Richmond JCC Hosts Women's Wellness Event
The Jewish Community Federation of Richmond is hosting its “Rise & Renew” event for women and girls. The program focuses on holistic wellness, empowerment, and community building. Such events offer opportunities for healthcare students to engage with local women's health initiatives.
- Employment for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners is projected to grow 35% between 2024 and 2034, significantly faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in about 32,700 job openings for these roles each year on average over the decade. - In Virginia, new legislation (HB 1904) signed into law in 2025 allows certified nurse midwives to independently provide newborn care in hospitals, a change aimed at alleviating maternity care shortages, particularly in rural areas. The law amends a previous rule that required a pediatrician to be on call 24/7 for a labor and delivery unit to operate. - Virginia's maternal mortality rate increased by 130% during the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching 50.1 deaths per 100,000 births in 2021, which was higher than the U.S. average of 33 deaths per 100,000 births. In response, the state has launched new data dashboards to track maternal mortality and pregnancy outcomes to better address the crisis. - As of July 1, 2025, a new law in Virginia (HB 1923) requires private insurance and Medicaid to provide equal reimbursement to Licensed Certified Midwives (LCMs) and Licensed Midwives (LMs) at the same rate as Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) for the same services. This is intended to create a more sustainable and diverse midwifery workforce. - The Virginia Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is the state's professional organization for CNMs and Certified Midwives (CMs), focusing on legislative advocacy, continuing education, and promoting access to midwifery care. Student midwives are welcomed as members and can serve on committees. - From 2012 to 2024, Virginia experienced a 25% reduction in the number of birthing hospitals, from 68 to 49. This decrease has led to increased travel distances for expectant mothers, which correlates with higher rates of severe maternal morbidity and preterm births. - Recent Virginia legislation (Chapters 200 and 201 of the 2021 Acts of Assembly, Special Session I) established new regulations for the licensure and practice of certified midwives, which became effective in January 2024. These regulations outline qualifications, renewal requirements, and standards of practice. - For certified nurse-midwives with fewer than 1,000 hours of practice in Virginia, the law requires a practice agreement with a licensed physician or an independent practice midwife for consultation. After completing 1,000 hours, they may practice without this agreement upon receiving an attestation from their consulting provider.
