UAMS celebrates first nurse-midwifery cohort in Little Rock history
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences recognized its inaugural nurse-midwifery class Wednesday in Little Rock. The milestone introduces the first educational program of its kind across the entire state. Nursing professionals gathered to honor the initial group of enrolled students. These students are preparing to become certified nurse-midwives to help maternal and infant health.
Midwives provide health care for women through pregnancy, labor, delivery and the postpartum period. Miranda Hays joined the inaugural class following her own positive experiences as a mother.
“Just the care that I received when I switched over to the midwives. It just made me realize that there was a whole other outlet there,” Hays said.
Hays hopes to expand access to that care for women across Arkansas. The master’s degree program requires two and a half years of study. Officials developed the degree to help lower high maternal and infant death rates statewide.
Sydney Foust also joined the group after giving birth. Her passion for maternal medicine grew quickly in Little Rock.
“I was very passionate. I was very on fire about women’s health and labor and delivery. Especially after having my first kid,” Foust said.
Foust applied because she wants to improve regional maternal health care. She noted that people often hold outdated views about midwifery work.
“Everybody just has this kind of outdated view of what midwifery is. So, we have a lot of weight to pull to show Arkansas what it can be. But I think it has really good potential,” Foust said.
A university nursing division delivers clinical training and advanced degrees for medical fields. Programs guide registered nurses toward advanced certifications. Faculty members oversee classroom coursework and practical clinical rotations.
Leaders at the UAMS College of Nursing expect the track to keep growing. The school plans to admit about six new students each January in Little Rock.
