Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr Kaleen Richards DNP, CNM, APRN, FACNM.
Hi Dr Kaleen, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My passion for Women’s Health and birth started when I was 19 and in my first year of College. The book Spiritual Midwifery found me and I answered the call and started working in a local birth center as a birth assistant. I went through nursing school and then Master’s as a Certified Nurse Midwife/ Advanced Practices Registered Nurse. I opened Tree of Life Birth and Gynecology in 2011 and have been serving families in this community ever since. There are many ways to spin this. The politics around APRN practicing autonomously to fill the maternity desserts in the US……the deplorable statics of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity in FL and Central FL specifically…. the maternity health care deserts and number of hospitals that have closed their maternity centers…..or the lack of OB’s that accept Medicaid and the vulnerable population they cover. Really I want to scream from the roof tops that, even though Birth Centers and Midwives have superior maternal and infant outcomes, private insurance’s refuse to increase our reimbursement or out right deny us from a contract to be in network.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not a smooth road at all. We fight stigmatization of “less educated” or not qualified. Some people think birth center isn’t safe even though we have the same emergency equipment as hospitals and practice emergency drills quarterly. I have been attempting to re negotiate insurance contracts for 2 years since they have not increas d in 10 years! And malpractice has become astronomically high.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We have 2 APRN/CNM and 2 LM/CPM. I would love to explain the difference in these Midwife certifications and how they synergize the practice
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
A birth center is a facility that has a home like feel but provides complete prenatal care, the birth,postpartum care and newborn/lactation services. We provide annual gym services, birth control, mental health screenings and medication treatment as necessary. We follow the Midwifery Model of care which is to educate families, build relationships the foster trust, and support the family throughout the women’s lifetime!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tolbirth.com
- Instagram: Treeoflifebirthcenter
- Facebook: TreeofLifeBirthant GYN
Image Credits
I would like to send more pictures of the birth center but need to do so via email
