2011/2012 Annual Report - Association of Ontario Midwives

Beliefs and ValuesMission StatementThe Association of Ontario Midwivesrepresents and advocates on behalf ofRegistered Midwives. The AOM promotesthe profession of midwifery in Ontario.We are committed to the growth of theprofession and supporting midwives inthe provision of optimal midwifery carethat is responsive to the needs of womenand their infants.Vision StatementMidwifery is central to the provision ofmaternal and newborn care in Ontario.Midwives participate fully in planningand policy development at all levels of thehealth care system.Cover: Midwife Cheryllee Bourgeois, fromSeventh Generation Midwives in Toronto,attends the birth centres fundingannouncement in March 2011 with herdaughter Ayatisowin.Beliefs and ValuesThe Association of Ontario Midwivesbelieves that:1.2.3.4.Pregnancy and childbirth are aprofound time in a woman’s life,imbued with a variety of personaland cultural meanings, and are bestapproached in a non-authoritarianmanner, providing choice of birthplace,continuity of care, informedchoice and recognizing the woman asthe primary decision-maker.Midwives are experts in the provisionof primary care for women anticipatingnormal, low-risk pregnancy and birth.Valuing and respecting diversityis integral to the provision ofmidwifery care.Effective midwifery care is based onthe best available evidence combinedwith knowledge of a woman and hercircumstances.5.6.7.8.9.10.Midwifery care must be accessible andfully funded for women in Ontario.Midwifery should have a central role inthe development and implementationof a Health Human Resource Plan formaternal and newborn care in Ontario.We must value and embrace the principlesof dignity and diversity in everyfacet of the work we undertake.We must be member focused and workto establish accessible, appropriate andresponsive services and support, whichmeet the needs of the membership, andthe community at large.We must advocate for members’ rightsto working conditions that promotelongterm career satisfaction.We promote the profession andenhance the potential of midwifery tocontribute to the well-being of society.Midwifery expansion in OntarioMidwives currently practicing: 580By 2015: >1000New practices in Ontario in 2011Ottawa South MidwivesVillage Midwifery CareIn 2011, four new practices opened in theprovince. There are now 90 midwifery clinicsand satellite offices in Ontario.Blue Heron MidwivesMidwives of Chatham Kent2 2011/2012 Annual Report

Greetings from Lisa Weston, incoming AOM PresidentLisa Weston, RMAOM President-ElectIt is a great pleasure to begin my term asthe AOM’s 10th president and an honourto be following in the footsteps of the nineremarkable women who held this positionbefore me – their wisdom and commitmentis nothing short of inspirational. I’dlike to thank these visionary leaders for theincredible contributions they have made toadvancing midwifery in Ontario.As I begin my term as president I’m alsoentering my 10th year as a midwife. I’mone of the founding partners of Sages-Femmes Rouge Valley Midwives, a designatedfrancophone practice in Scarboroughthat also provides care in Spanish.Our practice serves youth, newcomersand uninsured clients. I’ve been involvedwith midwifery since the late 1980s – asa consumer, public educator and doula. Ivolunteered with the midwifery consumernetwork and advocated for the regulationof the profession. Prior to regulation, Ihad a home birth with a midwife with mythird child and after regulation, anotherhome birth with my fourth. Over theyears, many midwives have supported mepersonally, academically and professionally;their mentoring helped give me theconfidence to take on this new role.This is an exciting time for Ontariomidwives – we are continuing to growand we are being increasingly recognizedas drivers of health care innovationand quality care. We continue to makeourselves heard and exercise our politicalstrength in Ontario. Through the CanadianAssociation of Midwives and theInternational Confederation of Midwiveswe’re building relationships and supportingmidwifery across the country andaround the world. I’m very proud of howfar midwifery has come.But there’s still a lot of work to do.Midwives have been chronically undervaluedand underpaid. We have beenworking without a contract since March2011. The AOM is committed to achievingpay equity for midwives and workingtoward that end is an ongoing priority.Hospital integration, caps on numbers ofbirths, and restricting scope of practicealso continue to be issues that demandattention and action. I am committed tocontinuing to work on these issues.All midwives are united by a passionfor maternal and child health, humanrights, dignity and equity. When BridgetLynch, past president of the InternationalConfederation of Midwives (ICM), spoke atlast year’s CAM/MANA conference, I wasstruck by the fact that midwives aroundthe world are reaching out to each otherin new and exciting ways. AOM memberswill get an even greater sense of theworldwide community of midwives andthe difference we are making on a globalscale when ICM holds its conference herein Toronto in 2017.Over the next two years, I look forwardto meeting as many AOM members aspossible. I believe that in order to set aclear course for the profession we needto include the passion for midwifery carethat is held not only by each and everymember, but also by the thousands offamilies who we care for every year. If youaren’t actively involved in the association,I invite you to consider joining a committeeor work group. Your energy, enthusiasmand ideas can help us build on thestrong foundation laid by the province’soriginal midwives. Please join us on thejourney – there are exciting days ahead!Lisa WestonPresident, Association of Ontario Midwives2011 Board of DirectorsKatrina Kilroy, PresidentLisa Weston, President-ElectElizabeth Brandeis, Vice PresidentEsther Willms, SecretaryAllyson Booth, TreasurerSara Stainton, South-East RegionKelly Graff, Member at LargeJane Erdman, Member at LargeTracy Franklin, South-Central RegionJane Somerville, East RegionKelly Gascoigne, South-West RegionShelley-Ann Clarke-Dolby, North RegionMadeleine Clin, West RegionThe AOM Board of Directors is an electedbody that is responsible for the governanceand strategic decisions of the AOM.In addition, Board Members have importantlegal and fiduciary responsibilities.The Board ensures that the mission of theAOM is articulated in all of the Association’swork and that members are wellserved and represented by the Association.To that end, the Board develops andregularly reviews the strategic plan.The Board provides financial oversight, includingthe approval of an annual budget(which reflects the resources needed toimplement the strategic plan) and ensuresthat proper financial controls are in place.The Board recruits and orients new BoardMembers and assesses Board performance.In addition, Board Members are active onthe AOM’s many committees.Serving on the Board is a challenging andrewarding activity that requires a commitmentof time, skill and expertise. Thank youto the Members of the 2011 Board for thededication and insight they have providedin furthering the work of the Association.4 2011/2012 Annual Report

Committees and Work Groups (at April 2012)Policy CommitteeElizabeth Brandeis, ChairKelly GraffLeah Klein (student)Lilly MartinBeth Murray DavisMina SharafbafySara StaintonRebecca WeeksStaff Support: Juana Berinstein, SabinaHikel, Pauline MatthewsInsurance & Risk ManagementProgram CommitteeRemi Ejiwunmi, ChairElana JohnsonLisa WestonAbigail CorbinKim Cloutier-HoltzDianne SmithStaff Support: Bobbi Soderstrom, CindyHutchinson, Cara Wilkie, Maryellen BoyesHospital Integration CommitteeJane Somerville, ChairRen BarrettMelissa Coubrough (student)Jane FlindallLynn Hendrick (student)Ann RobinsonJackie WhiteheadStaff Support: Juana Berinstein, SabinaHikel, Vivian Lee, Pauline MatthewsEmergency Skills Working GroupEsther Willms, ChairMary SharpeSarilyn ZimmermanLeslie VietsLinda MoscovitchMary Ann LeslieKerstin Helen-ThompsonMaggie FioravantiStaff Support: Melanie Hartzell, DeborahHorner, Kristina MullenBirth Centres Working GroupTracy Franklin, ChairKelly DobbinConnie FetterlyTiffany FungGeneviève GagnonJerren HelwigRachel Rapaport BeckAnn RobinsonJudy RogersInge RoordaMary SharpeCarla SorbaraChris SternbergSara WolfeStaff Support: Juana Berinstein, SabinaHikel, Pauline MatthewsNegotiations CommitteeKatrina Kilroy, ChairLisa WestonAnne WilsonMadeleine ClinTracy FranklinEsther WillmsStaff Support: Kelly Stadelbauer, JuanaBerinstein, Vivian Lee, Sabine Hikel,Maryellen BoyesClinical Practice Guidelines CommitteeLiz Darling, ChairShelley-Ann Clarke-DolbyCheryllee BourgeoisCorinne HareJenni HuntleyLisa WestonLynlee SpencerPaula SalehiRhea WilsonDanielle Longfield (student)Staff Support: Tasha MacDonald,Suzannah Bennett, Anna Meuser,Deborah HornerHypertensive Disorders of PregnancyCPG Working GroupElizabeth Darling, ChairCheryllee BourgeoisAndrea CassidyTracy FranklinCorinne HareJenni HuntlyPaula SalehiLynlee Spencer,Nicole VersaevelVicki Van WagnerLisa M. WestonRhea WilsonStaff Support: Tasha MacDonald, AnnaMeuser, Suzannah Bennett, Deborah HornerVBAC CPG Working GroupElizabeth Darling, ChairCheryllee BourgeoisManavi HandaCorinne HareJenni HuntlyDevi KriegerPaula SalehiLynlee SpencerChris SternbergVicki Van WagnerLisa M. WestonRhea WilsonStaff Support: Tasha MacDonald, AnnaMeuser, Suzannah Bennett, Deborah HornerPost Partum GBS Working GroupCheryllee Bourgeois (Chair)Alanna KibbeJanis DalackerShâdé ChatrathMargo SeymourKathleen SauretteStaff Support: Tasha MacDonald, AnnaMeuser, Suzannah Bennett, Deborah HornerGenetic Screening Task ForceChris Sternberg, ChairErin CalderAoife Chamberlaine (student)Sabrina ConnorKristen DennisSarah Donnelly-Hyde (student)Diane PageGenia StephenStaff Support: Tasha MacDonald, Julie Toole,Deborah HornerEye Prophylaxis Sub-CommitteeLiz Darling, ChairStephanie AghajaniHedrey ChuDevi KriegerBeverly LangloisSarah RedfearnRebecca WeeksStaff Support: Juana Berinstein, TashaMacDonald, Sabina Hikel, Julie Toole,Pauline MatthewsClinical and Professional DevelopmentWorking GroupSara Stainton, ChairAnnita Damsma-YoungContinued on page 6Association of Ontario Midwives5

Committees and Work Groups, from page 5Abigail CorbinJane SomvervilleMadeleine ClinManavi HandaStaff Support: Melanie Hartzell, KristinaMullen, Deborah HornerAudit CommitteeAllyson Booth, ChairJane ErdmanAnne WilsonClaudette LeducTracy FranklinStaff Support: Kelly Stadelbauer, ColleenVandeyckLeadership Development CommitteeElizabeth Brandeis, ChairLisa WestonRemi EjiwunmiElana JohnsonEsther WillmsStaff Support: Kelly Stadelbauer,Maryellen BoyesDiversity Working GroupManavi Handa, ChairJanette BatacharyaErin CalderShâdé ChatrathMico DevosJay MacGillivrayNicole RomeikoWendy WongStaff Support: Juana Berinstein, SabinaHikel, Vivian Lee, Pauline MatthewIn addition to internal committeesand work groups, AOM representativesalso serve on the following externalcommittees:Benefits TrustKarin Terpstra, ChairEsther WillmsKelly GascoigneRebekah BradshawKristen StevensKelly StadelbauerDebbie DoironDiana DoeStaff Support: Nancy Hanley, Eva TentereJoint Midwifery Advisory CommitteeKatrina KilroyLisa WestonMary Ann LeslieKelly StadelbauerJuana BerinsteinStaff Support: Maryellen BoyesNote: JMAC did not meet in 2011 due tosuspension of negotiations.BORN Database Working GroupLiz DarlingEileen HuttonSusan JamesKatrina KilroyAndrea LennoxAnn MontgomeryMary SharpeAngela ReitsmaVicki Van WagnerStaff Support: Sabina Hikel, Julie TooleAOM/Ontario Medical Association LiaisonWorking GroupKatrina KilroyLisa WestonMary Ann LeslieElizabeth BrandeisKelly StadelbauerJuana BerinsteinStaff Support: Maryellen BoyesOntario Midwifery Reference GroupKatrina KilroyKelly StadelbauerJuana BerinsteinStaff Support: Maryellen BoyesAOM/Midwifery Education Program LiaisonWorking GroupKatrina KilroyLisa WestonKelly StadelbauerJuana BerinsteinStaff Support: Maryellen BoyesAOM/College of Midwives of OntarioLiaison Working GroupKatrina KilroyLisa WestonKelly StadelbauerJuana BerinsteinBobbi SoderstromStaff Support: Maryellen BoyesICM Host Congress Planning CommitteeKatrina KilroyKelly StadelbauerRemi EjiwunmiStaff Support: Sabina HikelHIROC Risk Management CommitteeRemi Ejiwunmi, AOM RepresentativeBreastfeeding Services & Support WorkGroup Meeting, Provincial Council forMaternal and Child HealthBobbi Soderstrom, AOM RepresentativeChamplain Maternal Newborn RegionalProgramBobbi Soderstrom, AOM RepresentativeCanadian Association of Midwives,Board of DirectorsKatrina Kilroy, SecretaryLisa Weston, AOM RepresentativeICM WHO Patient Safety Working GroupBobbi Soderstrom, AOM RepresentativeTwo young supporters particpate in a pay equity rally in Ottawa in June, 2011.6 2011/2012 Annual Report

Greetings from Kelly Stadelbauer, AOM Executive DirectorKelly Stadelbauer, RN, BScN, MBAAOM Executive DirectorDear Members,As we look back on another ambitious andproductive year for the association, it ismy pleasure to present a summary of theaccomplishments we achieved together.2011 marked the second year of AOM’sthree-year strategic plan. The planconsists of five main goals:• Support Normal Birth• Make Midwifery Central to theProvision of Maternal and NewbornCare in Ontario• Support the Successful Growth ofMidwifery• Support Members in Clinical andPractice Risk Management Issues• Support the Successful Growth ofthe AssociationAs you read the highlights of our accomplishmentsyou’ll notice that four strong themesemerge: political advocacy; ongoing effortsto provide the most effective support andprofessional development for midwives; theactive engagement and involvement of AOMmembers; and tremendous support fromconsumers and supporters. The associationhosted our first-ever lobby day at Queen’sPark on May 5, 2011 – International Day ofthe Midwife. The overwhelming success ofthis day was also a launch, in effect, of a yearof political action including the mobilizationof tremendous support from members andsupporters at two pay equity rallies in thespring and an extensive provincial electioncampaign in the fall.Fiscal restraint and political uncertainty inthe province meant that we were unableto realize one of our key goals, achievingwage parity for midwives. In spite of our bestefforts, we were not successful in getting thegovernment back to the negotiating table.The Compensation Review of Midwiferycommissioned by the Ministry of Health andLong Term Care in 2010 found that between1994 and 2010, increases for midwives fellwell below those of comparable providersover the same period. The report also statedthat intermittent and irregular negotiationsbetween the midwifery profession andthe Ministry have hurt the compensationof midwives. According to the report,continuing a pattern of regular negotiationsis “critical.” In 2012 the AOM will continueto focus on negotiating fair compensationthat recognizes midwives’ skills, education,working conditions and responsibilities.During the provincial election, the AOMdecided to put the birth centres campaignon the back burner to focus on wage parity.However, the government began to seethe benefits of birth centres from a qualityand cost perspective, and birth centresstruck a chord with consumers. Thanks tothe support of midwives and the public,in March the government announcedfunding for two birth centre pilot projects.This is a major success for the profession.For years, the AOM has been highlightingand working to resolve hospital integrationissues and these efforts continued in 2011.Hospital privileges, medically unnecessarytransfers of care, barriers to practicing tofull scope and lack of wage parity betweenhealth-care professions will continue tooccupy the AOM in the coming year.Over the past year, the AOM continued toincrease professional development opportunitiesfor midwives. Members were consistentlypositive in their feedback regardingworkshops, webinars and guest speakers.Members continue to benefit from riskmanagement support through the PLEASEphone line offering service 24 hours a day,7 days a week. The AOM also advocatedfor process changes to the CMO SpecifiedContinuing Education and RemediationPrograms (SCERP) which took place this year.As always, one of the greatest rewards ofthe past year has been working with thededicated AOM members, Board and staffwho contributed so much to the manyprojects and initiatives underway.Thank you for your contributions and yourcommitment to advancing midwifery.I look forward to working with you toachieve our goals in the coming year.Kelly Stadelbauer, RN, BScN, MBAExecutive DirectorThe Association of Ontario Midwivesis the professional organizationrepresenting midwives and the professionof midwifery in Ontario.Contact the AOM:365 Bloor St. E., Suite 301Toronto, ON M4W 3L4phone: 416-425-9974toll-free: 1-866-418-3773fax: 416-425-6905www.aom.on.cawww.ontariomidwives.caKelly StadelbauerExecutive Director416-425-9974, Ext. 2230executivedirector@aom.on.caJuana BerinsteinDirector of Policy & Communications416-425-9974, Ext. 2229directorpolicy@aom.on.caTasha MacDonald, RMDirector of Clinical Practice Guidelines416-425-9974, ext. 2219cpgdirector@aom.on.caMelanie HartzellActing Director of Clinical &Professional Development416-425-9974, Ext. 2224cpddirector@aom.on.caBobbi Soderstrom, RMDirector of Insurance & Risk Management416-425-9974, Ext. 2418riskmanagement@aom.on.caAssociation of Ontario Midwives7

Strategic Plan: Goals & AccomplishmentsPremier Dalton McGuinty and Health Minister Deb Matthews meet clients’babies at the birth centres funding announcement on March 20, 2012.midwives and consumers in educatingpoliticians, the media and the generalpublic about the health benefits andcost-effectiveness of birth centres.The Birth Centre Working Group andlead midwives from each practice helpedto advance the campaign by providingvaluable input and advice to the AOM’sexecutive and policy staff. The AOMpresented to the Standing Committee onSocial Policy and the Minister of Finance.BCWG members and birth centres practiceleads held meetings with MPPs, circulatedpostcards and got the word out in theirown communities. The communicationsdepartment developed an online strategyto leverage the AOM’s public-orientedwebsite, OntarioMidwives.ca, and leda Facebook and Twitter campaign thatresulted in 10,000 e-postcards being sentto Premier Dalton McGuinty and MPPsin support of birth centres. Photos fromsupporters were featured in two birthcentres videos produced by the AOM thatwere viewed a combined 8,500 times. Thecampaign generated interest from mediaoutlets across the province including theToronto Star, the Hamilton Spectator andCBC TV. Links to these stories are availableon our media page, bit.ly/AOMmedia.The birth centres campaign culminatedin an historic announcement at RyersonUniversity on March 20, 2012. In a roompacked with parents, babies, midwives,faculty and students from the midwiferyprogram, Premier Dalton McGuintyand Health Minister Deb Matthewsannounced that the province hadearmarked funds to develop two birthcentre pilot projects. The AOM congratulatesall those who contributed to thesuccess of this campaign, and would liketo recognize the inspiration provided byTsi Non:We Ionnakeratstha Ona: Grahsta’,the birth centre at Six Nations of theGrand River Territory, established in1996. This birth centre, led by Aboriginalmidwives, provides excellent care towomen and babies in a context whichstrengthens the whole community.Promoting home birthThroughout 2011, the AOM promotedhome birth by providing educationalopportunities for midwives and otherhealth care providers and sharing researchevidence with consumers, governmentand the media. Two webinars, “Waterbirth:Considerations for Midwife and Client” and“VBAC and Homebirth: Research, Practiceand Politics,” were designed to increasemidwives’ knowledge, skills and confidenceregarding home birth. Eight practicesplayed an important role in educating theirlocal hospitals and communities abouthome birth by working with the AOM todevelop presentations tailored to addresslocal questions and concerns.Traditional and social media proved to be effectivetools for educating the general publicabout the safety of home births. An AOMarticle published by Hospital News generatedinterest among other media outlets and ledto coverage in Toronto on CityTV’s BreakfastTelevision and CBC Radio’s Metro Morning.AOM communications staff regularly postedarticles about home birth and normal birthon Twitter and Facebook. In February 2012,the rising rates of c-sections was picked upby media. The AOM responded with a pressrelease on the importance of supportingnormal birth, and media interviewed severalmidwives as experts on normal birth.Supporting Midwives in the Provision Careof Care to Diverse CommunitiesSupporting positive outcomes for diversecommunities is a priority for the Association.This year, the AOM built relationshipsthat will better position midwives toadvocate for the needs of women withouthealth insurance, lesbian, gay, bisexualand transgender clients (LGBT). The AOMadvocated for the elimination of Ontario’sthree-month waiting period for healthinsurance by endorsing a campaign onthe issue and including the topic in thesurvey that was distributed to all partiesduring the provincial election campaign. Asa member of Women’s College Hospital’snetwork on uninsured clients, the AOMparticipated in the development of policyrecommendations that called for an end tothe three-month wait.The AOM provided a number of professionaldevelopment opportunities to familiarizemidwives with best practices for caring forspecial populations. During the past year,two new, half-day workshops – “ProvidingPerinatal Care for Lesbian, Bisexualand Queer Women and their Families”and “Providing Perinatal Care for Trans-Masculine Clients and their Families,” alongwith accompany tip sheets. Serving clientswith language barriers was addressed ina webinar entitled “Best Practices whenWorking with Interpreters in a Health CareSetting” (facilitated by Access Alliance) anda session at the annual conference that wasdeveloped and facilitated by members ofthe Diversity Work Group.During the past year, the AOM conductedfocus groups with aboriginal midwives togain a better understanding of the variouschallenges that their clients experience.Providing culturally appropriate care toaboriginal clients was also explored in asession at the annual conference entitled“Toronto’s Aboriginal communities:Indigenous Identity and ResponsibleResearch.” We also strengthened ourrelationship with midwives working underthe Aboriginal exemption clause in theMidwifery Act.Support members in clinical andpractice risk managementThe Insurance and Risk Management Program(IRMP) had a busy and productive year focusedon responding to members’ needs. Throughoutthe year, the PLEASE Line provided 24hour, 7 day a week support to midwivesand practices. Most of the calls wereAssociation of Ontario Midwives9

MIDWIVES MOBILIZE:THE SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONOntario Midwives reachout to supportersOver 1,500 followersDaily tweetsFrequent retweetsLive tweeting from theAOM Conference:#ONMidwivesOver 2,000 “Likes”Daily status updatesAn engaged communityof supporters27 videos postedMost popular: Giving Birth With a MidwifeTwo birth centre videos viewed morethan 8,000 timesPay equity video viewed more than 2,000 timesOntarioMidwives.caRegular blog posts from AOM presidentPublic education portalUp-to-date information on political advocacyand campaigns46,000 unique visitorsSupporters respond!Hundreds of supporters mobilized for Queen’sPark pay equity rally via Facebook and TwitterSocial Media Day of Action: 9,622 post viewson Facebook