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HISTORY OF KANSAS MIDWIVESThe first nurse-midwifery attended birth, registered by State Vital Records, took place in the mid-1970s at Fort Riley by Judie Wika, CNM. In 1979, state regulations describing the role of advanced practice nursing, which includes nurse-midwifery, created opportunity for collaborative practice with physicians. Therefore, in 1980, Dr. Josie Norris, Libby Rosen and Ginger Breedlove established The Holistic Birth and Growth Center (now known as the Birth and Women’s Center) in Topeka and employed the first certified nurse-midwife, Joan Denny, to practice in Kansas. This center was the first free-standing urban birth center in Kansas. Now there are four with a rural birth center located in Yoder , KS and two New Birth Company birth center's located in Overland Park, Kansas and Kansas City, Kansas. As nurse-midwifery became more popular in Kansas, midwives began attending births in the hospital setting as well under collaborative practice with physicians. Nurse-midwives practice throughout Kansas under the advanced practice nursing act; hold state and national leadership positions; and publish widely in professional journals. In 1999,The University of Kansas Nurse-Midwifery Education Program was established at The University of Kansas School of Nursing. This master’s level educational program is fully accredited by The American College of Nurse-Midwives Division of Accreditation, 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 1550, Silver Spring, MD 20910. (240) 485-1812. The program now offers a CNM certificate combined with a masters or doctorate of nursing practice degree. For more information contact:  Ginger Breedlove, CNM  Topeka Birth Center
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