The Initiative
Under the direction of the Citizen Ambassador Program, The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), whose certification standards are globally respected and frequently exceed those of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), launched an initiative to address this gap. The goal: introduce a framework for standardized certification, skills training, and evidence-based practice for both pre-service education and continuing professional development.
Delegation & Activities
To advance this mission, an ACNM delegation of senior U.S. Certified Nurse-Midwives—representing both academia and clinical practice—traveled to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Led by Dr. Catherine Fuleau-Collins, ACNM President and professor at Frontier Nursing University, the team collaborated with the Cambodian Ministry of Health and the Cambodian Midwives Association. Their work focused on:
- Assessing Current Practices: Visiting urban and rural labor and delivery units to observe clinical norms and cultural influences.
- Engaging Educational Institutions: Meeting with nursing schools to understand the existing educational landscape.
Learning from Past Interventions: Reviewing strategies introduced by international NGOs over the past decade that contributed to Cambodia’s maternal health success.
Outcomes
The week-long exchange culminated in a joint plan to implement a robust training and continuing education structure for Cambodian midwives. This collaboration aims to ensure uniform standards, improve care quality, and strengthen professional recognition.
Benefits for U.S. Midwives
For U.S. midwives, the program offered a rare immersive learning experience. ACNM accredited 11 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for participants—an important contribution toward the 20 CEUs required every five years for U.S. midwives.
Key Takeaway
This initiative underscores the power of bilateral professional exchanges in elevating global health standards while enriching professional development.
