Frontier Nursing University (FNU) alumna Maria Mayzel, MSN (Class 87), uses her master’s degree in nurse-midwifery to bring excellent care to underserved populations in her community.
Maria is a nurse-midwife at Bay Area Midwifery Center, which gives her the opportunity to serve in both a hospital setting and a birth center for patients looking for an out of hospital (OOH) option. Her situation is unique because she works with two very different underserved populations.
First, 25%-35% of the patients at their midwifery center are Spanish speaking, many of whom recently immigrated to the U.S. Maria, along with the Center’s nurses and office secretary, are bilingual in English and Spanish and are able to serve these clients with the care and understanding that many other providers could not offer due to the language barrier.
“We serve a large population of recent immigrants and are able to offer care in their native language. These clients often have no one else to care for them and have found a home at our center,” Maria said.
The second group Maria has the opportunity to serve is local military families. Bay Area Midwifery Center provides a high-quality, convenient birthing option right where they live. In addition, one of Maria’s CNM colleagues is a 21-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, which makes our special military families feel more at home.
“Without our birth center and hospital practice, these families would be forced to travel to far-away bases to receive prenatal care and/or deliver their babies.”
Bay Area Midwifery Center is one of only three birth centers in Maryland, which helps them fill a void in OOH birth options in the state not only for military families and immigrants, but to all families looking for an OOH or hospital birthing experience.
Patients who desire OOH birthing experiences have the support of the midwifery center staff as well as additional support from the hospital if needed. Maria and her colleagues are hospital employees and work closely with the OB Hospitalist team to co-manage higher risk clients.
“I believe our collaborative model works to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction,” said Maria.
Although Maria has been busy serving her community as a nurse-midwife, she has still managed to add to her knowledge of best nursing practices. Since graduating from FNU in 2014, she has received her ACLS-OB certification, EFM certification, and additional training in Limited OB US and First Assist for Cesarean Section. In 2017 she received her WHNP Post-Graduate Certificate so that she could offer even better care to her patients.
“Adding on my WHNP was important because I am committed to providing evidence-based well-woman care to our clients and feel all clients should have the option of midwifery-led GYN care if they are low-risk,” Maria explained.
It is clear that Maria values learning and the impact a quality education can have on a nurse-midwife’s ability to help patients, which is one of many reasons why Maria chose to pursue her MSN degree specializing in Nurse-Midwifery at FNU.
Maria said, “I chose Frontier because of the flexible program, the excellent reputation, and the cost-effectiveness.”
Maria’s entire journey of becoming a nurse-midwife is a result of her desire to make an impact in her community. This is what drives her to continue her education and provide the best possible care to her clients.
“I want to make a difference in my client’s lives not just during one moment in their pregnancy, but throughout the entire journey: prenatal through postpartum and beyond,” she said.
Maria was recently featured in the Midwives episode of The Dig, a regional television special highlighting art, innovation, and undiscovered gems. Watch the clip by visiting MarylandPublicTelevision.tv.
Thank you, Maria, for the care and dedication you show to your patients every day. Frontier is honored to call you an alumna. Keep up the amazing work!
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Frontier Nursing University (FNU) is proud of our alumni who make a difference in their communities and in their field.
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