MISSION STATMENT                                          
THE MISSION OF THE FLORIDA SCHOOL OF TRADITIONAL MIDWIFERY IS TO OFFER THE FINEST IN DIRECT-ENTRY MIDWIFERY EDUCATION IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. WE BELIEVE THAT IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF AND ACCESS TO MIDWIFERY SERVICES. OUR GRADUATES ARE COMMUNITY BUILDERS WHO USE MIDWIFERY AS THEIR TOOL.

INTRODUCTION

THE FLORIDA SCHOOL OF TRADITIONAL MIDWIFERY, INC (FSTM) IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING QUALITY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR THOSE WHO SHARE OUR DESIRE TO PROVIDE THE BEST CARE FOR CHILDBEARING WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES. GRADUATES OF OUR MIDWIFERY PROGRAMS ARE ELIGIBLE TO BECOME FLORIDA LICENSED MIDWIVES.

FSTM is a Not-for-Profit 501(c)3 corporation organized under Florida law and licensed by the Florida Department of Education. We offer direct-entry midwifery educational programs which are based on combining the art of traditional midwifery with today’s knowledge of medical science. Direct-entry is a term borrowed from Europe where the majority of midwives enter directly into midwifery education; nursing is not a prerequisite.

Our programs are designed to enable students to develop and refine the clinical and communication skills that are essential components of midwifery care. Emphasis is also placed on teaching the art of out-of-hospital birth, differentiating between low-risk and high-risk pregnancies and preparing students to organize and operate their practices after licensing. Our midwifery programs provide students the knowledge and skills essential to practice as a Licensed Midwife under the Midwifery Practice Act, Florida Statute 467. In keeping with Florida law, we have incorporated into our midwifery programs the Core Competencies of the Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) and the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM). Our students’ clinical experiences take place in a variety of home birth practices, community-based birth centers, clinics and hospitals located throughout Florida. Our goal at FSTM is to educate and prepare students to become skilled, caring midwives who will be available to serve women and families in their communities.

Upon graduation, midwifery students will receive a Specialized Associates Degree from FSTM and are eligible to sit for the state licensed midwifery examination. The State of Florida utilizes the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) national examination for this purpose. Upon passing this exam, graduates are eligible to practice as Licensed Midwives (LM) in Florida. They are also eligible to become nationally certified through NARM as Certified Professional Midwives (CPM).

OUR PHILOSOPHY

WE BELIEVE THAT EVERY WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO THE MATERNITY CARE PROVIDER OF HER CHOICE AND TO THE INFORMATION NECESSARY TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS.

We believe that midwives should be based in their communities where they are able to provide maternity care, education and social support to women and their families.

The Florida School of Traditional Midwifery, Inc. is dedicated to:

• Providing quality midwifery educational programs
• Advancing the profession of midwifery