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ACNM Past President Helps Launch Survive and Thrive Global Development Alliance in Burma

Dr. Katherine Camacho Carr serves on delegation to Burma with USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah

For Immediate Release
March 8, 2013

Contact: Clare Lynam
Office: 240-485-1826
E-mail: clynam@acnm.org

Silver Spring, MD – The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is proud to report the successful launch of the Global Development Alliance Survive and Thrive: Professional Associations, Private Sector, and Global Health Scholars Saving Mothers, Newborns, and Children in Burma this week.

The innovative partnership’s launch in Burma was announced by US Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah and included a panel discussion with ACNM Past President Katherine Camacho Carr, PhD, CNM, ARNP, FACNM. Additional panelists included a representative from the Ministry of Health, President of the Myanmar Nurses and Midwives Association Professor Nang Htawn Hla, and Laerdal Global Health President Tore Laerdal.

Strengthening midwifery skills will be at the very core of Survive and Thrive in Burma as midwives are the backbone of primary health care in the country and have a direct impact on health outcomes. Dr. Camacho Carr will conclude her trip by participating in a visit to the ERT Training Center for Midwives and a joint seminar of the University of Public Health and USAID.

From left to right: Bill Slater Dir Public Health USAID Mission, Douglas Laube ACOG, Kathrine Carr ACNM, Chris Milligan USAID Mission Director, Ambassador Derek J. Mitchelll, Bob Block AAP, Tore Laerdal and Dr Rajiv Shah

About the American College of Nurse-Midwives

The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is the professional association that represents certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs) in the United States. With roots dating to 1929, ACNM sets the standard for excellence in midwifery education and practice in the United States and strengthens the capacity of midwives in developing countries. Our members are primary care providers for women throughout the lifespan, with a special emphasis on pregnancy, childbirth, and gynecologic and reproductive health. ACNM reviews research, administers and promotes continuing education programs, and works with organizations, state and federal agencies, and members of Congress to advance the well-being of women and infants through the practice of midwifery.

About Survive and Thrive

Globally, more than 280,000 women do not survive pregnancy and childbirth. More than 7 million children die before their fifth birthday; 3.1 million of these are newborns. Launched in June 2012, the unprecedented approach of Survive and Thrive aligns with the US Government’s Global Health Initiative goal of reducing maternal mortality by 30 percent and child mortality by 35 percent and supports the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) maternal and child health. The alliance aims to magnify its impact on these goals in several ways. It will strengthen relationships between US professional health care associations and in-country professional association members to encourage learning and development through a peer-to-peer and partnership approach. This effort also seeks to mobilize and equip senior volunteer members from US, international, and national professional associations to strengthen the skills of health workers and champion maternal, newborn, and child health programs in developing countries. In addition, the alliance will nurture emerging leaders in global health by creating Global Health Scholars, a new kind of internship opportunity for clinicians who are at the beginning of their careers. The phasing in of this aspect of the program is scheduled to begin the following year and is anticipated to be a bilateral program exchange between the US and host countries. Scholars will have an opportunity to learn in low-resource and high-resource settings, in conjunction with leading US and in-country professional experts to nurture a passion for global health, and go on to become teachers themselves, building the skills of future clinicians.

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