News

July 2001

Class of 2001: Completion Ceremony
On June 30th approximately 100 people witnessed the celebration of completion of the first KU Bistate Midwifery graduates. A wonderful address to the students from Sr. Jeanne Meurer highlighted the need to listen to women we care for, as well as to listen to the wisdom and spirit of our founding midwife sisters. A blessing of the hands was led individually for each student with a special person (persons) involved in the "washing" with oil and commitment to use the power of their hands to assist women in their care. The class of 2001 presented the KU School of Nursing with a sculpted bust of a woman embracing her newborn child to be placed in the SON building. A slide show of the first class events and training, accompanied by vocal talents of F.J. VanAnne, Annette's husband was wonderfully received. The second class of midwifery students demonstrated support of their student midwifery colleagues as represented by Jeanne Schroeder, Kelly Fritz and Suzanne Bentley. A rose and hard copy of Anne Geddes "photos" of babies was presented by class two to each of the five students. We wish all of Class 01 a fabulous future as pioneers of our Bi state program! Congratulations to: Kimberly Negrete, Barbara Parker, Annette VanAnne, Heidi Wade and Jacki Witt.
National ACC Certifying Exam
On June 29th, three KU students and three midwifery candidates from other programs took the national board-certifying exam at KU School of Nursing. We wish them well as they anxiously anticipate notification within the next 6 weeks. The next certifying exam date for the ACNM board exam is in October.
Class 02
Class two has been off and running, delivering a total of 4 babies already, and becoming involved earlier in all phases of learning midwifery practices. As this intensive 10-week summer class focusing on Antepartum care comes to an end, a short breather will follow before starting a fall semester of Intrapartum and Newborn Midwifery courses. Learning about electronic fetal monitoring and doula tricks for supporting women in labor have been topics added prior to initiating Intrapartum to enable earlier involvement and comfort for students with less experience in working with laboring patients from the beginning of the midwifery program.
Legislative News Go on to the ACNM website (http://www.acnm.org) and send letters of reminders, thank-you's, or FYI's to your representatives about 95% reimbursement for Medicare for CNM's. WE all need to keep this issue current and in-front of all Congress (persons) to receive this recognition in 2001. Also, look for state initiatives to lobby for 100% Medicaid reimbursement for CNM's and all APN's in Kansas (the current rate is 75%). We need everyone's help to argue why this is a problem, and how it must change.

Don't forget to log on to the midwifery chat board and get into the dialogue!