The Association of Midwifery Educators (AME) has grown out of the work of the Outreach to Educators Project (OTEP) in response to the need for midwifery educators to network with each other toward creating strong connections and collaborations.
In October 2006, at the Midwives Alliance of North American (MANA) conference in Baltimore, Maryland, a group of midwifery educators and supporters came together to identify the need and the goals of such an organization. At this historic meeting AME was born and from that time forward the organization has undertaken the mission of advancing direct-entry midwifery education by strengthening schools and supporting teachers through connection, collaboration and coordination.
Since 2006 some of the accomplishments of AME include:
- The creation and distribution of Giving Birth to Midwives, a periodic bulletin for midwifery educators and schools;
- Educator workshops at MANA conferences beginning in 2008;
- The Peer Review Research Journal Project to explore the need and desirability of an out of hospital specific midwifery research journal;
- Participation in the first Midwifery Educators’ Forum held in May, 2009 on the topic of post-secondary midwifery programs and facilitating the follow-up action items and research identified at that meeting;
- Collaboration with MEAC to submit a grant proposal to the Transforming Birth Fund to support three additional Midwifery Educators’ Forums; and
- Remodeling of the AME website to provide greater functionality and resources for members.
The work of advancing midwifery education and creating the opportunity for instructors, preceptors and school administrators to exchange ideas and make vital contacts is essential. Join us in this work.
Become a member today!