About Us
On August 30th – September 1st, approximately 132 attendees converged in Greensboro, NC for the 16th Annual Perinatal Partnership Conference, “Two States Caring and Sharing”. Conference attendees were inspired by the keynote speakers for the conference were Merry-K Moos, FNP, Judith Burgis, MD, Laura Noonan, MD, Theresa Blount, RN, Rachel Houchins, MD, and Pam Collins, MSN.
Our opening plenary speaker, Merry-K Moos, reminded us that we (perinatal providers) are the voices for the voices that are often unheard. She encouraged us to reframe reproductive health to women’s health, meaning we must look at pregnancy as a healthy state that requires surveillance. As perinatal providers we must help women to be healthy prior to pregnancy because healthy women will have healthy outcomes. Ms. Moos recommended that we use an integrated continuum model that builds on a continuum, has an emphasis on health promotion throughout the lifespan, has an emphasis on primary and secondary disease prevention, and has an emphasis on the woman, first, rather than her reproductive status.
For the remainder of the conference, attendees were inspired by other plenary speakers by discussing:
- The true impact on families and society when we review maternal morbidity and mortality data,
- The impact of diabetes on a woman’s journey to have a healthy birth,
- The issue of substance abuse during pregnancy,
- The differences between generations and its impact on the nursing profession.
In addition to the plenary speakers, local speakers highlighted best practices during the concurrent session on topics, such as, using simulation in education, promoting and supporting breastfeeding, and contraceptive dilemmas and challenges. Many thanks go to those who provided poster presentations which highlighted perinatal health research across the Carolinas.
During our annual NC Perinatal Association Awards and Business luncheon, individuals and organizations were recognized for their work in helping women and children have a healthy pregnancy outcome or to support women during and after their pregnancy. A list and summary of the 2009 Baby Bootie Award recipients is provided on the Education page. If you are a NCPA member and want to receive a copy of the documents discussed during the business meeting, please contact me.
The conference planning committee is commended for planning and coordinating an exceptional conference! Please mark your calendars for September 26 – 28, 2010 for the 17th Annual Perinatal Partnership Conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina!
Stay tuned to our website! Visit often! Share with others! I encourage you to send any perinatal news, updates, suggestions, or web sites links for resource page you may have to tara.owens@duke.edu or call me at 919-684-2648.
Tara Owens Shuler, M.Ed., LCCE, FACCE
President