PURPOSE:
The purpose is to share the conceptual framework underlying the development of a new nationwide association dedicated to midwifery education, as well as to share steps in the strategic planning process.

DISCUSSION:
A national midwifery education association can move us from siloed programs to connected community with capacity to learn best practices from each other and the broader landscape of health professional education. Although there are existing midwifery associations to promote the profession, none are solely focused on improving the status of U.S. midwifery education. This gap leaves midwifery education vulnerable to the priorities of others, posing an existential threat. Further, it creates inefficiencies in programs that are already resource-strapped, as each program builds their program content independently. Additionally, this association can move the profession from being hidden and at times indistinguishable from nursing or medicine, to a profession at the forefront, tackling the biggest challenges facing midwifery education. Midwifery education associations can be found in other countries and can serve as potential models for what is possible to build, e.g. the Canadian Association of Midwifery Educators and the Trans-Tasman Midwifery Education Consortium in Australia and New Zealand.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
The role and importance of midwifery professional associations has been well documented within ICM publications and evidentiary record is found in: Mattison C, Bourret K, Hebert E, et al. Health systems factors impacting the integration of midwifery: an evidence-informed framework on strengthening midwifery associations. BMJ Glob Health. 2021;6(6):e004850. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2020-004850

KEY MESSAGE:
Excellent education is the bedrock of excellent midwifery care, delivering well-prepared and capable midwives whose practice is congruent with the midwifery model. We believe that by creating an organized network of midwifery educators and providing access to the right skills and tools, we can accelerate the growth, accessibility and sustainability of excellent midwifery education across credentials. Poster session 3 (Group B)