Educational Advisory Committee (EAC)
The Educational Advisory Committee provides guidance to help AWHONN develop the highest levels of educational products and services to our members, and to assure the engagement and development of nurse educators practicing in women’s health, obstetric and neonatal nursing while supporting those educators working in unique and diverse practice settings.
The mission of the Educational Advisory Committee (EAC) is to provide the highest level of educational products and programs for AWHONN members, and to promote engagement and development of nurse educators practicing in women’s health, obstetrics, and neonatal nursing, including those educators working in unique and diverse practice settings. This includes:
- Ensuring that AWHONN members and others have access to quality educational programs and resources that enhance patient care.
- Increasing knowledge, skills, and attitudes of nurses caring for women and newborns.
- Elevating the practice of nursing.
- Ensuring resources are available to support adaptation to the rapid pace of healthcare change and challenges
- Supporting novice specialty nurses to respond to workforce needs
- Promote broad dissemination and implementation of evidence-based care resources
- Review, advise, and evaluate education resources and programs, as requested
- Recommend repurposing current products and programs into new educational resources based upon member needs
- Solicit and receive feedback on recommendations for education
- Collaborate with other AWHONN committees, as indicated
- Explore and establish novel approaches for delivery of education (micro-learning) in partnership with cross departmental teams.
- Understand and assess learning needs for multi-generational learners.
- Adapt to rapid paced learning needs
- Promote scholarship within the obstetric, neonatal, and women’s health specialties (certifications, etc.)
2024 Committee Members
Heretha Hankins MSN-Ed, RNC (Chair)
Robyn Garrett, C-EFM, MSN, RNC-OB (Chair-Elect)
Sarah Copple, MSN, RNC-MNN, C-ONQS (Staff Liaison)
Annie Halverson, C-EFM, MSN, RNC-OB
Caroline Meza, PhD, RN, CEN, NPD-BC
Gina Galosi, DNP, RNC-OB
Jamie Agunsday, MA, MSN, RNC-OB
Julie Kathman, DNP, APRN, CNS-BC, CPN, C-ONQS
Laura Ortiz-Carter, CCRN, C-EFM, MSN, RN, RNC-OB
Rebeccah Dindinger, DNP, IBCBC, RNC-OB
Shannon Williams, BSN, CLC, RN
Veronica Shake, MSN, RN, PHN
Amanda Staab, MSN, RNC-OB (Emerging Leader Ex-officio/ Non-Voting member)
Valerie Richardson, BS, JD, MSN, OB-RNC, RN (Emerging Leader Ex-officio/ Non-Voting member)
Jacy Correll, RNC-OB (Mentored Member Non-Voting)
Theresa Breslin, MSN, RNC-NIC, C-EFM (Past Chair Ex-officio/ Non-Voting)
Nancy Comello, DNP, CNM, RNC-OB, MNN, ONQS, C-EFM (ABC Representative Ex-Officio/Non-Voting)
Katrina Johnson, MSN-Ed, RN (Board Liaison Ex-Officio/Non-Voting)
2024-2028 Educational Priorities
Ensure easier accessibility to educational products.
- Increase links throughout the AWHONN website.
- Install a content specific search engine.
- Develop an AWHONN app providing links to educational resources.
- Develop a website navigation introduction video that is sent to all members.
- Promote existing products and increase live webinar offerings.
Guide strategies to ensure structured and comprehensive preparation for new nurses entering the obstetric, neonatal and women’s health specialty.
- Develop resources based on hospital acuity and volumes.
- Develop resources based on RN experience level, new graduate or transitioning experienced RN.
Collaborate to explore diverse and additional modalities to bring education to members.
Priority II:
Targeted educational products to identified themes.
- Category II Electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) interpretation
- Abnormal newborn
- Labor positioning
- Obstetric high-risk situations
- Breastfeeding skills
- Equitable care delivery
- Staffing standards
- Perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD) Tools
- Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Tools
- Diabetes Management
- Litigation education
- How to run simulations
- How to triage
- How to be a perinatal leader
Expand opportunities to participate in AWHONN educational offerings.
- Increase the opportunities for live, in-person, and virtual education on requested topics.
Develop additional bundled educational products.