Meet Heather Bradford, CNM

Specialty:  Nurse-midwifery
Now living in: Kirkland
How long on the board: I joined the Legislative Committee of AUWS in the Spring of 2002, and became Co-chair in 2004 and Chair in 2006. The co-chair or chair of the Legislative Committee always sits on the BOD, but somehow, I managed to also become Secretary of the BOD within the last year.

Current work place and position: I am working per diem at the Center for Women’s Health at Evergreen, a private ob-gyn practice affiliated with Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland. There are 5 OB/GYN MDs, 4 CNMs, 2 ARNPs, a PA, a naturopath physician, and a partridge in a pear tree. The CNMs have a thriving practice and deliver approximately 40 babies per month. We provide full scope midwifery care to women, including well-woman, antepartum, intrapartum, neonatal, and postpartum care.

Brief work history: I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in December of 2001 and began working at the Center for Women’s Health at Evergreen in April of 2002. I worked full time until 2005, and have been enjoying my per diem status since life began as a new mom.

Why you chose your specialty: I have always been fascinated with pregnancy and birth, and find them to be empowering experiences for women. It is an honor to be a part of such a special time in people’s lives.

Why you volunteered for the BOD: As stated above, it was more of a default reason initially. But this last year with the recent AMA proposition to try to limit the scope of practice for non-physician providers, I feel even more empowered and determined to assure we are a strong membership-supported organization that is financially sound and well known among our state legislators.

What you most care about regarding NPs: I have been advocating for our profession since nurse-midwifery school, and the reason is simple. I believe in what we do. My passion is legislative advocacy. Since 2001, I have instructed University of WA nurse-midwifery students on the importance of legislative action. I have lobbied for nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners at both the state and federal levels, seeking to improve their scope of practice and reimbursement rates. In addition to being Chair of the Legislative Committee for AUWS, I also am the Region VI Representative to the Government Affairs Committee (GAC) of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). Region VI includes 7 West Coast states and more than 1500 certified nurse-midwives. The GAC is mostly responsible for mobilizing grassroots efforts; currently we are working on passage of legislation which would increase Medicare reimbursement rates for CNMs.

Your hopes for AUWS: To broaden our membership, further develop our power in Olympia, and be respected by other states as the model for a nurse practitioner advocacy organization.