April 30, 2010 (Florida) -- May 5th is the International Day of the Midwife, a day set aside in 1991 by the International Confederation of Midwives and observed in over 50 nations worldwide. In 1992, Florida Governor Lawton Chiles joined in this celebration by adding Florida to the growing list of states and countries that observe this day.
The World Health Organization states: “On the International Day of the Midwife, we pay tribute to the work of the midwives who are key healthcare providers in facilities and communities. They provide the high‐quality and cost‐effective package of care desperately needed by millions of women around the world. The World Health Organization recognizes the contribution of midwives to the reduction of maternal and newborn mortality and renews its support to quality midwifery!”
Special Events Throughout Florida
In honor of this day, Florida Friends of Midwives, a non-profit consumer organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the practice of midwifery in Florida, will host events throughout the state, and support those hosted by sister organizations. On May 5th, The Florida School of Traditional Midwifery will host their annual celebration of the day in Gainesville, featuring special guests Jill Sonke and Cindy Nelly of the University of Florida Center for the Arts in Healthcare Research and Education (CAHRE). Sonke and Nelly have spearheaded arts in medicine missions in Rwanda, the Congo, and most recently Haiti. On May 6th in Sarasota, Florida Friends of Midwives will host an exclusive screening of Guerrilla Midwife, a documentary recently showcased at the Sarasota Film Festival. The film follows midwife Robin Lim along the streets of Bali and into the Acehnese refugee camps of the Indonesian Archipelago, where the midwifery model of care is put to the test, at the epicenter of the turmoil following the December 2004 Tsunami. And on May 8th, the Miami Florida Friends of Midwives chapter will show the film Laboring Under an Illusion, an anthropological exploration of media-generated myths about childbirth.
A Florida Midwife’s Perspective of International Midwifery
No stranger to the international disparity in childbirth practice, Orlando Licensed Midwife Jennie Joseph was the first foreign-trained midwife to be licensed under the Midwifery Practice Act in Florida in 1994. “I trained as a midwife in England 31 years ago and graduated in May of 1981 with the knowledge that midwifery was the 'gold standard' of care for women worldwide,” says Joseph. “Imagine my surprise on arriving in the US in 1989, where I quickly discovered a total lack of interest, understanding or even acknowledgment of the importance of midwives for a nations health.”
Ms. Joseph is executive director of The Birth Place, a free-standing birthing facility in Winter Garden, and the developer of The JJ WAY, a Maternal Child Healthcare delivery model for indigent women. “Today, I begin to have hope that American's are opening up to the benefits of midwifery in matters of choice, safety, empowerment and economy; that we realize that the midwifery model of care can be the vehicle that moves us higher up on the list of countries providing exemplary maternity care for it's citizens, and that truly 'a midwife for every mother' is not an impossible dream,” says Joseph. “A heartfelt thank you to all the midwives - past, present and future and Happy International Midwives Day!”
Midwives have a long and valued history in Florida. The state first passed legislation to license direct-entry midwives in 1931, and the first Certified Nurse Midwife was licensed in Florida in 1970. Florida’s midwives have continued to tirelessly serve the families of Florida and to ensure the continued availability of safe, evidence-based birthing options for Florida’s families.
About Florida Friends of Midwives: Florida Friends of Midwives is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to promoting the Midwives Model of Care and supporting the practice of midwifery in Florida. Florida Friends of Midwives was formed to support midwives who offer safe, cost-effective, evidence based care to Florida's families. For more information, please visit www.flmidwifery.org.
Showing posts with label midwifery students. Show all posts
Showing posts with label midwifery students. Show all posts
Friday, April 30, 2010
Friday, February 27, 2009
Jana Borino: A Retrospective
In Memoriam ::Jana Borino
December 5, 1964 -
February 13, 2009
This biograpohy was reproduced from the program to Jana's memorial service, with permission from the collaborative authors. The service was held at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens in Gainesville, Florida. Guests were encouraged to wear bright colors, children were invited to speak, and the service closed with all present joining in song.
Jana Borino was born on December 5, 1964 to parents Carl and Sue Borino in Belleville, NJ, and was raised in Pompano Beach and Plantation, FL. Jana was an independent spirit who, from an early age, enjoyed music and dancing. Jana grew up along side her brother Carl Borino and her sister Terri Borino-Gordon. At the young age of 11, Jana valiantly braved Hodgkin's disease. During these early years, Jana was greatly influenced by her paternal grandmother, Tessie Borino, who gave her a respect for the birth process and the rearing of a child. At age 18, Jana packed her car and moved to Gainesville, Florida where she met her husband of over 26 years, Keith Gretter. When Jana became pregnant with their first daughter Chelsea, she became a client of the Birth Center of Gainesville, and delivered Chelsea at home with the assistance of a Midwife and some of her closest friends. This personal experience at the age of 19 ignited a passion in Jana for the field of midwifery.
After such an incredible birth herself, Jana knew that she wanted to become a Midwife so that she could be of assistance to other families looking for an alternative to a hospital birth. Jana attempted to enroll in Midwifery school, but her dreams were quickly halted when an amendment was added to the Midwifery bill in the state of Florida. This amendment prohibited any new students from gaining licensure, or allowing them to legally practice Midwifery in the state of Florida. Jana believed strongly in the values that midwives bring to communities and began a crusade to once again legalize the practice of direct-entry midwives. In 1992, the hard work of many individuals across the state, including Jana, paid off when Florida Statue 467, The Midwifery Practice Act, that allowed for the licensing of direct-entry midwives in Florida was once again opened. Jana felt deeply that Gainesville needed a Midwifery school that would allow students to become Licensed Midwives upon completion. Jana's vision came to fruition with community outreach and education, trips to Tallahassee, and many fundraising events. Jana met with numerous state officials to develop a curriculum framework for educational programs under the new law. During this time in Jana's life she also gave birth to their second daughter, Emma. Emma's homebirth assisted by a Midwife only strengthened Jana's commitment to her vision of a Midwifery school in Gainesville. Jana's many roles in her community and in her home were supported directly by the love and compassion of her husband Keith. His continued support allowed Jana to reach each and every goal she set for herself, her community, and her family.
Once the law was passed, Jana brought together a group of strong and intelligent women to form the founding Board of Directors of the Florida School of Traditional Midwifery (FSTM), and soon after these women accepted their first class. Jana was the founding mother and Executive Director of the FSTM for over 13 years. Jana made many contributions to the school with her incredible teaching, fundraising, grant-writing and public-speaking skills. Not only did Jana fight for the advancement of Midwifery in the state of Florida as well as nationally, she attended numerous births as a Midwife's Assistant for over 20 years. Jana also served on many boards and committees of national, state and local midwifery organizations, including as a board member of the Foundation for the Advancement of Midwifery. This foundation recently created a grant called "The Jana Borino Award for Community Development," to honor Jana's numerous contributions to the field of Midwifery.
Almost 13 years ago, during a beautiful homebirth, Jana and Keith brought their third daughter, Tessie into the world. Shortly after that, Jana was diagnosed with breast cancer, which she battled and braved for the past 10 years. After a long and valiant fight, Jana passed away peacefully in her home in Gainesville, FL on February 13, 2009, surrounded by her loving family. Although many of us remember Jana as a pioneer, visionary and powerhouse in the field of Midwifery, Jana herself was most proud of her role as mother to her three beautiful daughters, Chelsea, Emma and Tessie. Even though she was tireless in her work in our community, she always kept the girls close to her heart and encouraged their growth into strong and healthy women.
Jana was passionately committed to her friends. They would all laugh in a heartfelt way when each of them would say they were Jana's best friend...and they were. Jana had the special gift of making each person feel loved, special and worthy. She insisted that each live their dream and find the commitment within themselves to make a difference in our world. Her determination to be a voice for women, children, and families came through time and again in her role as a community leader, mother and friend.
As Jana's spirit leaves her physical body and begins its new journey, we know we will never be the same. Left behind is a legacy of families whose lives have been forever touched by the mission of this extraordinary woman. All of us in Jana's life know that this world is a better place because of her.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Florida Friends of Midwives Responds to the Closure of Miami Dade College's Midwifery Program
Despite strong opposition from the community, Miami Dade College's Midwifery Program to close indefinitely
MIAMI, FL (August 14, 2008) – Florida Friends of Midwives (FFOM), a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the practice of midwifery in Florida is disappointed and concerned with the indefinite closure of Miami Dade College's Midwifery Program, a vital program to the local community and to communities statewide. Despite strong opposition expressed by students, mothers, midwives and concerned members of the community, the College cited tough economic times as the reason for their decision.
On Friday August 8, 2008, the College held a meeting at the Medical Campus to formally announce the closure of the program and return prepaid tuition to currently enrolled students. At that meeting, members of the public showed up to express their disappointment and dissatisfaction with the closure of the program. The College claims tough economic times have caused them to close programs with low enrollment and high costs. However, Midwifery is the first and only one out of over 200 degree-granting programs offered at Miami-Dade College to be eliminated as a result of those cuts.
Students, who had already completed all course requirements to be admitted into the program, were devastated. Some students had relocated to South Florida, and many had already taken out loans to cover tuition costs. "Miami Dade College doesn't understand that we didn't choose to be in this career program just to have any degree – this is our passion," said Melissa Chin Casey, who was set to start the Midwifery Program in the Fall 2008 semester. "It's insulting and cruel for the administrators to say the program was cut because of low enrollment, when we are practically beating down the door for them to let us in. As a public education institution, they have failed this community."
MDC's accredited Direct-Entry Midwifery Program was the first in the country to be offered at a public institution, offering students a more affordable option compared to the programs offered at private colleges and universities. Since it's inception in 1994, over 80 midwives have been trained and graduated the program.
"This community has endured a great loss with the closing of this program," said Tamara Taitt, president for Florida Friends of Midwives. "Many of the women who have graduated from this program have become indispensable to our community by providing quality and personalized pre- and post-natal care."
Obstetrical care in South Florida has come under scrutiny in recent years as the rate of caesarean sections in the state of Florida has increased to an all-time high of 36.6% in 2006 which is well above the World Health Organization and Healthy People 2010's recommendations of 15%. Specifically, Palm Beach County had a cesarean section rate of 39.3%, Broward was 41.2%, and Miami-Dade was 45.5%. According to the Florida Council of Licensed Midwives, Florida Licensed Midwives had a cesarean section rate of 6.3% in 2006. There is also expected to be a significant shortage of Obstetricians in the tri-county area within the next three years.
Miami Dade College is a public institution and has an obligation to the public it serves. FFOM believes it is unjust to close a program that is crucial on a number of levels. To take away this program is to take away one of the only affordable opportunities in this country for women to become Licensed Midwives through an accredited program.
FFOM urges the College to reconsider the closure of the Midwifery Program and also ask for continued support from the community in our efforts to keep this program open.
About Florida Friends of Midwives
Florida Friends of Midwives is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to promoting the Midwives Model of Care and supporting the practice of midwifery in Florida. Florida Friends of Midwives was formed to support midwives who offer safe, cost-effective, evidence based care to Florida's families. For more information, please visit www.flmidwifery.org.
MIAMI, FL (August 14, 2008) – Florida Friends of Midwives (FFOM), a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the practice of midwifery in Florida is disappointed and concerned with the indefinite closure of Miami Dade College's Midwifery Program, a vital program to the local community and to communities statewide. Despite strong opposition expressed by students, mothers, midwives and concerned members of the community, the College cited tough economic times as the reason for their decision.
On Friday August 8, 2008, the College held a meeting at the Medical Campus to formally announce the closure of the program and return prepaid tuition to currently enrolled students. At that meeting, members of the public showed up to express their disappointment and dissatisfaction with the closure of the program. The College claims tough economic times have caused them to close programs with low enrollment and high costs. However, Midwifery is the first and only one out of over 200 degree-granting programs offered at Miami-Dade College to be eliminated as a result of those cuts.
Students, who had already completed all course requirements to be admitted into the program, were devastated. Some students had relocated to South Florida, and many had already taken out loans to cover tuition costs. "Miami Dade College doesn't understand that we didn't choose to be in this career program just to have any degree – this is our passion," said Melissa Chin Casey, who was set to start the Midwifery Program in the Fall 2008 semester. "It's insulting and cruel for the administrators to say the program was cut because of low enrollment, when we are practically beating down the door for them to let us in. As a public education institution, they have failed this community."
MDC's accredited Direct-Entry Midwifery Program was the first in the country to be offered at a public institution, offering students a more affordable option compared to the programs offered at private colleges and universities. Since it's inception in 1994, over 80 midwives have been trained and graduated the program.
"This community has endured a great loss with the closing of this program," said Tamara Taitt, president for Florida Friends of Midwives. "Many of the women who have graduated from this program have become indispensable to our community by providing quality and personalized pre- and post-natal care."
Obstetrical care in South Florida has come under scrutiny in recent years as the rate of caesarean sections in the state of Florida has increased to an all-time high of 36.6% in 2006 which is well above the World Health Organization and Healthy People 2010's recommendations of 15%. Specifically, Palm Beach County had a cesarean section rate of 39.3%, Broward was 41.2%, and Miami-Dade was 45.5%. According to the Florida Council of Licensed Midwives, Florida Licensed Midwives had a cesarean section rate of 6.3% in 2006. There is also expected to be a significant shortage of Obstetricians in the tri-county area within the next three years.
Miami Dade College is a public institution and has an obligation to the public it serves. FFOM believes it is unjust to close a program that is crucial on a number of levels. To take away this program is to take away one of the only affordable opportunities in this country for women to become Licensed Midwives through an accredited program.
FFOM urges the College to reconsider the closure of the Midwifery Program and also ask for continued support from the community in our efforts to keep this program open.
About Florida Friends of Midwives
Florida Friends of Midwives is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to promoting the Midwives Model of Care and supporting the practice of midwifery in Florida. Florida Friends of Midwives was formed to support midwives who offer safe, cost-effective, evidence based care to Florida's families. For more information, please visit www.flmidwifery.org.
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