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Products are filtered by different dates, depending on the combination of live and on-demand components that they contain, and on whether any live components are over or not.
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  • Contains 1 Component(s) Includes a Live In-Person Event on 10/28/2024 at 8:30 AM (EDT)

    Save the Date for this year's 2024 Virtual Summit! The live online conference will be held on October 28-29th, 2024. All sessions will be available for 60 days post conference.

    DONA International values presenting quality and impactful continuing education to birth and postpartum professionals from around the world.  With that in mind, DONA Leadership plans for both virtual and in-person events.  The annual conference for 2024 will be held live, online from October 28-29th, 2024.  While the live event will offer an opportunity for interaction of participants, speakers, and leaders, the live event will be followed up with 60 days of on-demand viewing of all sessions for registrants.

    The conference will offer keynote speakers, concurrent speakers, a member meeting, and a virtual exhibit hall.

    We invite DONA members and doulas from all backgrounds to join us as we connect with one another in a way that helps make this work sustainable, through education and meaningful relationships!

    Learning and Continuing Education Credits

    The Summit will focus on key areas for professional growth offering continuing education hours for recertification with DONA International and other organizations that accept DONA contact hours. As the schedule is solidified, we will share the number of available contact hours.  Participants will get credit for sessions in which they attend and complete the post test questions for afterward via DONA Elevate.

    The DONA International Summit is one way we continue to provide the highest standard of evidence-based training and education to our members. The core conference qualifies as formal continuing education for doula recertification and trainer reapproval with DONA International as well as most other childbirth certification organizations.

    It is the registrant’s responsibility to ascertain whether this offering meets the requirements of other certifying organizations.

    About Our Speakers

    The DONA International Speaker Selection Committee is hard at work cultivating an excellent speaker line-up.  The committee will be incorporating excellent keynote addresses alongside working sessions in which doulas can develop leadership skills with tangible take-homes that can be incorporated at the local, national, or international levels.

    We’ll be pursuing topics relevant to birth and postpartum doula work.  You can expect sessions to enhance your doula skills, as well as practical business sessions, and other relevant professional development topics.

    To submit a proposal for consideration, please visit our Become a Speaker page for details.

     Info will be posted at www.donasummit.com as it's available. 

  • Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits

    (1.5 CH), Discuss inequities in healthcare based on social identities such as race, immigration status, and class.

    Successful and impactful birth/pregnancy practitioners need knowledge and skills to engage in equitable practices with populations that experience poverty, immigrant populations, and people of color.  There are avoidable and unjust inequities in access to healthcare, quality of care, childbirth, and birth outcomes based on social identities such as race, immigration status, and class.  According to the CDC, black mothers in the U.S. die at three to four times the rate of white mothers, one of the widest of all racial disparities in women’s health. A black woman is 22 percent more likely to die from heart disease than a white woman, 71 percent more likely to perish from cervical cancer, but 243 percent more likely to die from pregnancy- or childbirth-related causes. In a national study of five medical complications that are common causes of maternal death and injury, black women were two to three times more likely to die than white women who had the same condition. About one in five black and Hispanic women report poor treatment from hospital staff due to race, ethnicity, cultural background, or language. Compared with 8% of white mothers, 21% of black mothers and 19% of Hispanic mothers report experiencing poor treatment while hospitalized to give birth. These data reflect social, economic, institutional, and systemic inequities that require immediate action on the part of birth/pregnancy practitioners. That action starts with education about and a commitment to health equity.

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    Natalie Burke

    Natalie S. Burke is a nationally-known speaker, strategist, master facilitator, and public health leader.  As President and CEO of CommonHealth ACTION she works to develop people and organizations to produce health through equitable policies, programs, and practices.

    Natalie believes that to alter our collective health destiny, we must change our language; challenge deeply held beliefs about equity in our society, and accept the role we each play in the production of the public’s health.

  • Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Recorded On: 12/01/2023

    (1.5 CH), Free for Members, DONA Town Hall: A conversation between DONA International and the International Childbirth Initiative Leaders https://icichildbirth.org/

    The International Childbirth Initiative is a global movement that includes obstetricians, midwives, and doulas working together to advance safe and respectful MotherBaby-Family-centered care. Throughout 2023, we added hospitals and birth centers around the world and have worked to advance training and support for doulas around the world. In this session, Debra Pascali-Bonaro and Michelle Skaer Therrien, Executive Director of the International Childbirth Initiative (ICI) share the 12 steps for safe and respectful care, the role of doulas, and our work to improve collaboration among healthcare professionals and integration of doulas into health systems.

    1.5 DONA Contact Hours

    https://icichildbirth.org/

  • Contains 9 Component(s), Includes Credits

    (3 CH), This introductory lactation course takes the doula through the basics of human lactation anatomy and physiology, barriers and benefits, and application. This course is approved for DONA International certification.

    This course satisfies the Breastfeeding Education requirement for certification with DONA International. This course also offers 3 CH for DONA recertification. 

  • Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits

    (1.5 CH) Substance use disorders (SUDs) are connected to higher maternal mortality rates and risks for maternal/fetal complications. Doulas can provide needed support, education, and referrals for persons seeking evaluation of perinatal substance use.

    Approximately 2 in 5 women in the U.S. struggle with illicit drug use. Substance use disorders (SUDs) are connected to higher maternal mortality rates and risks for maternal/fetal complications.  Persons with SUDs often experience disrupted prenatal care leading to inadequate support.  Doulas can provide needed support,  education, and referrals for persons seeking evaluation of perinatal substance use. Don’t Quit the Quit (DQTQ) is a North Dakota grant program funded by the Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts.  DQTQ has supported training for postpartum doulas in an effort to expand community support for and decrease stigma toward rural families struggling with substance use.  

    Maridee Shogren

    DNP, CNM, CLC

    Maridee Shogren DNP, CNM, CLC,  is a Clinical Professor at the University of North Dakota. Dr. Shogren is the PI on the Don’t Quit the Quit grant and working to increase access to care and grow community support for perinatal persons in recovery from opioid use disorder

    Abby Roach-Moore

    MSW

  • Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits

    (1 CH) Epigenetics and the microbiome- important influences on infant health

    Epigenetics and the microbiome may sound like a buzz word in the field of maternal health, but they actually have a very real connection to improved outcomes. In this sessions DONA Founder Penny Simkin takes us through a journey through learning about what the microbiome is, and how it impacts and influences a families health with a focus on the newborn infant. Penny also gives actionable steps to help doulas when working with families improve epigenetic effects and the microbiome.  While this session was recorded a few years ago, it is a must-see for doulas to better understand the science of this important topic. 

    Session Objectives: 

    At the end of this session, the learner will be able to:

    1. Define “epigenetics” and “microbiome”
    2. Explain how environmental factors, epigenetics and the microbiome may harm or benefit the developing fetus throughout life, and even future generations
    3. Discuss ways a doula and other birth workers may help improve epigenetic effects and the microbiome

    Penny Simkin

    PT

    Penny is a physical therapist who has specialized in childbirth education and labor support since 1968. She estimates she has prepared over 12,000 women, couples and siblings for childbirth. She has assisted hundreds of women or couples through childbirth as a doula. She is the producer of several birth-related films and is the author of many books and articles on birth for both parents and professionals. Books include The Labor Progress Handbook (2011) with Ruth Ancheta, The Birth Partner (2008) and When Survivors Give Birth: Understanding and Healing the Effects of Early Sexual Abuse of Childbearing Women (2004) with Phyllis Klaus. Her latest film is “There’s a Baby: A Film for Children about Birth and the New Baby” (2013).

    Besides being one of the Founders of DONA International, she currently serves on several boards of consultants, the Editorial Board of the journal, “Birth”, and serves on the senior faculty at the Simkin Center for Allied Birth Vocations at Bastyr University, which was named in her honor.

  • Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits

    (2 CH), The Racial Equity and Inequities in Birthwork course offered by DONA International is a journey into the intersection of race, equity, and the history of childbirth. This program delves deep into the historical, systemic, and cultural factors that influence birth outcomes for marginalized communities.

    The Racial Equity and Inequities in Birthwork course offered by DONA International is a journey into the intersection of race, equity, and the history of childbirth. This program delves deep into the historical, systemic, and cultural factors that influence birth outcomes for marginalized communities.  This module based course includes and interactive detailed timeline of relevant birth history as well as a video presentation to include discussion points and reflective action assignments.  By embracing a framework of racial equity, participants can use the knowledge gained to effect meaningful change within their communities and beyond.

    This course meets the DEI course requirement for DONA Certification/Recertification.

         

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  • Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits

    (1.5 CH), DONA doulas have a chat with Midwife Jennie Joseph about Black Maternal Health and actionable ways that doulas can make a difference.

    Join DONA Leaders and doulas as we discuss the state of Black Maternal Health (during #BMHW) with special guest, midwife, Jennie Joseph. Today, maternal health mortality is on the rise, and the data shows that there is a clear disparity and inequity amongst our Black birthers and babies.  Doulas, we can make a difference, and we invite you to join this session as we host a casual but meaningful discussion to dive deeper into the doulas role in healthcare inequities. We’ll also discuss the impact of COVID-19 on maternity care, and introduce viewers to the incredible wisdom and work of our special guest, Jennie Joseph, CPM.  This casual, yet impactful conversation is full of guidance and hope.

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    Jennie Joseph

    LM, CPM

    Jennie Joseph is a well respected health advocate for women and newborn babies. A British-trained midwife, Jennie has become one of the world's most respected midwives and authorities on women's health: healthy pregnancies, healthy deliveries and healthy babies. She has become a true advocate for systematic reform that puts women and babies first in healthcare; before profit, convenience and the numerous reasons America trails other developed nations in healthy births. Jennie's common sense approach has won her the attention of global news media and brought her invitations to speak all over the world. Jennie is the founder and executive director of Commonsense Childbirth Inc. and the creator of The JJ Way, a common sense approach designed for women and children. Jennie has worked extensively in European hospitals, American birth centers, clinics and homebirth environments. She has been instrumental in the regulation of Florida midwives since the 1990s and has been involved in midwifery education since 1995. Jennie firmly believes in patient-centered, woman-centered care and works tirelessly to support the systems, providers and agencies charged with delivering that type of care. Until women and their loved ones feel that they have enough knowledge and agency to be part of the decisions around their care and until they have access to the education and support that they are lacking, they will continue to be at risk.  - Jennie Joseph.

  • Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits

    (1 CH), And then she was gone, a panel discussion with DONA doulas and Charles Johnson who has suffered an unimaginable tragedy that strikes too many families; the tragic loss of his spouse just after childbirth. Since Kira's premature death, Charles has made it his life’s mission to save others from the same fate and shares his story and thoughts on the role of the doula in this profound session.

    A Family’s Perspective

    Charles Johnson has suffered an unimaginable tragedy that strikes too many families – and has made it his life’s mission to save others from the same fate.

    In April 2016 Charles’ healthy and full-of–life wife, Kira, gave birth to their second beautiful child. But Kira immediately began struggling in ways that the hospital staff could not explain, even as Charles watched and implored the staff that something was horribly wrong. Kira died within hours.

    Charles was understandably overcome by grief – grief that turned into outrage. He channeled his pain and his passion into founding a nonprofit, 4Kira4Moms, that is dedicated to changing systems to better prevent birth-related deaths. 4Kira4Moms advocates for improved maternal health policies and regulations; educates the public about the impact of maternal mortality in communities; provides peer support to victims’ family and friends; and promotes discussion of maternal mortality as a human rights issue.

    In this session, Charles will share his journey and discuss ways that doulas can make a difference.

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    Charles Johnson

    Charles Johnson, founder of 4kira4moms has shared his story and advocated for change through countless live events and media appearances all over the country, including at the March for Moms rally in Washington, D.C., last year. Last September he testified before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health about the need to pass the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act of 2017  - which, as you know, was indeed passed by Congress and signed into law. When he is not advocating to improve maternal health practices, Charles is busy raising his two sons, Charles V and Langston.

  • Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits

    (1 CH), In this session, Dr. Ebere Azumah, OBGYN will speak to the physician/doula relationship and tangible ways to strengthen it for the betterment of the family.

    The rising rate in maternal mortality, especially in black mothers in the United States calls for us the medical community to try something different. We are a part of the high-income countries and should have similar or even better maternal mortality rates as other countries within our cohort. Unfortunately, that is not the case! A solution to this problem is for us to continue to advocate for a more patient-centered obstetrical model. This model should include collaboration between Doulas and Obstetricians. Obstetricians are trained to save the mother and child, and they have been programmed to think and act that way possibly even in low-risk pregnancies. However, we know not all pregnancies end with a complication; many pregnancies do well. As Doulas, can we help limit interventions without inciting an unintended conflict? This session will provide Doulas with some tools on how to collaborate with Obstetricians and to advocate for pregnant woman using negotiation skills. As medicine shifts to value-based care, there is room for Doulas to step in and become an important advocate for the laboring woman. It is time that we the medical community try something different in other to decrease the raising maternal mortality.

    Ebere Azumah

    MD, ACC, FACOG, MPH

    Ebere Azumah, MD, ACC, FACOG, MPH is the Founder & CEO of Azumah Solutions LLC, a Consulting and Professional Coaching Firm. She is a DONA trained Doula and a Board - Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist. 

    Dr. Azumah is a graduate of Wayne State School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan and completed her Obstetrics and Gynecology residency training from Long Island Jewish Hospital in New York City, New York. She completed her Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Health Management at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts where she focused on Negotiation and Healthcare Leadership.

    She has a passion for bridging gaps between organizations through negotiation. Her desire is for Obstetricians and Doulas to work collaboratively to provide a patient-centered labor experience for pregnant women.

    Dr. Azumah's other passions include business development and providing quality healthcare to vulnerable communities in the United States, Haiti, and Africa. She Co-Founded Blacks and Allies for Global Health Equity, a platform for intrinsically motivated individuals in the diaspora to engage in global health equity dialogues and to provide medical mission trips to Low income countries.