Our nation’s maternity care system fails to provide many childbearing people and newborns with equitable, accessible, respectful, safe, effective, and affordable care. More people die per capita from pregnancy and childbirth in the United States than in any other high-income country in the world. New York State’s maternity care system fails spectacularly, ranking well behind many other states, and in particular is failing those communities struggling with the burden of structural inequities due to racism and other forms of disadvantage, including Black, Indigenous, People of Color; those in rural communities, and people with low incomes.

Research shows that there are specific care models that can make a concrete difference in improving maternity care quality and producing better outcomes. One of these is the care provided in community birth settings, the term increasingly used for both birth center and home birth care. Such care is almost exclusively led by midwives, in particular by Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs), whose education is tailored to professional practice within these settings. Research has also shown that the risk of perinatal, maternal and neonatal mortality are lowest when midwifery is well integrated into the healthcare system. In recognition of this, 37 states provide a pathway to CPM licensure. Sadly, New York is not one of these states.

We, the undersigned, support the creation of a path to licensure for Certified Professional Midwives. CPMs meet needs in their communities around the nation, and can do so in New York State. CPMs fill gaps in maternity care deserts. They provide culturally competent, individualized care and help reduce maternal mortality and morbidity disparities. State college systems are well positioned to open CPM educational programs, as has been done in other states, but they cannot do so until NY CPM licensure is enacted. There is no more time to waste – the NYS Legislature needs to move forward by passing the bills A4819A/S310A and provide a pathway for licensure of Certified Professional Midwives in New York State. 

Officials and Groups Supporting the Certified Professional Midwife Licensing Bill  

Legislators

1. Deborah Cody, Onondaga County Legislator

2. Maurice Brown, Legislator, Onondaga County Legislature

3. Nodesia Hernandez, Honorable Onondaga County Legislator

Healthcare Professionals 

1. Abigail Taylor, Doula, Midwifery student, Mirabelle Birth Services

2. Aelis Rivera, FSD, CBE, CPE, Student Midwife of CommonSense Childbirth School of Midwifery, The Birth Mamas Doula and Photography Services

3. Aida Alfonzo, Student Midwife of CommonSense Childbirth School of Midwifery, Innatus Birth

4. Alexandra van Inwegen, Postpartum Doula

5. Alicia Suskin, LLC, Birth and Postpartum Doula

6. Alison Boissonnas, Birth and Postpartum Doula

7. Alyssa Figureo, Student Midwife of CommonSense Childbirth School of Midwifery 

8. Ana M. Solano, Full Spectrum Doula, Sacred Womb Passage, LLC

9. Anastasiia Kot, RN, Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator

10. Anne Stowers, RN, Retired Labor and Delivery Nurse

11. Annie Murray, RN

12. April Ward, DM, CNM, September Hill Midwifery

13. Asia Barry, Doula

14. Assata Bey, Full Spectrum Doula and Lactation Educator, Sankofa reproductive health and healing center, Founder of Power Doula

15. Asteir Bey, RN, IBCLC, Community-Based Doula 

16. Ayman El-Mohandes, MBBCh, MD, MPH, Dean, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy

17. Bernadette D Chapman , M.A., Health Educator/Retired, New York City Department of Health

18. Brittany Robarge, Doula, Sankofa reproductive health and healing center 

19. C. Virginia Fields, President & CEO, Black Health

20. Caitlin Murphy, SNM, Baystate Midwifery Education Program

21. Camille Kramer, MHP, Johns Hopkins/Public Health Research

22. Carla Williams, MD, FACOG, Co-Founder, Maryam Reproductive Health + Wellness

23. Carolyn Stafford, RN-Retired, RS, OCN 

24. Channon Jamison, MSed, CAS  

25. Christiane McCloskey, LM, CM, MS, City Midwifery, owner, Private Midwifery Practice in NYC

26. Christine Goldman, Owner, Doula, Educator, Doulas of CNY

27. Dahlyt Berezin-Bahr LM, CPM

28. Danielle Kitt, CPM, LMT - Kitt Massage 

29. Dayna Hernandez, CPM, Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery 

30. Dawn Rosenbarker, RN, BSN

31. Deborah Levine, LCSW, National Black Women's HIV/AIDS Network, Inc

32. Denise Moyer, CNM, CPM, RN

33. Donna Castledine, Retired Public Health Nurse

34. Elizabeth Catlin, Certified Professional Midwife 

35. Emilie Rodriguez, Founder, Doula, Medical Anthropologist, Ashe Birthing Services and The Bridge Directory

36. Emma Loetterle, Birth Doula & Birth Education

37. Estevan Valdes, Doula

38. Gail Birnbaum, RN, Tompkins Co Health Dept.

39. Hannah Martens, Nurse, Doula

40. Hilary Schlinger, CNM, MA - International Institute for HealthCare Professionals 

41. Holliday Tyson, RM, RN, BScN, MHSc, CTCM&H, EdD, Director of International Midwifery Pre-Registration Program, Researcher, Chang School, Ryerson University, Ontario Canada

42. Jacqueline Osuna, LPN, COHC, Guthrie Courtland Medical Center

43. Jaime Thayer, Sankofa Reproductive Health and Healing

44. Jamie Loehr, MD, family practice

45. Janis Gildin, LM, CPM of Woven Tribes Midwifery

46. Jaznea Brumfield, Sankofa Reproductive Health and Healing

47. Jennifer Courtwright, Certified doula, Hope and Grace Doula Services

48. Jennifer Scott, CNM, Lake to Lake Midwifery PLLC

49. Jennifer Seymour, LM/CNM, Cocoon Wellness & Birth

50. Jessica Brown, CNM

51. Jessica Heindorf, Birth and Postpartum Doula, mom of 4, CNY Doula Connection

52. Jill McNeight, Student Midwife

53. Joyce Wilder, CNM, WHNP, North Country Midwifery, PLLC

54. Judith Baldwin, RN, MSN, Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist-BC, PhD, Consultant/Clinical Expert

55. Judith Norman, CPM, LM (NJ)

56. Julie Carlson, Owner Private Home Birth Practice, CNM, Mama Bear Midwifery

57. Kate Downes, Birth Doula, The Doula Partnership - Cortland

58. Katherine Michelle Doyle, CNM, NYS LM, MSN, FACNM, BCST, Local Care Midwifery

59. Kathleen Miller Murphy, RN,CCE, Crouse Health

60. Katherine Paxton, MSN, APRN, CNM, CPM, Tempe Birth Center

61. Kayla Rogers, Doula, CPM student, Divine Lotus Doula Services

62. Kelsey Sanderson, MSW, The Cooperative

63. Kiara Van Brackle, CEO of Wilhelmina Health Solutions

64. Kirsi Jarvinen-Seppo, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine, University of Rochester

65. Koren Corbett, self-employed Certified Nurse Midwife

66. Kirsten Frank, RD, CSPCC, LDN, CNSC, IBCLC, Neonatology

67. Kristen Orts, MSN, CNM, FNP-C, IBCLC, Crossroads Midwifery & Family Wellness

68. Krystal Curry, Public Health Fellow 1/ (B.S.)-Health & Wellness Mgt, Onondaga County Health Department

69. LeeAndra Torrance, Doula, Sankofa reproductive health and healing center 

70. Leslie Farrington, Obstetrician/MD, Black Coalition for Safe Motherhood

71. Linda Meadows, R.N., Medical Massage Therapist

72. Lisa Newcomb, BSW, 200hr RYT, Thrive in Healing

73. Lissa Horning, CPM, Doula

74. Mackenzie White, RN, Planned Parenthood CWNY Care Coordination RN

75. Mary Kuhn, LCSW, retired

76. Maryanne Harvey, Chief, Radiation Equipment Section, retired, New York State Department of Health

77. Maura Winkler, CNM, Fika Midwifery / The Coit House

78. Merideth Geers, CNM, Family Tree Midwifery of Central NY, PLLC

79. Meredith Palmer, MPH, PhD, University at Buffalo

80. Melanie Dempster, Doula

81. Melissa Carmen, CPM, LM(VT)

82. Monica Daniel, CNM, Gentlyborne midwifery

83. Myla Flores, Founder, The Birthing Place

84. Naimah Efia, Mental Health Professional/Doula/Healing Justice Practitioner, #FreeToo Rising, LLC

85. Nakya Thomas, Doula

86. Nancy Kraus, CNM (ret), NYS Licensed Midwife

87. Nicole JeanBaptiste, Co-Director and Co-Founder, Community Doula, Bx(Re)Birth and Progress Collective

88. Nuranisa Rae, Midwife, CNM, NUR Midwifery

89. Octavia Terry, Social Worker

90. Patricia Bagley, MS Ed, AT,C, Independent Athletic Trainer

91. Patricia Burkhardt, LM, CM (r), DrPH

92. Rachel Fomalhaut, Instructor, Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies, SUNY Binghamton

93. Rachel Johnson, LMSW, MFT, Doula, Half Hood Half Holistic

94. Regina Willette, CM, LM, RPA, retired

95. Rosmyn Squitieri, Doula, CNY Doula Connection

96. Sara Philkill, Childbirth Educator & Student Midwife, Catskills Birth Collective

97. Sarah Van Patten, Parent, NY Citizen, Little Light of Mine Doula

98. SeQuoia Kemp BSN, CD, CBE, LE, Student Midwife of CommonSense Childbirth School of Midwifery

99. Sharifa Grant, RN & Licensed Massage Therapist, Sharifa Grant LLC

100. Shaunice Moody, Doula, Sankofa reproductive health and healing center 

101. Shavonne Stevens, Indigenous Doula, Love What I Doula of WNY

102. Shona Craig, PT, DPT, Board Certified Women’s health clinical specialist, certified lymphedema therapist, registered yoga teacher

103. Star August, CPM, Black Midwifery Collective

104. Stephen Achilles, MD, OB-GYN

105. Stephanie Rogers, Residence Counselor, Loretto

106. Steven Gelber, MD, OBGYN Assoc

107. Susan Derby, RN, BSN, CPM, CLC

108. Susan Rannestad, NY Licensed Midwife, River and Mountain Midwives

109. Shyazia Mason, RN, Community-Based Doula 

110. Tisha Graham, CPM, CLC, CBE, Certified Birth Doula

111. Toyin Falana, RN, FNP Student 

112. Trameca Boykin-Campbell, Student Midwife CPM, Belly O' So Pregnant

113. Trinisha Williams, MPH, LM, Haven Midwifery Collective

114. Vicki Hedley, CPM/, CM, Seventh Moon ~ Homebirth Midwifery Services

115. Vickie Patterson, Certified Doula, Lactation Peer Specialist, Certified Maternal Mental Health Support Specialist, Victorious Moms Doula Services

116. Victoria Benson, Birth Doula, Seven Valleys Health Coalition Doula Initiative, Gently Borne Midwifery

117. Whitney Hall, CM, LM, MA, MS, MBA, FACNM, Nuvance Health

118. Windi Muraszka, DNP, CNM, WHNP, The Augury for Women’s Health and Midwifery

119. Yanna Spellman, Student Midwife

Community Organizations (listed alphabetically)

1. Alicia Suskin, LLC - Birth and Postpartum Doula

2. Ashe Birthing Services

3. Belly O' So Pregnant

4. Birth Matters  

5. Birth Net

6. Black Coalition for Safe Motherhood

7. Black Health (formerly the National Black Leadership Commission on Health)

8. Black Midwifery Collective 

9. Bronx Rebirth and Progress  - Bx(Re)Birth

10. Catskills Birth Collective

11. City Midwifery

12. CNY Doula Connection

13. CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy

14. Cocoon Wellness & Birth

15. Crossroads Midwifery & Family Wellness

16. Divine Lotus Doula Services

17. Dr. Shona S. Craig Physical Therapy, PLLC

18. Doula 4 a Queen, LLC 

19. Doula Hustle Birth Services

20. Doulas of CNY

21. Emma Loetterle Birth Doula & Birth Education

22. Family Tree Midwifery of Central NY, PLLC

23. Fika Midwifery

24. Gently Borne Midwifery

25. Half Hood Half Holistic

26. Haven Midwifery Collective

27. Hope and Grace Doula Services

28. Innatus Birth

29. Lake to Lake Midwifery PLLC

30. Little Light of Mine Doula

31. Local Care Midwifery, PLLC

32. Love What I Doula of WNY

33. Love Your Births Midwifery SVS

34. Mama Bear Midwifery

35. Maryam Reproductive Health + Wellness

36. Mirabelle Birth Services

37. National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM)

38. National Black Women's HIV/AIDS Network, Inc

39. New York Farm Bureau

40. New York Friends of Midwives

41. North American Registry of Midwives (NARM)

42. North Country Baby Blessings

43. North Country Midwifery, PLLC

44. NUR Midwifery

45. Power Doula (Syracuse)  

46. Pretty Moon Birth Doula Services 

47. Rites of Passage Professional Support for Birth and Beyond

48. River and Mountain Midwives

49. Seven Valleys Health Coalition Doula Initiative

50. Seventh Moon ~ Homebirth Midwifery Services

51. September Hill Midwifery

52. Sankofa Reproductive Health and Healing Center 

53. Sharifa Grant LLC

54. Speakup doula services

55. Tempe Birth Center

56. The Augury for Women’s Health and Midwifery

57. The Birth Mamas - Doula and Photography Services

58. The Bridge Directory

59. The Coit House

60. The Life Experience Perinatal Services 

61. Thrive in Healing

62. TLC 4 Me Services, llc

63. Unchained

64. Victorious Moms Doula Services 

65. Wayne County Farm Bureau

66. Wilhelmina Health Solutions

67. Yates County Farm Bureau

Other Professionals, Consumers and Members of the Public

1. Abigail Hofland, mother, reporter

2. Adam Frank, consumer

3. Alexis Heveron, student, Syracuse University

4. Alma Horning

5. Alma Leid

6. Alta Burkholder

7. Amanda Kanagy

8. Amanda Martin

9. Amelia D. Hershberger

10. Amelia Lefevre, Business Manager, Ithaca Waldorf School

11. Andrew Derby, consumer

12. Andy Wengerd

13. Anjoli Moise, Educator

14. Anna Mae Detweiler

15. AnnaMarie Hoover

16. Anna Ruth Fox

17. Annie Stoltzfus

18. Arietta Hallock, student, Syracuse University

19. Arlene M. Schwartz

20. Ashley Horning

21. Autumn R. Horst

22. Ava Pettigrew, student, Syracuse University

23. Barbara Hershberger

24. Barbara J. Miller

25. Barbara Schwartz

26. Bethanie Glick, a mother

27. Brenda Hoover

28. Brenna O'Brien Shafer, Gently Borne Midwifery

29. Bria Seals, Data Analyst, Syracuse City School District

30. Bryce Whitman, PhD Student, Syracuse University

31. Caitlin Kline

32. Carla Schreiner

33. Carol Sharp

34. Carolina E. Miller

35. Carolyn Burkholder

36. Carrie Bergling

37. Caryn Gilbert, Gently Borne Midwifery

38. Cashea Ingram

39. Cassandra J. Burkholder

40. Charity Sharp

41. Cheyenne L. Burkholder

42. Chinna Njoku, SUNY UPSTATE Medical University

43. Christine Martin

44. Claire Stoscheck

45. Darlene Hoover

46. David Wengerd

47. Delphine Martin

48. Denise Nolt

49. Diane R. Martin

50. Donisha Miller

51. Dorcas Burkholder

52. Edith Zimmerman

53. Edna Schwartz

54. Elaine Leinbach

55. Eleanor Saunder

56. Elizabeth Kauffman

57. Ella B. Nolt

58. Ella Mast

59. Ella Miller

60. Ellen Byler

61. Elsie J. Yoder

62. Elsie Zook

63. Emily Gutierrez, student, Syracuse University

64. Emily NaPier Singletary, Co-Executive Director, Unchained

65. Emily Rose, Birth Matters

66. Emma Byler

67. Emma Gingerich

68. Emma Sue Yoder

69. Emma Troyer

70. Erla Eberly

71. Erla Hoover

72. Erma B Kilmer

73. Evelyn Alvarez, Bronx Rebirth and Progress - Bx(Re)Birth

74. Fabiola Ortiz Valdez, FCWA

75. Fannie H. Stolzfus

76. Faye L. Hurst

77. Grace Ann Martin

78. Grace Riehl, consumer

79. Heather R. Horst

80. Heidi Harper, Gently Borne Midwifery

81. Irene Burkholder

82. Irene Sensenig

83. Isaac Kinsinger

84. J. Rochelle Martin

85. J’Ana Myers, student, Syracuse University

86. Jake Gioiosa, student, Syracuse University

87. Jane N. Martin

88. Janice H. Martin

89. Janluis Gonzalez, student, Syracuse University

90. Jasmine Thompson

91. Jason Martin

92. Jason Peckham, Mechanic

93. Jennifer Martin

94. Jillian Stephenson, Mount Sinai Health System

95. Joanne Brubaker

96. Joanne L. Fox

97. Joanne Zimmerman

98. Jody Martin

99. Joseph Bennet, DSA

100. Julia Gonzaga, student, Syracuse University

101. Julyanne Rosario-Vazquez

102. Kae’chauna Sinclair, TLC 4 Me Services

103. Kanischa Miller

104. Karen Hoover

105. Katherine Mcclevish

106. Katherine N. Hoover

107. Katherine Sanderson, SUNY OCC

108. Kathleen M. Martin

109. Kathleen Stutzman

110. Kathryn Schwartz

111. Kathy Lou Reiff

112. Kathy Torrey

113. Katie Mae Byler

114. Katie Miller

115. Katie Sauder

116. Katie Stoltzfus

117. Kiersten Lanning, Homebirth Advocate 

118. Keith Jensen, Litigation Paralegal/J.D.

119. Khalid Bowens, L’Oreal

120. Kiara Van Brackle, CEO, Wilhelmina Health Solutions

121. Kim Wolfe, Gently Borne Midwifery

122. Kristine Z. Shirk

123. Laura Eberly

124. Laura Jaffee, PhD, SEIU

125. Laura Miller

126. Lena Shirk

127. Lisa Martin

128. Lisa Shirk

129. Lorene F. Horst

130. Loretta Hoover

131. Lorraine Zimmerman

132. Louise Martt

133. Lovina Wengerd

134. Luann Hoover

135. Lucie Glover, student, Syracuse University

136. Lucy Hoover

137. Lucy B. Zimmerman

138. Luwam Ghebremicael, student, Syracuse University

139. Lydia Kinsinger

140. Lydiann Troyer

141. Mandy Kanagy

142. Marcia Bond, SUNY Upstate Medical University

143. Marie H. Martin

144. Mariel Rivera, ABD, MA, Syracuse University

145. Marion King

146. Marion Martin

147. Marlene Weaver

148. Martha A. Fisher

149. Martha Miller

150. Mary Ann Miller

151. Mary Beth Eberly

152. Mary Gingerich

153. Mary J. Kanagy

154. Mary Jane Martin

155. Mary Sue Martin

156. Mary Wengerd

157. Maryjane Hoover

158. Mattie Garber

159. Maxine Burgin

160. Melanie Rutt

161. Melissa Joy Hoover

162. Miriam Gingerich

163. Naamu Harvey, student

164. Naisha Green, Entrepreneur, Honeylushnaturals LLC

165. Najua Gassant, Speakup doula services

166. Nancy Beiler

167. Naomi D. Schwartz

168. Naomi Stottzfus

169. Neelu Shruti

170. Nelson Hoover

171. Nora Hurst

172. Octavia Terry, Social Worker

173. Pi Lei Hsia, Lei Lei

174. Priscilla A. Weaver

175. Rachel Burkholder

176. Rachel Eberly

177. Rachel N. Hoover

178. Ramona Kent

179. Raveena Faganstarr, Doula Hustle Birth Services

180. Reba R. Martin

181. Rebecca Lesser, office manager, Gently Borne Midwifery

182. Rebecca Miller

183. Regina Horning

184. Regina King

185. Rosalyn Zeiset

186. Rosanne Zimmerman

187. Rosella Hurst

188. Rosemary Hurst

189. Ruth Ann Horst

190. Ruth Hertzler

191. Ruth Borntreger

192. Ruthanna Ringler

193. Sam Hershberger, Mr & Mrs

194. Sara Ann Martin

195. Sara Dawn, Certified Breathwork Coach

196. Sara Hatfield, Gently Borne Midwifery

197. Sara L. Horst

198. Sarah Mae Stutzman

199. Sarah Ogunji

200. Sarah Wilhelm, consumer

201. Savannah Ponticelli, Yoga teacher

202. Serena J Hoover

203. Shakela Sago, Board Member, Cafe Sankofa

204. Sheryl L. Reiff

205. Sheryl Zimmerman

206. Sophia Hutnik, Mother

207. Sorcha Ingersoll, Teacher

208. Stephanie Fitterer

209. Stevie Tchako, Upstate Medical University

210. Susan Hoover

211. Susan Miller

212. Susan Ringler

213. Susan Troyer

214. Susanna Rissler

215. Susie Schwartz

216. Taylor Morris

217. Tiffany Lloyd, Director, Allyn Foundation

218. Tina R. Martin

219. Vanessa Crans

220. Verna Zimmerman

221. Vernon Hoover

222. Warren Martin

223. Wilma Newswenger

224. Wilma Hoover

225. Zayna Hartman, Mother