The nurse-midwifery concentration in Georgia College & State University’s (GCSU) Master of Science in Nursing is now fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education.
Pre-accredited since May 2020, the program has graduated two cohorts of nurse-midwives and is the first public program of its kind to be accredited in Georgia.
“The establishment of the nurse-midwifery program at Georgia College stands as a powerful testament to our unwavering commitment to advancing women's services in Central Georgia,” said Dr. Josie Doss, director of the School of Nursing.
The program is specifically designed to solve healthcare problems in Georgia, a state that ranks poorly (48th) for pregnancy-related deaths.
Student clinicals must be completed in Georgia, and some aid programs at Georgia College specifically target local students.
The program has graduated 12 students across two cohorts while under pre-accredited status.
“At this point, each of our graduates is still practicing within the state of Georgia — this is huge for the state,” said Monica Ketchie, associate professor of nursing and nurse-midwifery program coordinator. “We’re passionate about women’s health,” she said. “We’re passionate about addressing maternal mortality, and we offer support and teaching to our students.”
Cavetta Tulloch-Lewis was a 2023 graduate of the program’s second cohort. She traveled across Georgia to assist as a student nurse-midwife while in the program and currently works at St. Theresa’s OB/GYN in Snellville.
In her current position, Tulloch-Lewis sees mainly Medicaid patients, a population she calls underserved. She is a warm confidant for patients, who often request her by name.
“We provide the missing piece that our patients are looking for,” Tulloch-Lewis said. “To know I’m actually helping to provide these women with the care they need, giving them a voice and addressing their concerns, is an amazing feeling.”
She hopes to return to Georgia College to complete her Doctor of Nursing Practice and educate others about midwifery.
“I don't think a lot of people understand how important midwifery is,” Tulloch-Lewis said. “I want to help others grasp the concept and have that passion toward it as I do.”