Mass-AWHONN

10/09/2026

Nurses from Cooley Dickinson, Newton Wellesley, BMC/Mt. Auburn, Baystate Franklin, BIDMC Plymouth, and Brigham and Women’s hospitals attending our conference. We’ve learned about innovation in nursing, vaccine hesitancy and guidelines, heard from AFE survivors, and are going to have a Journey Through Birth with case studies

10/07/2026

Two more days until our last featured presenters speak on Friday about closing the gap and virtual care, and one more day until pre-conference on how to survive a deposition. We are looking forward to seeing you all in Falmouth

10/05/2026

“Preparation matters. Coordination matters. And the lived experience of survivors matters.”
The session addresses current AFE research, the role of nurses in birthing/postpartum/NICU settings, emergency preparedness and coordinated response, and survivor experience

10/04/2026

What every newborn nurse needs to know about vaccines—especially given the changes to guidelines.
Watch Lauren Cardello, MD and Pediatric Hospitalist at South Shore Hospital & Faculty Physician at Boston Children’s Hospital.
This session will include information on many important topics like vitamin K, erythromycin, hepatitis B, misinformation, parent communication, and the nurse’s role in timely newborn preventive care

10/03/2026

AI is here (and heck, I’ve been using its help on our countdown graphic designs). But what does it actually mean for nurses, patients, and the future of care?
This session specifically focuses on human-centered design, innovation methodology, nurses as system architects/innovation leaders, and the benefits, limitations, and ethical considerations of emerging technology

10/02/2026

🌸 Journey Through Birth 🌸
A perinatal case-based look at assessment, communication, fetal monitoring & nursing action
Jennifer Atkisson + Heidi Nielsen
“Every birth is a journey. But what happens when key clinical decision points don’t go as planned?” Their deck specifically frames this question around assessment, communication, escalation, fetal-monitoring interpretation, uterine activity, oxytocin, documentation, and nursing actions.

10/01/2026

🚨 7 DAYS UNTIL MA AWHONN! 🚨
What happens when policies, provider orders, professional guidelines, and standards of care don’t seem to line up?
Jennifer Atkisson and Heidi Nielsen are taking us into the real-world challenges nurses face when navigating competing expectations — and how patient advocacy, escalation, and clinical judgment can help nurses move from “stuck” to SAFE.
Come ready to think critically, advocate boldly, and explore what safe nursing practice looks like when the answer isn’t always obvious.
📍 MA AWHONN Conference
⏰ Only 7 days to go!
Who’s ready?! 👀
NurseEducation PatientSafety

08/17/2026

Hi MA AWHONN,

As we know, maternal mental health has been garnering a significant amount of attention lately. Please see the following update from Mind the Gap:

The Massachusetts Mind the Gap Coalition is a statewide group of health care and community-based organizations, other nonprofits, mental health and maternity care providers, survivors of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) and/or pregnancy and infant loss and other advocates working to improve state policies impacting perinatal* mental health (PMH).

*During pregnancy and up to one year or more after birth.

Massachusetts Mind the Gap organized in 2022 with the support of Postpartum Support International’s Mind the Gap State Policy Series. We successfully passed the Moms Matter Act (MMA) in 2024 as part of the Commonwealth’s groundbreaking omnibus maternal health bill. The MMA established a state grant program investing in community-based programs supporting perinatal people, particularly in Black and Brown and other communities impacted by maternal health and mental health disparities. We are now proud to be a standing coalition focused on a range of issues impacting PMH, from birth justice, to diaper need, to adequate mental health services.

They are now proposing an Act relative to the well-being of new mothers and infants (S.1171/H.1924) calls for a professional assessment for PMADs if an offense occurs within 12 months of giving birth. If a qualified provider determines PMADs were present, parents could ask to complete a court-approved Postpartum Diversion Plan for mental health treatment instead of the case proceeding. The bill would also make PMADs mitigating factors in sentencing for the most serious crimes, and allow previously convicted parents to petition for resentencing if they feel PMADs were a factor but were not properly identified or considered.

For more information please contact Jessie Colbert at [email protected] and see the link for more information on how to reach your state reps!

Massachusetts Mind the Gap Steering Committee Danielle Beasley, Founder, Daughters of Yahweh Community Outreach Jessie Colbert, Executive Director, Mass. PPD Fund Stephanie Crawford, M.Ed, Founder, Propa City Community Outreach, Owner, Belle Joie Doula & Family Services Manoucheka Dasse, Propa City....

06/17/2026

Sharing from Debra Bingham PQI LinkedIn to celebrate her Lifetime Achievement award present at the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses conference. She has been recognized for her significant and substantial contributions to women’s health, obstetrical, and neonatal nursing. Let’s celebrate her in the comments section!