Board Meeting
May 3, 2019
The Alabama State Board of Midwifery met on Friday, May 3, 2019, to conduct business. Board members physically present at the primary physical location were: (1) Ms Noel Leithart (Board Chair), (2) Ms Tori Dennis (member), (3) Ms Kaycee Cavender (member). Board members in attendance electronically were (1) Ms Marietta Nero (member), (2) Ms Stacey Bufkin (member), and (3) Ms Colleen Tullis (member). Also in attendance was Ms Bettie Carmack (attorney). The physical meeting was held at Vestavia City Hall, Vestavia Hills.
The members of the public at the physical location were Brian Massey from St Vincent’s Hospital, Rebekah Myrick, Nancy Megginson, Donna Mitchell, Regina Woodley, Hope Hamilton, and Christian Montgomery.
The Board meeting had been advertised on the Secretary of State’s website, in accordance with the Alabama Open Meetings Act. There being a quorum of board members present electronically and at the physical location, Ms Leithart, Board Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 11:02 a.m. and proceeded to preside over the meeting.
Ms. Leithart presented the February 1, 2019, meeting minutes for the Board’s approval. A copy of the minutes was provided to the members prior to the meeting for their review. No corrections or addendums were made. Ms Cavender made a motion to adopt the February 1 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Ms Dennis and unanimously approved by the Board.
Ms Leithart reported that she and Ms Nero had attended the Regulatory Board Member training in Montgomery on March 1, 2019, and she urged the other members to attend a training. Ms Leithart also reported that Vital Records has issued forms for the licensed midwives to use for filing births, and that communications with Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) and Medicaid continue. Ms Leithart intends to take a STAARS training class. She reported that she has begun the registration process for the Secretary of State’s office as a State Board. She also brought up the vacancy on the Board and said that she had communicated with the Governor’s office, who has a candidate. The position is awaiting approval by the Senate. Ms Leithart reported that the website has been updated to include the midwives’ license numbers and expiration dates.
Ms Carmack reported that she contacted STAARS and is awaiting approval for waiver of fees. She also reported that the AG’s office has not yet rendered an opinion on the issue of newborn screening cards. Ms Carmack brought a template for a potential bid for executive director.
Ms Dennis made a motion to go into executive session for 30 minutes for the purpose of discussing the legal ramifications of submitting a bid for executive director without access to the funds with which to pay one. The motion was seconded, and Ms Carmack certified the executive session. Roll call vote was taken: Ms Bufkin aye, Ms Cavender aye, Ms Dennis aye, Ms Tullis aye, Ms Nero aye, Ms Leithart aye. The motion carried. Executive Session began at 11:12am.
Motion to reconvene the meeting of the Board was made by Ms Cavender and seconded by Ms Leithart. Roll Call vote was taken. Ms Bufkin aye, Ms Cavender aye, Ms Dennis aye, Ms Tullis aye, Ms Nero aye, Ms Leithart aye. The ASBM resumed general open meeting at 11:42am.
Ms Dennis motioned and Ms Nero seconded the motion for Ms Leithart and Ms Carmack to work on the bid for an executive director. The motion carried with unanimous vote.
Ms Cavender motioned that the Annual Statistics to be filed by the midwives must be postmarked by February 1 each year with a $250 fine to be imposed. Ms Dennis seconded the motion. Motion carried with unanimous vote.
Ms Dennis motioned to have Ms Carmack and Ms Leithart work on rewriting the Rules concerning the makeup of the Complaint Review Committee. Seconded by Ms Nero. All in favor. Ms Cavender motioned to amend the rules regarding complaints. Ms Leithart seconded. All in favor.
Ms Dennis made a motion to go into executive session for 30 minutes for the purpose of discussing the good name and character of the applicants for licensure. Ms Cavender seconded the motion. Ms Carmack said that Ms Tullis must recuse herself from executive session, since her application was included, and then certified the executive session. Roll Call vote was taken: Ms Bufkin voted aye; Ms Cavender voted aye; Ms Tullis voted aye; Ms Nero voted aye; Ms Leithart voted aye; Ms Dennis voted aye. The motion was unanimously approved by the Board. Executive session began at 12:03am. Ms Cavender motioned to reconvene the regular board meeting at 12:33pm. Ms Dennis seconded. Roll call vote was taken: Ms Bufkin voted aye; Ms Cavender voted aye; Ms Nero voted aye; Ms Leithart voted aye; Ms Dennis voted aye. The motion carried unanimously. The Board resumed the general meeting at 12:33pm.
Ms Dennis motioned to grant license to Applicant A532019. Ms Leithart seconded. Ms Bufkin aye, Ms Cavender aye, Ms Dennis aye, Ms Tullis abstain, Ms Nero aye, Ms Leithart aye. 5 in favor, 1 abstained
Ms Dennis made a motion to grant license to applicant B532019, seconded by Ms Cavender, roll call vote: Ms Bufkin aye, Ms Cavender aye, Ms Dennis aye, Ms Tullis abstain, Ms Nero aye, Ms Leithart aye. 5 in favor, 1 abstained
Ms Dennis motioned to grant license to Applicant C532019, seconded by Ms Cavender, roll call vote: Ms Bufkin aye, Ms Cavender aye, Ms Dennis aye, Ms Tullis abstain, Ms Nero aye, Ms Leithart aye. 5 in favor, 1 abstained
Ms Leithart expressed congratulations to newly Licensed Midwives Chloe Raum LM-0007, Colleen Tullis LM-0008, and Jo Crawford LM-0009.
Ms Cavender made a motion to amend the application form in relation to home/mailing address. Seconded by Ms Dennis. All in favor.
Ms Dennis motioned to authorize Ms Leithart to purchase PLI for the Board when the funds become available. Second by Ms Nero. All in favor.
The Board solicited comments from the public. The question was posed if a CPM was retired, could she serve on the Board. The Board decided that if a CPM still holds that title from NARM, then she is eligible. Next meeting is on August 23 in Montgomery.
There was no further business of the Board. Ms. Cavender made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Dennis seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Ms. Leithart adjourned the meeting at 1:20 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
___________________
Noel J. Leithart
Chair