Spring It On! 2020 AABCF Challenge
This April, the AABC Foundation is saying Spring It On! Join us on our second annual virtual marathon as we fundraise to advance the birth center model and improve maternity care in the U.S. The setting of this year’s race is sunny San Diego, the location of the 2020 Gala to Grow Birth Centers.
The virtual race starts on April 1st and you’ll have until the end of the month to complete the 26.5 mile route, meaning you don't need to run a full marathon in one go; you can do a mile a day or whatever suits you best. A virtual race can be completed from any location you choose; at the gym, walking the dog, or even at another race. This is an all-exercise race, so you can participate in other physical activities, like cycling, yoga, HIIT training, or whatever gets you active to get your ‘miles’ in.
This virtual marathon will begin at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa & Marina, the location of the 2020 Gala to Grow Birth Centers and AABC Birth Institute. The route then travels around to different parks, scenic views, and points of interest. But since this is a virtual race, you never have to step foot in California!
Race registration is $25, and there are also sponsorship opportunities available! Learn more and register today!
Board of Trustees – Diane Ortega
We would like to welcome Diane Ortega, CNM, MSN to the AABC Foundation Board! Diane is the Administrative Director and Co-Founder of the Willow Midwife Center for Birth and Wellness in Phoenix, AZ. Diane has been a longtime supporter of the AABC Foundation and our mission, so we’re grateful to add her knowledge and experience to our efforts to advance the AABC birth center model of care.
Volunteers to Sprout Change
The AABC Foundation is always looking for volunteers to get involved and join one of our committees, no prior experience needed! The Development Committee fundraises, the Finance Committee oversees the budget, the Giving Committee reviews scholarship applications, the Governance Committee recruits new board members, and the Gala Committee plans the gala. On average, committee members spend 1-2 hours every other month in their role. Meetings are typically one hour and are held every other month on a weekday. Committee volunteers are essential to the success of the AABC Foundation. Join us today.
Beginning with this newsletter, the Foundation Communication will feature an AABCF volunteer in each issue. This spring, we’re spotlighting longtime volunteer and board member Judy Ruszkowski. Judy began by serving on the Giving Committee, becoming the Giving Committee Chair a few years later, and has been on the AABC Foundation board since 1984. Read on to learn how she became involved with the Foundation and what she’s gained from her experience.
What was your prior involvement with birth centers?
I became a supporter of the women's self-help health movement in college. When Birthplace opened in Pittsburgh in 1982, I knew that I wanted a midwife attended birth experience. My son was born in 1991 thanks to the midwives of The Midwife Center.
How did you become involved with the AABC Foundation?
I have known The Midwife Center's director, Christine Haas, for many years as an activist in the feminist community. She introduced me to AABCF and asked if I would serve on the board.
What has been your favorite experience in your time with the AABCF?
Watching the “Parade of Families” of children born at birth centers during a Birth Institute conference.
AABCF Board Member Judy Ruszkowski
What are some takeaways from being a part of the AABCF committees and board?
I’ve learned that there are many dedicated individuals all over the country who are committed to bringing quality, self-empowered birth experiences to women and their families.
Lastly, any words of encouragement for anyone considering volunteering with us?
Learn by doing – make new friends and become a part of herstory!
Research Grants
Congratulations to the following projects that were awarded an AABC Foundation Research Grant!
Susan Stapleton, CNM, DNP is directing a project titled “Development of an Instrument to Collect Birth Center Client Experience Data” and a project titled “Analysis of the Cesarean Birth Rate in Birth Centers in the United States using the Robson Ten-Group Classification System”
Diana Jolles, CNM PhD is leading a project titled “Data Merge, Data Cleaning, and Preliminary Analysis of AABC Uniform Data Set, AABC Perinatal Data Registry, & Birth Center Data from MANAStats”
Carol Snapp, CNM, DNSc is investigating “Predictors and Outcomes of Prolonged Third Stage of Labor in the Community Setting”
Jennifer Wright, MA is directing a project titled “Development & Implementation of an Ongoing Practice Survey for Summary Analysis by the American Association of Birth Centers”
Jacqueline Wallace, MD, MPH is researching “Assessment of interprofessional collaboration at birth centers: Does collaboration influence clinical outcomes?”
Nancy Niemczyk, CNM, PhD is researching a project titled “Evaluation of Consensus Guidelines for Safe Prevention of the Primary Cesarean Delivery in Birth Centers”
The AABC Foundation Research Grant is a grant of up to $5,000 awarded to support projects relating to the birth center model of care. Letters of Intent are accepted in late fall, and applicants may then be invited submit a full application in winter for an award decision in early spring. Visit our Research Grants page for more information.
Scholarships
The AABC Foundation accepted applications for Amy Polk Memorial Scholarships from January 2nd to March 2nd, 2020. The annual scholarship is awarded in the form of a tuition grant to attend a How to Start a Birth Center Workshop. Scholarship winners will be announced in April.
Coming up next will be the Lisa Ross Memorial Scholarship which covers the registration fee for the AABC Birth Institute and includes a ticket to the AABC Foundation Gala, the Birth Center Tour & Dinner, and a $500 travel stipend. The 2020 application period will open in early summer.
Learn more about our scholarship opportunities and join our mailing list. Read the next issue of the Foundation Communication to find out who was awarded an Amy Polk Scholarship.
Birth Center Grants
The AABC Foundation has two grants to support birth centers, the Membership Support Grant and the Accreditation Support Grant. The Birth Center Membership Support Grant assists applicants with 50% of their membership dues to AABC, while the Birth Center Accreditation Support Grant assists applicants with their fees to the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers. Grants are awarded year-round on a rolling basis.
Congratulations to Moonrise Wellness & Birth Center (Mountlake Terrace, WA) and First Breath Birth & Wellness Center (O Fallon, MO) who have received a Membership Support Grant since the last newsletter!
Congratulations as well to Nine Short Months Birth & Community Wellness Center (Southfield, MI) who has received a Birth Center Accreditation Support Grant! Nine Short Months was opened by Wendy Pinter, LM, CPM a member of the navy reserves who has served her community as a homebirth midwife for 10 years. She made CABC Accreditation a goal for her birth center to combat the views from those in her community that don’t feel that birth centers are legitimate. Best of luck to Wendy and her team who are striving to accredit their center by the end of 2020!