Keynote Speaker
Dr. Jessica Brumley, PhD, CNM, FACNM
Jessica Brumley PhD, CNM, FACNM is a certified nurse-midwife, researcher, educator, and leader in the field of maternal health. She has been a local, regional, and national leader in the American College of Nurse Midwives and is the current President. She has practiced clinically for over 20 years and is the Director of the Division of Midwifery at the University of South Florida. She is an Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Health Equity in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Brumley is passionate about improving health equity for women and reducing racial and ethnic disparities in pregnancy outcomes.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of South Florida. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the New York University School of Nursing with a master’s degree in Midwifery program and Magna Cum Laude from the University of South Florida College of Nursing with a PhD. Dr Brumley is an expert in midwifery care and has extensive experience teaching medical students, residents, and nurse practitioner students with a special focus on normal physiologic birth. She has presented nationally and regionally on various topics related to maternal health, racial disparities, and midwifery care. She has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications on issues related to midwifery, weight gain in pregnancy, and racial disparities in healthcare.
Julie Blumenfeld, DNP, CNM, FACNM, FAAN
Julie Blumenfeld, DNP, CNM (she/hers) is a midwife and Fellow of the American College of Nurse Midwives and American Academy of Nursing. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor & Program Director of the Nurse-Midwifery Programs at Rutgers School of Nursing. She began her career in healthcare as a Peace Corps Volunteer and has spent the past two decades providing midwifery care in Trenton, NJ.
In addition to her clinical and teaching responsibilities, Dr. Blumenfeld is dedicated to serving the community in Trenton. Since 2001, she has worked in a variety of roles in the city serving predominantly newly immigrated Latina women and their families. Most recently, she is working with the Children’s Home Society of New Jersey as part of a federal grant from the Office of Minority Health to implement and evaluate a Perinatal Community Integration Model in Mercer, Ocean, and Monmouth Counties in New Jersey and Bayamón, Puerto Rico.
Dr. Blumenfeld is a passionate advocate for creating lasting change through health policy. She is the Chair of the NJ Maternal Mortality Review Committee, the immediate past Chair of the NJ Maternal Care Quality Collaborative and serves on the NJ Board of Medical Examiners Midwifery Liaison Committee. She is active in the American College of Nurse Midwives and currently serves as Chair of the College’s State Government Affairs Committee and President of its New Jersey Affiliate. She is the recipient of the American College of Nurse Midwives 2023 Policy Award in recognition of her work to expand access to midwifery in New Jersey.
Meredith L. Cashdollar, PA-C CGRA
In 1978, my father became the first practicing medical oncologist in Chambersburg, establishing a legacy of dedication and care. I was born and raised in this vibrant community, and today, my spouse and I are proudly raising our two sons, ages 10 and 6, here as well.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in health science from James Madison University in Virginia and a master’s degree from Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania. Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) since 2007, I initially built my career as a PA-C in Gastroenterology. After a decade in the field, I found my true calling in breast care and have been working full-time as a PA-C at Wellspan Breast Care in Chambersburg since 2017. My special interests include high-risk assessment and hereditary cancer genetics, and I proudly hold a CGRA certification through the National Consortium of Breast Centers. In addition, I am involved with the local non-profit organization, Cumberland Valley Breast Care Alliance (CVBCA).
Beyond my professional life, I cherish spending time with my extended family and friends. I am a dedicated volunteer at my children’s school, serving lunch weekly, and I also help coach youth soccer. My love for travel takes me across the globe whenever possible, where I eagerly explore and savor a wide array of ethnic foods. My other passions include hiking, country music, and fashion.
Silvia Corado, CBD
Silvia Corado (she/ella) is the Program Administrator for The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey’s (CHSofNJ) Community-Based Doula Program and a La Leche League Leader. She graduated as an Administrative Assistant in Guatemala and in 2002 moved to New Jersey.
In 2005, after completing the CUNA program at the CHSofNJ she began volunteering there offering lactation support for Spanish speaking Latina women. She is the co-founder of CHSofNJ’s MAYA (Mujeres Amigas y Apoyo), a support group for postpartum Latina woman. In 2019, she was certified as a community-based doula by Health ConnectOne and in 2021 was trained as labor doula, childbirth educator and lactation educator by CAPPA. In 2023 she completed the Health Connect One Community-Based Doula Training of Trainers program and is the process of becoming certified as a Community Health Worker.
Silvia is passionate about educating and supporting new mothers and their families. She is grateful to have the opportunity to share her knowledge with the women of Trenton and to make a difference in the greater Latina community.
Tina Felten, DNP, CNM, WHNP-BC, RNC-OB, PMH-C, FACNM
Tina Felten, a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) since 2007, began her career after serving in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps, inspired by 9/11 to serve her country. She earned her BSN at Bloomsburg University (2003), MSN and Midwifery training at Frontier Nursing University (FNU, 2007), and her DNP from FNU in 2021. Dually certified as a women’s health nurse practitioner, she became an ACNM Fellow in 2021 and completed a post-master’s in nutrition and integrative health at Maryland University of Integrative Health in 2022.
A Pennsylvania native living in Quakertown with her family, Tina is passionate about perinatal mental health. She founded WAVES (Women Adjusting to Various Emotional States), an integrated mental health program at her OB practice in Allentown, and has published and presented nationally on its impact. A CNM for 18 years, she became an associate practice leader in 2022, implementing CenteringPregnancy© at her practice. Tina also serves on the PA state chapter of PSI, advocating to end the stigma around perinatal mental health.
Emily Hoger, RN, MSN, CNM
Emily Hoger (she/her) is a Certified Nurse-Midwife in Chambersburg, PA. She completed her
undergraduate degree at Truman State University in Missouri with a Health Science major and
minor in Biology. She received her Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) certification
upon graduation and worked in this role at a public health department. She returned to school to
complete her graduation education at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, obtaining her RN
license through a bridge program followed by the MSN with a concentration in nurse-midwifery.
Her clinical practice has been in an FQHC and community hospital providing full-scope GYN,
prenatal, intrapartum, postpartum, and gender affirming care to a diverse population. Her
specialities include gestational diabetes, sex and kink positivity, gender affirming hormone
therapy, and trauma informed care. She also has a strong interest in weight stigma/weight neutral
care, medical racism, true informed consent, abortion access, and patient autonomy.
Emily is active on the PA Affiliate of ACNM’s board nominating committee and the Midwifery
Forward Planning Committee. She is often found precepting midwifery students. She recently
started a new job with a large regional medical group and is planning on pursuing a doctoral
program. She is active in multiple community organizations.
Rebecca Hollar, DPT, PT
Rebecca “Bec” Hollar, DPT, PT (she/her) is a physical therapist treating pelvic health physical therapy concerns with Drayer Physical Therapy in the central PA area. She obtained her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Misericordia University in 2014. She became involved in pelvic health physical therapy following the birth of her first child and has been treating pelvic health for six years. She received her pelvic health education from Herman and Wallace Institute and through the Institute of Advanced Musculoskeletal Treatments. She accepts patients of all gender identities from age four and beyond. She enjoys assisting patients with bowel, bladder, prolapse, and pelvic/sexual pain conditions. She is currently working toward specialty certification of Pelvic Rehab Practitioner Certification.
Megan Levy, CRNP, NNP-BC, NPD-BC
Megan Levy, NNP-BC, CRNP, NPD-BC is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner and Advanced Practice
Provider Professional Development Specialist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Megan graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing, with her BSN in 2002
and began her career as a staff nurse at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in the
Intensive Care Nursery. This experience strengthened her passion for the vulnerable neonatal
population and in 2005, she graduated with her Master’s degree from the Neonatal Nurse
Practitioner Program at the University of Pennsylvania. After graduation, Megan began working
as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner at both the Hospital of University of Pennsylvania & the
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia on the Philadelphia campus. After several years, she
transitioned her clinical practice to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Newborn Care at Holy
Redeemer Hospital in the Level III NICU where she has practiced for the past 15 years.
Megan has been a Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) instructor for the past 20 years
primarily focusing her teaching to the staff of the women’s health department including labor
and delivery, postpartum and antepartum nurses in addition to the neonatal staff.
Throughout her time as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Megan has worked as an adjunct faculty
member and course director at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Nursing in both the
undergraduate and graduate programs. In addition to her clinical practice, Megan currently
works as a Professional Development Specialist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
focusing on the professional development and educational needs of Advanced Practice Providers
in the Medical & Surgical NIICU, CHOP Neonatal Network NICUs, Cardiac Center, Emergency
Department, PICU/Progressive Care Unit, and Special Delivery Unit.
Jessica Meilnik, DPAS, MPAS, PA-C
Dr. Jessica Mielnik, DPAS, MPAS, PA-C (pronouns she/her) is a certified Physician Assistant in Altoona, PA. She completed undergraduate and master’s degrees in both Allied Health Sciences and Physician Assistant Studies at the Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA. She then completed her Doctor of Physician Assistant Studies degree at The University of Pittsburgh in 2023. Her doctorate studies focused on increased efficacy in student rotations through rotation specific education.
Jessica’s practice is centered in general obstetrics and gynecology care. However, she also assists both the urogynecology and gynecologic oncology divisions of Magee Women’s Hospital in Pittsburgh; as they travel to outreach sites in Altoona, PA. This includes both office care and first-assisting in the operating room. She has a strong passion for Advanced Practice Provider Education and was promoted to be the co-manager for APP Education for the Women’s Health service-line in her practice. Through this position, a panel of APPs have created a Transition to Practice Program for new hires within the division. This has allowed for smoother transition clinical practice and assure all providers are starting with the same level of base education.
When Jessica is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, who are 7 and 5 years old.
Lauren Narbey, PhD, CNM
Lauren Taylor Narbey, PhD, CNM (she/her) is a Postdoctoral Associate with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and a midwife experienced in caring for families before, during, and after pregnancy and childbirth with perinatal substance use disorders. Lauren has worked with and cared for families with perinatal substance use disorders for over 8 years and is focusing her research on breastfeeding practices and opportunities among new parents with opioid use disorder. She is currently the President for the Pennsylvania Affiliate of the American College of Nurse Midwives, serves on the Pennsylvania Quality Care Collaborative Advisory Board, and is a consultant to The Midwife Center for perinatal substance use disorders.
Nancy Niemczyk, CNM, PhD
Nancy has over 15 years of practice as a certified nurse-midwife, where she provided labor and birth care in hospital, home, and birth center settings. Her education as a perinatal epidemiologist then provided her with the statistical skills to describe and analyze labor progress, as well as expertise in working with large datasets. Nancy has demonstrated my facility in working with large national datasets through my work with the American Association of Birth Centers Research Committee, using their Perinatal Data Registry (PDR). Nancy has also completed analyses of the Consortium for Safe Labor dataset as part of her HRSA funded R40 grant, “Group-based trajectory analysis of the first stage of labor.”
Lisa Noguchi, PhD, CNM, CPPS, FACNM
Lisa Noguchi is a certified nurse-midwife and infectious disease epidemiologist with 25 years of experience in clinical practice, global health implementation, and women’s health research. She has worked in a range of clinical settings in the U.S., from community hospitals to large academic medical centers. She obtained her PhD from Johns Hopkins University, where she was a recipient of the U.S. NIH T-32 Training Grant in Sexually Transmitted Infections. Lisa has eight years of clinical experience providing STI care for women, including two years at Allegheny County Health Department’s Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic, as part of the Reproductive Infectious Disease Research team at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC. Subsequently, she joined the Microbicide Trials Network in a range of roles including Director of Operations and Scientific Director for Pregnancy Research, and led analyses on chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomonas, syphilis, HSV-2, and HIV infections among South African injectable contraception users in the VOICE trial. She currently serves as Director for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health at Jhpiego, the global health implementation arm of Johns Hopkins University, and co-leads the maternal immunization portfolio. Her recent research includes health systems readiness assessments for the new maternal RSV vaccine in Kenya and Bangladesh, and a field validation of a point-of-care test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomonas infections in Kenya. She worked part-time on WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital’s Maternity Unit from July 2023 until last October 2024. Lisa has served on the WHO Perinatal Guidelines Executive Steering Group, the Trans-NIH Plan for HIV-Related Research for Women and Girls Planning Group, and the Executive Board for the Infectious Diseases Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology. She has published research and commentary in a range of journals, including AJOG, Journal of Infectious Diseases, Lancet HIV, The Lancet, and The New England Journal of Medicine, and is the author of Chapter 55, Infectious Diseases, in Prenatal and Postnatal Care: A Person-Centered Approach, 3rd Edition.
Maritza I. Raimundi-Petroski, MPA
Maritza I. Raimundi-Petroski (she/her/ella) is the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Prevention, and Community Engagement at The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey (CHSofNJ). With over two and a half decades of experience in non-profit management, Maritza has developed significant expertise in organizational development, program design and implementation, and contract management at both state and federal levels.
Before her current role, Maritza held the position of Division Director for Maternal Child Health, Family, and Community Support Services at CHSofNJ for 13 years, where she has been employed since 2004. Her leadership extended further as Chief Program Officer at the Puerto Rican Action Board (PRAB), where she managed a range of services, including early childhood, family support, youth programs, and housing services.
Maritza’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is underscored by her DEI certificates from the University of South Florida and Rutgers University’s Center for Executive Leadership in Government. She holds a dual bachelor’s degree in Puerto Rican Hispanic Caribbean Studies and Spanish, a master’s in public administration, and a Graduate Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Rutgers University. Additionally, she is a certified Community Health Worker and received her Community-Based Doula Training Trainer certification from Health Connect One.
Active in advisory and governance roles, Maritza has served on the NJ Doula Learning Collaborative Advisory Board, as Vice Chair and Trustee for the Trenton Health Team Board of Directors, and as a member of the Colette Lamothe-Galette Community Health Worker Institute of NJ. Recently, she was invited by the U.S. Office of Minority Health to join their inaugural Community of Practice for their Healthy Families Community-Based Perinatal Health Initiative (COPHI). She is also one of six public board members appointed by Governor Murphy to the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority and contributes to the NJ Community Health Worker Hub’s committees on certification, education, and recruitment.