In celebration of National Midwifery Week and the 2016 “Let Our Stories Move You to Answer the Call” Digital Summit, we will be sharing special stories from Kitty Ernst herself. Every morning around 8:00 a.m. ET, we will be sharing a new video on this page with one of Kitty’s inspirational stories. We hope her messages inspire you to continue to Answer the Call as a nurse-midwife or supporter of nurse-midwifery care.

The number of midwifery-led birth centers has increased 65% in the past eight years and the hope is that this model of care will continue to grow. Get a glimpse into a typical day at a midwifery-led birth center by taking a virtual tour. Hear the heartwarming stories of families who chose birth center care and from nurse-midwives and birth center leaders on the importance of increasing care options for women and families.

Birth centers are the heart of midwifery and protecting, and honoring and nurturing birth centers is key for advancing midwifery care. Hear the inspiring story of FNU graduate Tracy Ryan as she shares the challenges and triumphs encountered throughout her journey as a certified nurse-midwife supporting the birth center model of care. All midwives can unite and find their place in supporting birth centers whether it be through advocating for birth centers, working in a birth center, advancing research and clinical practice for this model of care or actually playing a role in opening a birth center in your community. We hope Tracy's story will help you grow closer to finding your place in moving the heart of midwifery forward.