As the Director of the OB Triage/Maternal Special Care Unit (MSCU) since November 2010, I have always enjoyed the clinical problem solving aspect of advanced practice nursing and working in OB triage provides countless opportunities to use those skills. I work with an amazing group of L&D nurses, CNM colleagues, OB/GYN residents, and attending OB/GYN and MFM physicians who keep the long days and nights working in OB triage an interesting and rewarding experience.
In addition to the wide variety of patient care services provided, being a teacher for OB/GYN PGY1 residents, medical students, and student nurse midwives from VUSN is a very important aspect of my job. Since graduating from VUSN in 1995 I have always worked in academic medical centers so I honestly can't imagine any other way to work other than having students and trainees around all the time! In addition to clinical education, I have given workshops on OB triage at the ACNM annual meeting for the past 2 years as a well as didactic sessions on OB triage for our OB/GYN residents.
I also see patients at the Center for Women's Health at One Hundred Oaks and especially love providing care for patients who are collaboratively seen at the Fetal Center at Vanderbilt for prenatally diagnosed fetal conditions. Providing midwifery care for women who have unique concerns about their pregnancy is a privilege and has been an interest of mine for many years. Supporting women through the joys and challenges of each pregnancy is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a CNM and is very much a part of my role in both the OB triage unit and the outpatient setting.
Certified Nurse Midwives are proving excellent evidenced based care at Vanderbilt and around the state of Tennessee and it is my honor to serve as the president of the Tennessee Affiliate of the ACNM since January of this year. I am looking forward to growth and some important work the TN legislature this year and exited to hear from CNMs from around the state.
Beyond my world of work and midwifery, I am the incredibly proud parent of three teenagers who keep me busy as a cheerleader, personal shopper, and sous chef for the real chef and grill master, my husband. When I have a free 60 minutes or more I am most likely to be found on the trails at Percy Warner Park enjoying the beauty and peace of the outdoors!