Frontier Nursing University faculty members and alumni were proud to present during the Kentucky Symposium for Maternal and Infant Outcomes. The symposium was co-hosted by FNU in partnership with the Kentucky Section of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN); the Kentucky Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Task Force; the Kentucky Perinatal Quality Collaborative and the Kentucky Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
The symposium brought together healthcare providers from across the state to collaborate on how to improve access, treatment, and outcomes for women and infants. The event included presentations, panel discussions, and simulation-based learning focused on maternal mental health, substance use disorder, sepsis, and maternal cardiac conditions. The event included a variety of distinguished speakers, including opening remarks by Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman.
“This year’s Kentucky Symposium for Maternal and Infant Outcomes Conference brought together an extraordinary group of leaders and practitioners to discuss ways to improve the care and outcomes for mothers, babies, and families across Kentucky’s rural and underserved communities,” said Frontier President Dr. Brooke A. Flinders. “It was a true honor to hear from Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, whose dedication to this vital work is both inspiring and deeply appreciated. At Frontier Nursing University, we are proud to contribute to this powerful initiative.”
Several Frontier faculty members, both nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners, presented during the symposium. Their sessions demonstrated the importance of inclusive, cross-disciplinary care teams that incorporate patients and their support networks to deliver continuous and comprehensive perinatal care from pregnancy through postpartum.
Cathy Collins-Fulea, DNP, CNM, FACNM, co-presented the keynote address, “The Power of Team-Based Care in Maternal Health”.
Kevin Scalf, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, CNEcl, presented “Implementing Team-Based Care Models in Rural Areas: How Midwives and Nurse Practitioners Can Help Improve Outcomes and Prevent Hospital Closures”, along with Deborah Karsnitz, DNP, CNM, CNE, FACNM, and Angela Mitchell, DNP, FNP-BC, CNE.
Vicki Burslem, MSN, CNM, APRN, CNEcl, FACNM, held a “hot topic” session addressing birth centers in Kentucky.
FNU faculty member Angie Chisholm, DNP, CNM, also played an instrumental role in the symposium by serving on the planning committee and introducing Frontier presenters. FNU graduate Alisha Morgan, DNP, CNM, FACNM, served as a panelist during the “Building Resilient Systems for New Mothers” session.
The symposium was a strong reminder that we can make a difference by coming together as providers and educators to learn from one another and work toward a common goal. Collaboration is essential as we strive to expand access to quality care, reduce disparities, and improve outcomes for birthing people and infants. For more on this topic, we invite you to view Frontier Nursing University’s documentary, Nurse-Midwives: Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis.
