Susan Cassel CNM, MSN
To Whom It May Concern: January 11, 2005
I am a Certified Nurse Midwife employed by the University of California San Diego Medical Center. In December 2004, we sponsored a neonatal resuscitation workshop for our staff, taught by Karen Strange, a Certified Professional Midwife.
Like many providers, I have attended numerous NRP courses throughout my career. Ms Strange's course, however, is a singularly, unique program in several ways. While the customary and necessary NRP information is covered in this course, Ms Strange includes information from many other sources that complement and expand the information learned. Her didactic material includes discussions and explanations of physiology, psychology and emotional components of the baby's experience that deepen one's understanding of the process of resuscitation. This enhances and solidifies the rote learning required for successful neonatal resuscitation.
Ms Strange is able to teach the techniques of resuscitation in a relaxed, calm, empowering fashion. She minimizes performance anxiety by creating a casual, informal, and highly effective teaching/learning environment. A tangible sense of camaraderie and mutual success is created amongst participants.
Historically we know that it is not hard to educate health care practitioners with more current information and techniques. What is difficult is to accomplish a change in their actual practice. After taking Ms Strange's course, several of our staff midwives have consciously changed their practices of neonatal management in ways that enhance and respect the newborn, as well as support a less aggressive, violent interaction in the transition period. I attribute this successful outcome to the quality and style of Ms Strange's teaching. She is very effective in communicating and imparting an understanding and respect for the process of resuscitation that compels participants to rethink their current practices.
I believe that the UCSD Midwifery group now performs more effective, yet more gentle, respectful, and less frantic resuscitation techniques than prior to this workshop. In the future, the UCSD midwives plan to utilize Ms Strange's services every two years for our ongoing educational NRP needs. I highly recommend her services to all practitioners that are responsible for newborn babies.
Respectfully,
Susan Cassel CNM, MSN
La Jolla, Ca 92037
