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By Kayleen Schenk
UNM Nurse-Midwifery Gains Notable Ranking
The University of New Mexico College of Nursing has once again secured its position as a leader in health care education with its Master of Science in Nursing Nurse-Midwifery program ranking 11th in the nation by U.S. News and World Report's 2025 edition of America’s Best Graduate Schools. This prestigious recognition underscores the College's commitment to excellence in educating health care professionals who are equipped to address the unique needs of diverse communities.
“This ranking for the Nurse-Midwifery program is a testament to the dedication, scholarly curiosity, and passion for community modeled by UNM’s nurse-midwives and midwifery students."
“This ranking for the Nurse-Midwifery program is a testament to the dedication, scholarly curiosity, and passion for community modeled by UNM’s nurse-midwives and midwifery students,” says Felina Ortiz, DNP, RN, CNM, FACNM, interim Nurse-Midwifery program coordinator. She, along with the entire program, is committed to creating a program for New Mexico; to recognize rich, dynamic cultural practices in birthwork, helping families achieve their health care goals, and providing care to patients from both rural and municipal communities.
The College’s Nurse-Midwifery program is prepared to continue its legacy of educating well-rounded, compassionate students in its new Doctor in Nursing Practice Nurse-Midwifery program, which is why they received the Advancing Midwifery Outcomes and Resiliency (AMOR) grant totaling $4 million over four years through the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Maternity Care Nursing Workforce Expansion (MatCare) Program. Over 70% of the grant is intended to go to students for stipends and academic support. The grant focuses on increasing the number of diverse nurse-midwives in New Mexico, enhancing community partnerships and preparing students to address a broader range of maternal health care needs. A second grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation has helped the UNM Midwifery program expand their efforts to build and strengthen collaboration with birthworkers throughout the state.
Additionally, the college received an impactful and generous donation from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico of $1.6 million, of which $500,000 has been utilized to establish the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico Endowed Nursing Professorship, which aims to expand work related to midwifery, perinatal, maternal/child, and women’s health. This endowed professorship will greatly assist in securing a new midwifery program coordinator, enhancing midwifery student education by bringing skilled educators into the curriculum.
“This program forges true leaders in nurse-midwifery and I am ecstatic that it has earned such a notable ranking. These rankings signify not only the hard work and dedication that our faculty, staff, students and community partners consistently bring the College, but it also speaks to the legacy of this program in New Mexico."
“This program forges true leaders in nurse-midwifery and I am ecstatic that it has earned such a notable ranking. These rankings signify not only the hard work and dedication that our faculty, staff, students and community partners consistently bring the College, but it also speaks to the legacy of this program in New Mexico,” says Carolyn Montoya, PhD, RN, PNP-PC, FAANP, FAAN.
In essence, UNM's Nurse-Midwifery program is not just about producing skilled midwives; it's about fostering agents of change who are committed to advancing nursing. As the program continues to thrive and evolve, it will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the future of maternal health care delivery in New Mexico and beyond.
Applications for the Doctor of Nursing Practice and Post-Graduate Certificate in Nurse-Midwifery open August 15, 2024. Accepted students are eligible financial support through the HRSA AMOR grant and other financial aid opportunities.
Click here for more information about the Nurse-Midwifery program.