IBCLC 

Dr. Pados is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, and Certified Trauma-Informed Professional at Infant Feeding Care in Massachusetts. She provides care to infants who are struggling with breastfeeding and bottle-feeding difficulties. She also owns Infant Feeding Labs, an independent lab that tests flow rates of infant bottle nipples/teats. Her research has focused on feeding infants and young children, including those with medical complexity, assessment of feeding disorders, and gastrointestinal symptoms. She’s a mom of three, including a set of twins who were born prematurely and a full-term baby who experienced bottle-feeding aversion.

Gloria Dudney, RN, IBCLC, RLC

Gloria has been practicing Maternal and Child Nursing for 31 years and became board-certified as a Registered Lactation Consultant following a challenging breastfeeding journey with her own child. As Director of Lactation Services for East Tennessee State University Health, she provides prenatal and postpartum lactation consults as well as clinical rotations for resident physicians in the OB and Pediatrics departments. Gloria advocates for risk-appropriate lactation care with a focus on prenatal preparation for the infant feeding journey and speaks nationally on these topics. Her vision statement is, “If mom’s ok, everybody’s ok.” Her mission statement is, “Make mom ok.”

The post Navigating Infant Feeding and Overcoming Breastfeeding Challenges appeared first on AWHONN.

Join us as we discuss perinatal mood disorders and their impact on pregnant and postpartum people. Tune in to hear about resources available for those in need, perinatal yoga as a coping tool, and foundational support to help parents achieve their optimal mental health status. Our guests from the Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for POC Postpartum Support International share tips for how you can support your patients experiencing PMAD.

Andrea Clark Horton 

Andrea Clark Horton is the Director of the Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color. She’s an attorney and ordained minister and counselor who’s passionate about the holistic well-being of God’s people especially those in marginalized communities. As Staff Chaplain for Women’s Health at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, she cared for the spiritual and emotional needs of families experiencing pregnancy complications, infant loss, and terminal illness in adults. Her work with women in this setting introduced Andrea to a passion for researching and understanding what role narrative and storytelling play in black women’s mental and emotional health and well-being.

Currently enrolled a PhD Student in Religion and Psychology at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Andrea is training to become a licensed clinical professional counselor. In years past, she’s served with the Chicago Board of Education and directed an outreach program serving homeless and disconnected young adults in Chicago and Evanston, IL. She’s also a past recipient of the National Bar Association’s Nation’s Best Advocates 40 Under 40 Award. Her first book, HERstory, Volume 1: She is Strong was released in 2022.

Patience Riley, NCC, LPC, PMH-C

Patience Riley is the Communications Manager for the Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color. She’s also a Licensed Professional Counselor certified in Perinatal Mental Health, RETAIN Certified Parental Leave Coach, certified in perinatal yoga, and a 200-hr yoga teacher trainee working with clients in Georgia and Nebraska. Patience shares her expertise through her blog WHOA MAMA and has been featured on other media outlets such as Vanity Fair London, Vogue Singapore, The Wall Street Journal Podcast, and Military Families Magazine.

The post The Impact of Perinatal Mood Disorders appeared first on AWHONN.

Maternal Levels of Care requirements vary across different states. Tune in to learn about navigating rules, strategies for implementing and sustaining quality initiatives, and effective engagement of staff and physicians. You don’t want to miss this episode recorded live during the 2024 AWHONN Convention with a group of dedicated nurse leaders and an AWHONN Board member.

Debbie Ketchum, DNP, MAOM, RN, NEA-BC, RNC-MNN, C-EFM 

Dr. Debbie Ketchum is a transformational Doctor of Nursing practice leader with an extensive maternal/child nursing and leadership background spanning nearly three decades. She began her nursing career as a commissioned officer with the U.S. Army and has worked at large academic, rural settings and ambulatory primarily focusing on obstetrics, the care of women and children, and leadership.

Lauren Kennedy, BSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM   

Lauren Kennedy has been an obstetrical nurse for over 35 years. She has been an bedside nurse in L&D, Antepartum and a teen pregnancy clinic. She has worked as a charge nurse, preceptor, childbirth educator, Antepartum supervisor & L&D educator. Her current position is Perinatal Quality and Safety for Medical City Dallas. Lauren is also an AWHONN chapter leader for the DFW Metroplex area. 

Allison Rodriguez, MS, RN, RNC-OB, C-EFM 

Allison Rodriguez has been a nurse for 17 years. She spent the majority of her years as a labor and delivery nurse and has worked as a perinatal nurse educator for the last seven years. Allison has taught nursing students in the academic setting as well as new and experienced nurses at the bedside. Allison is passionate about improving maternal outcomes and enjoys teaching and inspiring nurses to grow in their career.

Angela Jaynes, BSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, CPLC 

Angela Jaynes has a background as a labor and delivery nurse and currently works as a clinical educator for labor and delivery and mother baby nurses. Angela is passionate about inspiring clinical excellence and has goal to improve maternal morbidity and mortality through quality education. Angela also has a passion for patients that have experienced perinatal loss and teaches Resolve Through Sharing several times a year. 

Heretha Hankins, MSN-ED, RNC   

Heretha Hankins an experienced professional nurse leader and educator. She completed her ADN degree at Austin Community College then earned her MSN degree with a specialty in Education from Walden University. She has spent the last 2 decades of her 30+yr career in Women’s Health.

The post Do You Know Your State’s Maternal Levels of Care Requirements? appeared first on AWHONN.