Frontier Nursing University (FNU) attended the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) 61st annual conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico on May 21-26th. At the conference nurse-midwives and other women’s health care experts convened to discuss ways to enhance quality of care and expand impact even further into mainstream care for women across the nation.

The meeting also celebrated the rich history of nurse-midwifery and called on nurse-midwives to channel their strengths in new, more effective and more diverse ways in order to enhance the health care of women throughout the lifespan.

FNU’s exhibit booth at the conference was a busy place for interacting with students, graduates, faculty, staff, preceptors, supporters and friends. In celebration of Kitty Ernst’s 90th birthday in July, FNU decided to “Paint the Conference Purple” in her honor. Participants were able to take photos in a  photobooth and post to their social media outlets to wish Kitty a happy birthday. Along with the photobooth FNU also had purple manicure sets available for a donation and also offered a variety of ways that people could donate to the Kitty Ernst Chair of Midwifery.  

ANNUAL RECEPTION

The birthday celebration for Kitty Ernst continued with FNU’s annual reception. This year more than 170 attendees enjoyed an evening of mingling, networking and sharing stories. The reception included party favors and decorations, and a special video message in honor of Kitty’s birthday. The evening closed with the presentation of a birthday cake, complete with candles, and singing Happy Birthday to Kitty. Many memories were shared, tears shed and laughs enjoyed as we honored this special woman.

FNU’s Diversity PRIDE Program was proud to host an ambassador essay contest that would send two students with an all expenses covered trip to the ACNM Annual Meeting. Congratulations to the two PRIDE student essay winners: Ximena Rossato-Bennett and Michelle Gragg. These students had the opportunity to attend many education sessions as well as the Midwives of Color Committee (MOCC) reception at the conference. They also had the opportunity to network with other midwives at the booth during the exhibit hours they were not in sessions. The students even shared their favorite parts of the conference with a video post: 

KEYNOTE SPONSOR

FNU was also pleased to sponsor the keynote closing reception on Thursday, May 26 in which Christy Turlington-Burns, founder of the non-profit organization Every Mother Counts, presented on maternal health challenges with Dr. Cara Osborne, CNM, MSN, ScD. Having endured a childbirth complication herself, Burns was compelled to direct and produce the documentary, No Woman, No Cry about maternal health challenges that impact the lives of millions of girls and women around the world.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

FNU is proud to announce that we had many faculty members and alumni receive awards and present sessions and posters during the ACNM conference.

We would like to extend a special congratulations to the following ACNM Fellow inductees:

• Tonya Nicholson - Inducted as new ACNM Fellow

• Rebeca Barroso - Inducted as new ACNM Fellow

• Julie Paul - Inducted as a new ACNM Fellow

Congratulations to the following faculty members for their recognition:

• Kim Baraona - ACNM Teaching Excellence Award

• Katie Moriarty - ACNM Board Member, Region Representative

FNU also had two alumni receive awards:

• Holly Kennedy - Hattie Hemschemeyer Award

• Maj Elizabeth Nutter - Kitty Ernst Award

Thank you to the following faculty members who presented workshops, sessions or posters at ACNM:

• Vicki Burslem

• Judith Butler

• Rebecca Fay

• Diana Jolles

• Katie Moriarty

• Tanya Tanner

• Susan Yount

View photos from our exhibit booth and reception here: FNU Photos at 2016 ACNM Conference.