Jennifer Baumstark Leads Nurse-Midwifery Program, Advancing Maternal Health in South Carolina
Introduction
South Carolina faces a pressing maternal health crisis, ranking eighth nationally for maternal mortality. In response, the University of South Carolina (USC) has launched an accredited nurse-midwifery program, with Dr. Jennifer Baumstark at its helm. Her leadership aims to address the state’s maternal health challenges by training a new generation of nurse-midwives.
A Journey Rooted in Compassion
Dr. Baumstark’s path to midwifery began in the early 1990s after graduating from nursing school. Her experiences as a labor and delivery nurse ignited a passion for maternal care. Over the years, she practiced in diverse settings across Illinois and Missouri, gaining insights into both progressive practices and high-volume hospital environments. In 2012, seeking a more impactful role, she moved to Molokai, Hawaii, where she served as the sole midwife at an 11-bed hospital without an operating room or dedicated labor and delivery nurses. There, she managed care from pregnancy tests to births, often being on call 24/7.
“You can’t want to be awake for 24 hours at a time, ready for an emergency situation, without having the heart of a nurse-midwife,” she reflects.
Transition to Academia
After eight years in Hawaii, Dr. Baumstark transitioned to academia in 2019. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Hawaii Pacific University (HPU), where she later chaired the online graduate nursing program. Her academic pursuits included presenting workshops on gender diversity and improving healthcare for transgender individuals, showcasing her commitment to inclusive care.
Leading USC’s Nurse-Midwifery Program
Now an associate professor at USC’s College of Nursing, Dr. Baumstark directs the newly accredited nurse-midwifery program. Her mission is clear: to expand the midwifery workforce in South Carolina and improve maternal health outcomes. As president of the South Carolina affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives, she emphasizes the urgent need for more nurse-midwives in the state.
“There is a tremendous need to add more nurse-midwives to the health care workforce in South Carolina,” she asserts.
Addressing Maternal Health Disparities
South Carolina’s maternal mortality rate is among the highest in the nation. Recognizing this, the state received a $17 million Transforming Maternal Health grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in January. Dr. Baumstark believes this funding will support relationship-building and education to address barriers limiting access to midwifery care.
“Other countries and several states in the U.S. have drastically improved maternal and neonatal outcomes by implementing the midwifery model of care,” she notes. (
Teaching Through Empathy and Experience
Dr. Baumstark employs narrative pedagogy in her teaching, sharing real-life experiences to prepare students for the complexities of midwifery. She emphasizes the importance of genuine patient engagement.
“When you sit with a patient and say, ‘How are you?’—wait for her to answer. Look her in the eye. She might tell you ‘I am not okay, I need help.’ That’s the golden moment, in my mind,” she advises.
For Dr. Baumstark, midwifery is about trust and empowerment. “Midwives come to this profession from a nursing lens, and we are with women. We trust women’s bodies. We advocate for them, we empower them. These are the core values of being a nurse-midwife,” she explains.
Collaborative Efforts and Future Goals
Beyond her role at USC, Dr. Baumstark is actively involved in statewide initiatives to improve maternal health. She serves on the Rural Access to Care for Improving Maternal and Infant Health Taskforce, collaborating with healthcare professionals and policymakers to address systemic issues.
With the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 40% increase in midwifery jobs over the next decade, Dr. Baumstark is optimistic about the future. She envisions a South Carolina where every woman has access to comprehensive, compassionate maternal care.
