AWHONN Insights Podcast

AWHONN Insights Podcast

AWHONN Insights is your go-to source for candid nursing conversations with peers and experts alike. Our hosts and guests offer unique but familiar perspectives because they are perinatal nurses just like you. Join us as we dive into current nursing issues, challenge norms, and engage in real-world dialogue to affect change and drive solutions.

  1. 3D AGO

    AWHONN Insights Podcast: Voces de la Isla: Advancing Birth Equity in Puerto Rico - Spanish

    Bienvenidos! Join us on AWHONN Insights for our first bilingual episode shining a light on the nursing workforce in Puerto Rico. Drs. Danielle Jones, Angela Lober, and Noemy Diaz-Ramos discuss research after the COVID-19 pandemic that focused on a committed, yet overly stressed nursing workforce in Puerto Rico as well as AWHONN’s new initiative to build representation among the U.S. territories and understand their nursing workforce needs through community-led efforts. Listen to how a collaboration with the University of Puerto Rico unfolded that centers the voices of Puerto Rico nurses and informs AWHONN on methods to support their professional development goals. Meet our guests: Noemy Díaz-Ramos, EdD, RN, MSN Read More Dr. Noemy Díaz-Ramos currently serves as a Professor and Researcher at the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, and as Interim Associate Dean of Research at the School of Nursing. She is a psychiatric and mental health nurse with a primary focus on qualitative research, while also integrating quantitative and mixed-methods approaches. Her work centers on trauma-informed and culturally responsive research related to interpersonal violence, mental health, education, and underserved populations. She has published in peer-reviewed journals and collaborates in national and international research initiatives. Angela Lober, PhD, MPH, RN, IBCLC Read More Dr. Angela Lober is Director of Research and Grants at AWHONN, where she advances nursing science to improve outcomes for women and families. A registered nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, she has delivered evidence-based care since 2001. With a PhD and experience as a Clinical Associate Professor, she is an active researcher and dedicated educator. Angela is a committed advocate for maternal-child health, engaging in professional and community efforts to support families. Through mentorship, scholarship, and advocacy, she works to strengthen the nursing profession and promote equitable care. Episode Resources Alvarez, C., & Diaz-Ramos, N. (2022). Puerto Rican healthcare workers’ perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on their role, patient care, and mental health. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 55(1), 112-122. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12820  Press Release: ASAE Research Foundation Announces 2024 Recipient of Sal Martino Grant for DEI Research  The post Voces de la Isla: Advancing Birth Equity in Puerto Rico – Spanish appeared first on AWHONN.

  2. 3D AGO

    AWHONN Insights Podcast: Voces de la Isla: Advancing Birth Equity in Puerto Rico - English

    Bienvenidos! Join us on AWHONN Insights for our first bilingual episode shining a light on the nursing workforce in Puerto Rico. Drs. Danielle Jones, Angela Lober, and Noemy Diaz-Ramos discuss research after the COVID-19 pandemic that focused on a committed, yet overly stressed nursing workforce in Puerto Rico as well as AWHONN’s new initiative to build representation among the U.S. territories and understand their nursing workforce needs through community-led efforts. Listen to how a collaboration with the University of Puerto Rico unfolded that centers the voices of Puerto Rico nurses and informs AWHONN on methods to support their professional development goals. Meet our guests: Noemy Díaz-Ramos, EdD, RN, MSN Read More Dr. Noemy Díaz-Ramos currently serves as a Professor and Researcher at the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, and as Interim Associate Dean of Research at the School of Nursing. She is a psychiatric and mental health nurse with a primary focus on qualitative research, while also integrating quantitative and mixed-methods approaches. Her work centers on trauma-informed and culturally responsive research related to interpersonal violence, mental health, education, and underserved populations. She has published in peer-reviewed journals and collaborates in national and international research initiatives. Angela Lober, PhD, MPH, RN, IBCLC Read More Dr. Angela Lober is Director of Research and Grants at AWHONN, where she advances nursing science to improve outcomes for women and families. A registered nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, she has delivered evidence-based care since 2001. With a PhD and experience as a Clinical Associate Professor, she is an active researcher and dedicated educator. Angela is a committed advocate for maternal-child health, engaging in professional and community efforts to support families. Through mentorship, scholarship, and advocacy, she works to strengthen the nursing profession and promote equitable care. Episode Resources Alvarez, C., & Diaz-Ramos, N. (2022). Puerto Rican healthcare workers’ perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on their role, patient care, and mental health. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 55(1), 112-122. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12820  Press Release: ASAE Research Foundation Announces 2024 Recipient of Sal Martino Grant for DEI Research  The post Voces de la Isla: Advancing Birth Equity in Puerto Rico – English appeared first on AWHONN.

  3. APR 9

    AWHONN Insights Podcast: The Complexities of Caring for Late Preterm Infants

    Drs. Lori Christ and Angela Lober delve into the complexities of caring for late preterm infants. They highlight what makes these babies unique and how early intervention and proper support from clinicians and parents can dramatically improve their health and development. Use this episode to learn about practical strategies, education points, and resources that can prepare you and your colleagues to care for and educate families with the best evidence-based care. A must listen for postpartum or NICU nurses caring for this population! Meet our guests: Lori Christ, MD Read More   Dr. Lori Christ is Associate Professor of Pediatrics and a neonatologist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine, working in both the NICU and newborn nursery. She has been recognized for excellence in clinical care and teaching, including the Faculty Teacher of the Year and the Penn Medicine Patient Advocacy Award. Dr. Christ oversees quality and patient safety initiatives for full term and preterm newborns, including reducing disparities in breastfeeding, guidelines for late preterm care, and promoting kangaroo care. She also mentors trainees with an interest in quality improvement, reducing disparities in healthcare, and health care innovation. Angela Lober, PhD, MPH, RN, IBCLC  Read More Dr. Angela Lober is Director of Research and Grants at AWHONN, where she advances nursing science to improve outcomes for women and families. A registered nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, she has delivered evidence-based care since 2001. With a PhD and experience as a Clinical Associate Professor, she is an active researcher and dedicated educator. Angela is a committed advocate for maternal-child health, engaging in professional and community efforts to support families. Through mentorship, scholarship, and advocacy, she works to strengthen the nursing profession and promote equitable care. Episode Resources AWHONN Late Preterm Infant Resources  AWHONN Newborn Warning Signs    The post The Complexities of Caring for Late Preterm Infants appeared first on AWHONN.

  4. MAR 19

    AWHONN Insights Podcast: Skills for the AI-Informed Nurse

    In today’s nursing world—AI is no longer optional, but essential. Dr. Linda Burke reveals how nurses can harness AI as a powerful support tool without compromising their humanity or wisdom. This conversation centers on shaping the role of ethical, effective AI in your EMR, eagerly streamlining workflows, and better predicting conditions based on patient data trends. The nurse’s role is irreplaceable and deserves a seat at the table to train AI. Health care practitioners—tune in today! Meet our guests: Linda Burke, MD Read More Dr. Linda Burke is a board-certified OB-GYN with extensive experience in maternal health improvement. She’s the founder of Perinatal Solutions LLC and has collaborated with nursing professionals in public health settings throughout her career. Currently, Dr. Burke provides consulting services to federal and state agencies. She’s a graduate of Stanford’s Health Futurist Leadership program and holds an AI certification, positioning her at the intersection of clinical practice and emerging technology. Dr. Burke also earned a certificate in Clinical Informatics from Johns Hopkins and has served as a federal subject matter expert in maternal mortality case reviews. Episode Resources The Smart Mother’s Guide  John Hopkins Clinical Informatics  Stanford Medicine Advanced Leadership Program/Health Futurists    The post Skills for the AI-Informed Nurse appeared first on AWHONN.

  5. MAR 5

    AWHONN Insights Podcast:Leveraging Tools for Trauma-Informed, Respectful Maternity Care

    How do trauma-informed care and Respectful Maternity Care converge to strengthen readiness across maternity care settings? Our guest experts discuss where practice gaps persist and how new and revamped tools support more consistent, respectful, and trauma-responsive care throughout the perinatal continuum. Listeners will gain practical perspectives on aligning these complementary frameworks, strengthening clinical readiness, and fostering systems that prioritize dignity, autonomy, and psychological safety for birthing individuals. Nursing Contact Hours: 1.0 nursing contact hours (NCPD activity available through 1/20/2029) To receive contact hours for this continuing education activity, participants must: Listen to the entire podcast episode. Add episode evaluation to your cart. Access the post-episode evaluation in the AWHONN Learning Center. Claim Your Credit: Access the evaluation and documentation Meet our guests: Shawana Burnette, DNP, NEA-BC, ANLC-P, CLNC, FAWHONN Read More Shawana Burnette is an innovative thought leader with over 20+ years of nursing leadership experience and 22+ years of experience as an OB nurse. Shawana works closely with AWHONN’s efforts to impact cultures of Respectful Maternal Care (RMC), serving as a member of the evidence-based group to develop the framework and toolkit for RMC initiatives. She is currently the Director of Nursing Excellence Programs for Advocate Health Enterprise Nursing, where she supports the ANCC designation program portfolio through resource alignment and strategic collaboration. Shawana has been recognized as one of North Carolina’s Great 100 Nurses, a Daisy Nurse Leader award recipient, and an inaugural AWHONN Fellow. She is an ardent advocate for rightful care outcomes with a commitment to creating inclusive care cultures for all. Maggie Runyon, MSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM (she/her) Read More Maggie Runyon is a nurse, educator, writer, and speaker. She began her nursing career in 2009 and has since practiced in hospitals and communities around the country. In 2019, Maggie founded the non-profit Your BIRTH Partners with a mission to cultivate inclusive, collaborative birth care environments rooted in autonomy, respect, and equity. Maggie is currently pursuing her PhD in Nursing and loves educating, mentoring, and learning alongside nurses. She recently authored her first book, I Thought I Was Here to Help, which chronicles her early career journey and the lessons she has learned. Her advocacy focuses on improving perinatal care in hospital environments through trauma-informed care, affirming nurses’ agency, and community collaboration. Episode Resources AWHONN Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) Program  RMC Train-the-Trainer (TTT) Program  RMC Designation  The Trauma Informed Birth Nurse Program  Runyon, M. C., Burgess, A., & Spielman, K. L. (2025). Attitudes about trauma-informed care among nurse and physician leaders in birthing hospitals in Maryland. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2025.11.005.  Author’s Perspective Video  Runyon, M. C., Irby, M. N., Rojas Landivar, P., and Pascucci, C. (2025). Reframing obstetric violence culture: A concept analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.70323.   Embodied Trauma-Informed Care Framework  Traumatic Stress Institute – Attitudes Related to Trauma-Informed Care Scale (ARTIC)  The Trauma-Informed Climate Scale-10 (TICS-10)     Accreditation Statement The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. AWHONN is also approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #CEP580 The post Leveraging Tools for Trauma-Informed, Respectful Maternity Care appeared first on AWHONN.

    1h 1m
  6. FEB 19

    AWHONN Insights Podcast: Breaking the Silence on Syphilis

    Dr. Helen Hurst emphasizes the rising rates of syphilis in pregnant individuals and pinpoints the critical need for open, nonjudgmental conversation and education between clinicians and their patients. Use this episode as a guide to discuss sexual health, address myths, implement talk, test, treat at the point of entry to care, and collaborate with community partners to create campaigns that will improve the awareness and health of those in your surrounding zip codes. Meet our guests: Helen M. Hurst, DNP, RNC-OB, APRN-CNM Read More Dr. Helen Hurst is a distinguished leader in nursing education, research, and clinical practice. She’s served as Associate Dean of Nursing and Professor at Creighton University since July 2022, where she provides oversight and leadership for the College of Nursing. Her years in clinical practice encompassed being an RN in L&D and women’s health. As a CNM, she provided antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and women’s health care at a community hospital in southwestern Louisiana. For more than 30 years, Dr. Hurst has cultivated expertise in academic administration, innovative curriculum development, and healthcare partnerships, positioning her as a pivotal force in advancing nursing education. Among her notable achievements is being a co-patent holder along with her team at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, for a women’s mobile health unit for use in emergency preparedness. Dr. Hurst is an esteemed member of professional organizations, including the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, and the National League of Nursing. As a nationally sought-after speaker, Dr. Hurst is committed to advancing nursing education, empowering women’s health, and fostering scholarly excellence to inspire and shape the next generation of nursing professionals. Her dedication to nursing education, maternal health, and nursing leadership has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Certificate of Achievement in Innovation, and the Cols. Jean & Philip Piccone Nursing Faculty Development Award. Additionally, Dr. Hurst was a Fellow in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Leadership in Academic Nursing Program. Episode Resources CDC Talk, Test, Treat  AWHONN Syphilis Infectious Disease Resources  Interpret Lab Values  Educating Your Patients  Provider-to-Provider Conversation  CLIA-Waived Syphilis Point-of-Care Testing Options for Providers  FDA Marketing Authorization Enables Increased Access to First Step of Syphilis Diagnosis  FDA Approves First At-Home Syphilis Test    The post Breaking the Silence on Syphilis appeared first on AWHONN.

    21 min
  7. FEB 5

    AWHONN Insights Podcast: Birth With Power

    Dr. Nicole Rankins, a seasoned OB-GYN, shares her insights on empowering women during childbirth, particularly in hospital settings. Dr. Rankins discusses how evidence-based information can be shared by centering informed decision-making for patients. She emphasizes the critical role of L&D nurses in shaping patient outcomes and highlights the significance of collaboration between nurses and physicians. Dr. Rankins underscores the value of patient education and preparation and offers resources to support expectant families and healthcare providers. Meet our guests: Nicole Calloway Rankins, MD Read More Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins (a.k.a. Dr. Nicole) is a board-certified OB/GYN with 20+ years of experience and founder of Birth With Power, a bold education and advocacy platform empowering women to approach hospital birth with clarity and confidence, while championing a new era of maternal care rooted in evidence, autonomy, and respect. She’s the host of the Birth With Power podcast, ranked in the top 0.5% globally with over 2.6 million downloads. Episode Resources Birth With Power Podcast  Episode 241: Managing Mental Health during Pregnancy and Postpartum with Psychiatrist Dr. Stephanie Waggel  Episode 307: Informed Consent Isn’t a Form — It’s a Conversation  Episode 306: Tracking Labor Progress: Vaginal Exams Decoded  Episode 299: How to Protect Your Power and Avoid an Unnecessary Episiotomy  Free Guides to Help You Prepare for Birth  How to Tell if Your OB is Right for You  Hospital Tour Scorecard  The Labor Pain Management Playbook  Make A Birth Plan The RIGHT Way! The post Birth With Power appeared first on AWHONN.

  8. JAN 22

    AWHONN Insights Podcast: Inside AWHONN’s Emerging Leaders Program

    This collective of guests has all significantly contributed to the success of AWHONN’s Emerging Leaders Program. The discussion explores the program’s impact on leadership development and personal growth through its immersive education, strategic networking, and advocacy training. Listen and keep watching for the greatness of these nurse leaders. Meet our guests: Miriam W. Yeung Read More Miriam Yeung is a social justice leader who has successfully fought for and improved the lives of young people, women, LGBT people, immigrants, and people of color in the United States. Currently, Miriam is the lead faculty for the AWHONN Emerging Leaders Program and runs a consulting practice that focuses on helping leaders and organizations spend their resources most meaningfully to improve the world we live in. Miriam led the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF (2008-2016)), the nation’s only national multi-issue organization dedicated to building power and winning reproductive justice, economic justice and immigrant rights for Asian American and Pacific Islander women and girls. She co-founded We Belong Together, a campaign that organizes women for immigrant rights; spent 10 years at NYC LGBT Community Center organizing youth, improving policy and government relations; and built the Causes in Common coalition, a cross movement initiative to more closely align the LGBT liberation movement with the reproductive rights, health and justice movements. Miriam played a key role in developing the NYS and NYC Dignity for All Students Act, supported LGBT inclusion within the foster care system, and successfully advocated for the inclusion of LGB youth in statewide data collection efforts. In 2016, Miriam received the Ms. Foundation’s Gloria Steinem Woman of Vision award. She serves on the board of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, MomsRising and GalvanizeUSA. Raised in the projects of Brooklyn, Miriam is a proud, queer, immigrant, woman, activist parent to two amazing young daughters. Jacquiline Blanco, BSN, RNC Read More Jackie Blanco is an obstetrical nurse and now a Clinical Nurse Leader with a background in economic development and policy reform. She’s driven by a commitment to advancing equitable, evidence-based care in reproductive health and passionate about empowering all individuals through their reproductive journeys with informed, holistic, and compassionate care that prioritizes autonomy and consent. Jackie is always pursuing leadership opportunities that integrate evidence-based practice, activism, and a nursing framework that addresses disparities in obstetric outcomes. Her career is deeply rooted in activism and legislative work, with a focus on shaping policies that directly impact BIPOC and Queer communities. Additionally, Jackie is deeply invested in the standardization of policies, procedures, and best practices to ensure consistency, safety, and excellence in obstetric care. Jackie is a native Seattleite, vegetarian, dog mom, and roller skater who lives with her wife in west Seattle. Elena Jenkins BSN, RN Read More Elena Jenkins is a Program Manager for Missouri Collaboration for Clinical Community Integration, a HRSA-funded Maternal Health Innovation Grant. She’s also Executive Director and Co-Founder of Nurture Birth & Health, an upcoming Birth & Wellness Center in St. Louis, MO. Elena has had a career-long passion for improving the health of moms and babies and has led both birth equity and perinatal mental health initiatives at her institution, striving to implement strategies to address implicit bias, maternal health disparities, and promote conditions of optimal births for all people. She served as an AIM Clinical Champion in the 2022-2023 cohort and has been integrally involved in the implementation of several AIM Patient Safety Bundles with multidisciplinary team members at the hospital level. Elena is also a member of the 2022-2023 AWHONN Emerging Leaders Cohort and is an Entrepreneurial MBA student at William Jewell College in the OneDay program. Elena and her partner have 3 daughters, and in their free time enjoy creating art and spending time with their 4 grandchildren. MioNeshia McDonald, MSN, RNC-OB, CLC, C-EFM Read More MioNeshia McDonald is a nurse leader and educator with extensive experience in women’s health, ambulatory operations, and quality improvement. She currently serves as a Regional Nurse Manager, overseeing multiple OB/GYN clinics and leading initiatives focused on patient safety, operational efficiency, and evidence-based practice. As an adjunct nursing faculty member, she’s passionate about mentoring future nurses through reflective learning and professional development. Her scholarly and professional interests include patient safety, process improvement, leadership development, and advancing high quality, equitable care through data driven decision-making. Episode Resources AWHONN Emerging Leaders  The post Inside AWHONN’s Emerging Leaders Program appeared first on AWHONN.

Ratings & Reviews

3.9
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

AWHONN Insights is your go-to source for candid nursing conversations with peers and experts alike. Our hosts and guests offer unique but familiar perspectives because they are perinatal nurses just like you. Join us as we dive into current nursing issues, challenge norms, and engage in real-world dialogue to affect change and drive solutions.

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