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Thank you for your interest in my website. In honor of the
Seattle Midwifery School, I am donated 10% of my sales to the school.
Your interest can make a difference!
Midwifery care, the standard of care in most countries worldwide, is returning
to the mainstream in North America. Seattle Midwifery School (SMS) is on the
brink of a breakthrough in public awareness that will make the midwifery model
of care universally accessible to childbearing families.
Seattle Midwifery School, a central player in the work to expand access to
midwifery care, is at a critical juncture. SMS needs increased public support
to continue its progress toward expanding educational opportunities in midwifery.
The central challenge
The research evidence of the benefits of midwifery care indicates that this
valuable public resource is drastically under-utilized. The consequences
of this gap between knowledge and practice are serious. How can the connection
between evidence in the scientific literature and the health and happiness
of mothers, fathers, and babies be brought more clearly into public consciousness??
How can the economic and public health benefits of midwifery care be made
a priority in the discourse of public policymakers?
The most immediate challenge
Seattle Midwifery School has taken up the challenge of promoting the midwifery
model of care while educating more midwives and doulas. To accomplish this
work, the school must expand and strengthen its base of public support. If
you agree that this work is important, please invest now.
SMS currently receives 75% of its funding through student tuition and 25%
through donations and grants. Most of the private charitable contributions
received are from individuals involved in healthcare who are passionate about
the cause. Licensed midwives, nurse midwives, doulas, childbirth educators,
and midwifery clients comprise a large percentage of these individuals. It
is now necessary to find a broader base of support. This is a major public
policy issue that must be brought further into the public arena. The success
in doing so will have a two-fold benefit. First, increased publicity highlighting
the safety and cost-effectiveness of midwifery care for low risk pregnancies
will increase families' access to this care. Second, it will establish a more
solid foundation for SMS programs.
Long-term structural changes
Additional funding is required if SMS is to extend the benefits of its program
expansion to students in subsequent years. Funds are needed to:
- expand staffing and services to support a larger student body and to continue
raising public awareness about the benefits of midwifery care;
- expand recruitment of new students and support for applicants;
- provide scholarships for low-income students;
- increase library and information resources for students and faculty.
Your dollars, vision, and commitment are needed now to support the breakthrough
SMS is seeking! Your investment makes you a guardian of the
health of mothers and children at this turning point in the history of
midwifery.
MAKE A FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
The most immediate need is for funds. Your tax-deductible donation is a change
agent! Contributions of $100, $1000, or more make a big difference in what
SMS can do. However, the cumulative effect of smaller contributions is very
powerful. Please send whatever you can.
BE A RESOURCE FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Public awareness is a powerful key for unlocking the door between knowledge
and practice. Consider what the research says and be a resource for your family
and friends. Please refer people to www.seattlemidwifery.org/action.htm for
more information.
BE A RESOURCE IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE
- Do you work in the healthcare arena?
- Do you work with young women?
- Do you help shape public policy?
- Are you a journalist or a writer?
Call SMS for a press packet, background materials, or to request a guest speaker!
Thank you for your care and consideration!
Kimberly Radtke, Owner
www.birthways.net
Seattle Midwifery School
2524 16th Ave S. #300
Seattle, WA 98144
Questions? Call SMS at 206.322.8834 or 800.747.9433. Talk to Sharon.
To donate directly go to
http://www.seattlemidwifery.org/sms_get_involved.htm
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