Since 1993 the University of Washington has been training nurse midwives to provide quality, evidenced-based care to women and their families in our communities, nationwide and internationally. The midwives trained at UW have not only demonstrated ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of women and their families, but have given women who are at low risk of complications access to safe birthing options outside of a currently over-medicalized hospital-based system.

On December 19, 2011, eligible faculty (i.e. tenured faculty only) at the School of Nursing voted to discontinue the Nurse Midwifery Education Program. The recommendation was made without sufficient input from students, practicing midwives or the greater Seattle community. The Executive Leadership at the School of Nursing including the upcoming Dean will decide whether to approve this recommendation and move forward in the process that would eventually eliminate this vital program. Discontinuation of this program would be detrimental to the UW School of Nursing, the University of Washington, our local communities, and the enhancement of maternal-child health worldwide.

If the process does move forward, an external faculty committee at the University will conduct a review and advise Provost Ana Mari Cauce to remove or keep the Nurse Midwifery Education Program. We ask for your support in petitioning the University of Washington to overturn the decision to remove this vital program. Please send your thoughts and comments to the current School of Nursing Dean Marla Salmon, Provost Ana Mari Cauce and WA State Representatives urging them to recognize that eliminating this program would be a huge mistake!

PLEASE FORWARD THIS PETITION ON TO FRIENDS, FAMILY, COLLEAGUES AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY!

Thank you for your support,

UW Student Midwives