Fight to stop closure of Miami Dade College’s Midwifery program
August 14, 2008 by Marijke Durning, RN
Filed under Women's Health
I received this call to action from the FFOM press officer. I believe it’s definitely worth spreading this to any group or person you feel may make a difference. Please feel free to pass this on.
Despite strong opposition from the community, Miami Dade College’s Midwifery Program to close indefinitely
MIAMI, FL – Florida Friends of Midwives (FFOM), a non-profit grassroots the organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the practice of midwifery in Florida is disappointed and concerned with the indefinite closure of Miami Dade College’s Midwifery Program, a vital program to the local community and to communities statewide. Despite strong opposition expressed by students, mothers, midwives and concerned members of the community, the College cited tough economic times as the reason for their decision.
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Tags: pregnancy blog, miami dade county college midwifery program, florida friends of midwives, FFOM, midwives, midwifery programs, closure of midwifery program, practice of midwifery, pregnant women
Such a terrible mistake – it’s very upsetting to hear about this closing. Midwives are a treasure of any community, and an enormous help to mothers everywhere. This is a real shame – thanks for letting us know about the situation.
I agree Danielle. I believe that a woman has the right to choose and the choice may very well be to deliver in a hospital with an MD in attendance. But, they should have that choice to make, not have that choice made for them.
Agree with both of you. Unfortunately, it has been my experience that most women don’t even know they have a choice. And with the closing of the MDC Midwifery Program, there will in fact be less choices since less women will have the opportunity to become licensed midwives.
Spread the word and help us fight to keep this program open!
Marijke,
Thanks for bringing this to my attention (saw it on GreyTalk). I agree that choice is important and many women don’t have the choice since there are not enough midwives available for all the women who want one. This does not make the situation any better.
Besides spreading the word is their any other thing that can/needs to be done – letter writing campaign etc.
Hi Teresa, I don’t see how letter writing can’t help. The address and phone number on the college site is:
Miami Dade College • 300 N.E. 2nd Avenue, Miami, Florida 33132-2204 • 305-237-8888
I can’t find any names though.
Teresa – yes, we could definitely use your help to write letters. Right now we’ve been told the “power” lies within the Board of Trustees at MDC. Here are some emails we have:
1. Helen Aguirre-Ferre: haferre@diariolasamericas.com; haferre@aol. com
2. Peter W. Roulhac: proulhac@obfoundation.org / business phone: 305-341-4788
3. Armando Bucelo, Jr.: abucelolaw@aol.com / business phone: 305-442-1942
4. Marielena Villamil: mevillamil@weg.com / business phone 305-461-3811
5. Mirta “Mikki” Canton: mcanton@gunster.com / business phone: 305-376-4157
6. Benjamin Leon III: bleonIII@leonmedicalcenters.com / business phone: 305-644-2138
7. Robert Fernandez: robert.fernandez@akerman.com
8. Eduardo Padron: epadron@mdc.edu
If you’d also like to help in calling Florida/Miami legislators, let me know. I have that contact info as well
Wow, thanks Nerisis! Great info.
NATURAL CHILDBIRTH IS A WOMAN,S RIGHT