ASBM Board Meeting Minutes
Vestavia Hills City Hall
December 10, 2021
The Alabama State Board of Midwifery met on Friday, December 10, 2021, to conduct business. This meeting was held at Vestavia Hills City Hall. In attendance were: (1) Stacey Bufkin, Chair (2) Chris Megginson (member) (3) Noel Leithart (member), (4) Marietta Nero (member), (5) Christine Litas (member), (6) Laura Reeder, (member). Stephanie Armstead (member) was absent. Mr. Brad Chynoweth, Board attorney and Dr. Sharon Porterfield (Administrative Assistant) were in attendance.
The members of the public in attendance were Mr. Matt Hart (attorney, Alabama Board of Medical Examiners), Nancy Megginson, LM, CPM and Rebekah Myrick, LM, CPM, Allison Miller, Birmingham Born, Hope Hamilton, for Birth Givers-MW, Katie Terry, The Shoals Doula, Kayla Bitten,
The Postpartum Clinic, Stephanie Mitchell, Birth Sanctuary, Gainesville and Tracie Stone were present.
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, Dr. Porterfield, Administrative Assistant, called the meeting to order at 11:16 a.m. and introduced the Board Chair, Ms. Bufkin.
Ms. Bufkin welcomed the guests and presented meeting minutes for the Board’s approval. Copies of the minutes were provided to the members prior to the meeting for their review. After no corrections, Ms. Leithart made a motion to adopt the September 10, 2021, minutes. The motion was seconded by Ms. Litas. A roll call vote was taken. All in favor: Bufkin, aye, Megginson, aye, Leithart, aye, Litas, aye, Nero, aye, and Reeder, aye. None opposed. The September 10, 2021 minutes were unanimously approved by the Board.
Reports:
Board Chair Report:
The chair, Ms. Bufkin, asked for updates on the AG opinion of the Newborn Screening Cards. Mr. Chynoweth explained to the Board the law and the status of the Newborn Screening cards. Ms. Leithart made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss the legal ramifications of the Newborn Screening cards with a time limitation of 30 minutes. It was seconded by Mr. Megginson. It was certified by the Board’s attorney, Mr. Chynoweth. A roll call vote was taken. All in favor: Bufkin, aye, Megginson, aye, Leithart, aye, Litas, aye, Nero, aye, and Reeder, aye. The motion passed with none opposed. The Board entered Executive Session at 11:20. Discussion took place.
Mr. Megginson made the motion to reenter General Session, it was seconded by Ms. Leithart.
A roll call vote was taken. All in favor: Bufkin, aye, Megginson, aye, Leithart, aye, Litas, aye, Nero, aye, and Reeder, aye. The motion passed with none opposed. The Board reentered General Session at 11:50. Mr. Megginson thanked the Board’s attorney and stated that the Board looked
forward to an opportunity for further dialogue with ADPH.
Legal Council Report
The Board’s Attorney, Brad Chynoweth had no report.
Administrative Assistant Report
The Administrative Assistant (Dr. Sharon Porterfield) report consisted of a review of the administrative assistant quarterly report and the financial report dated September 10, 2021 through
December 10, 2021. The Board’s website has been updated to include missing definitions. All State Quarterly reports have been filed with the State in a timely manner. Alabama has 18 licensed Midwives.
New Business
Applicants for New License
Ms. Bufkin, chair, informed the Board that there were two (2) applicants for license. Ms. Leithart made a motion to go into Executive Session for 15 minutes to discuss the good name and character of the two (2) applicants. It was seconded by Mr. Megginson.A roll call vote was taken; all in favor; Leithart, aye, Reeder, aye, Megginson, aye, Litas, aye, Nero, aye, and Bufkin, aye. The motion passed unanimously. The Board went into Executive session at 11:52. Discussion took place.
Mr. Megginson made a motion to leave Executive Session and reenter the General Session. It was seconded by Ms. Leithart. A roll call vote was taken; all in favor; Leithart, aye, Reeder, aye, Megginson, aye, Litas, aye, Bufkin, aye and Nero, aye. The motion passed. The Board reentered the General Session at 12:07. Ms. Bufkin reopened the General Session with a call for a motion to approve the applicants.
Ms. Marietta Nero made a motion to approve applicant LM-0021 for new license. It was seconded by Ms. Leithart. A roll call vote was taken. All in favor: Bufkin, aye, Megginson, aye, Leithart, aye, Litas, aye, Nero, aye, and Reeder, aye. The motion passed with none opposed. Applicant LM-0021 was approved as an Alabama Licensed Midwife. Ms. Bufkin offered congratulations to Hope Hamilton from Birmingham, Alabama
Ms. Marietta Nero made a motion to approve applicant LM-0022 for new license. It was seconded by Ms. Leithart. A roll call vote was taken. All in favor; Leithart, aye, Bufkin, aye, Reeder, aye, Megginson, aye, Litas, aye, and Nero, aye. None opposed. The motion passes. Applicant LM-0022 was approved as an Alabama Licensed Midwife. Ms. Bufkin offered congratulations to Dr. Stephanie Mitchell from Gainesville, Alabama. Ms. Bufkin also recognized the fact that Dr. Mitchell is the first African American midwife licensed in the State of Alabama.
Annual Statistics Reporting Form
Copies of a revised Annual Statistics Reporting Form were provided to the members prior to the meeting for their review. Board member Ms. Litas discussed the form and provided clarification for the revised form. She stated that members of the Alabama Midwives Alliance (ALMA) were involved in the review of the form. She said some of the language was changed to reflect the same language that is in the statue. New language added is “to the best of my knowledge” and also added the Board’s email address, [email protected]asit was not listed on the previous form.
Ms. Leithart made a motion to adopt the revised annual statistics form. It was seconded by Ms. Reeder. A roll call vote was taken. All in favor: Bufkin, aye, Megginson, aye, Leithart, aye, Litas, aye, Nero, aye, and Reeder, aye. The motion passed to adopt the revised form and it will be placed on the Board’s website.
Comments or Concerns from the public
There were no concerns or comments from the public.
At the end of the Board’s meeting, Ms. Stacey Bufkin resigned as Board’s Chair and resigned from the Alabama State Board of Midwifery. Ms. Leithart and Mr. Megginson thanked Ms. Bufkin for her service on the Board and for serving as Chair of the Board. She will be missed. Ms. Marietta Nero also resigned as a Board member.
There was a motion made by Ms. Leithart to adjourn the meeting. It was seconded by Ms. Nero. The Alabama State Board of Midwifery was adjourned at 12:25 PM.
Respectfully submitted by,
Dr. Sharon J. Porterfield
Administrative Assistant