Alabama State Board of Midwifery Meeting Minutes
The Alabama State Board of Midwifery met on June 12, 2026, to conduct business. Board members present included (1) Ms. Laura Reeder (Chair), (2) Dr. Noel Leithart (member), (3) Ms. Christine Litas (member), (4) Ms. Tiffany Martin, (5) Mr. Chris Megginson (member), (6) Dr. Eileen Meyer, and (7) Dr. Pam Smith (member). Also present was Mr. Brad Chynoweth, attorney to the Board.
The member of the public in attendance was Rebekah Myrick, LM.
The Board meeting had been advertised on the Secretary of State’s website, in accordance with the Alabama Open Meetings Act. With a quorum of board members present, Ms. Reeder called the meeting to order at 10:02 am.
Ms. Reeder presented the May 20, 2026, board meeting minutes. Dr. Leithart moved to accept the minutes. It was seconded by Ms. Litas and approved unanimously by the board.
Administrative Assistant Report: Dr. Leithart gave the quarterly report and the financial report in Dr. Sharon Porterfield’s absence. She reported two new applicants and eleven renewal applicants.
Legal Counsel Report: Mr. Chynoweth, Board Attorney, updated the Board on the ACLU lawsuit against the Alabama Department of Public Health related to ADPH’s ability to regulate freestanding birth centers and the practice of licensed midwives’ in freestanding birth centers. Mr. Chynoweth also advised the Board that the complaint review committee was ready to make recommendations to the Board on complaints 2026-01 and 2026-02.
Ms. Litas called for an executive session of 60 minutes to discuss the good name and character of the complainees, in addition to the good name and character of licensure applicants. Dr. Smith seconded the motion. Role Call Vote: Leithart, aye; Litas, aye; Martin, aye; Megginson, aye; Meyer aye; Smith, aye; Reeder, aye. The executive session began at 10:20 a.m.
Open session resumed at 11:22 a.m.
Mr. Chynoweth shared the complaint review committee’s recommendation to dismiss Complaint 2026-01 for a lack of probable cause. Ms. Litas motioned the Board to accept the recommendation to dismiss the complaint. Dr. Meyer seconded the motion. Role Call Vote: Leithart, abstain; Litas, aye; Martin, aye; Megginson, abstain; Meyer, aye; Smith, aye, Reeder, aye. Complaint 2026-01 was dismissed for a lack of probable cause.
Mr. Chynoweth shared the complaint review committee’s recommendation to dismiss Complaint 2026-02 for a lack of jurisdiction. Ms. Martin motioned the Board to accept the recommendation to dismiss the complaint. Dr. Smith seconded the motion. Role Call Vote: Leithart, abstain; Litas, aye; Martin, aye; Megginson, abstain; Meyer, aye; Smith, aye, Reeder, aye. Complaint 2026-01 was dismissed for a lack of jurisdiction.
Ms. Reeder next presented the initial license application for LM-0044. Dr. Leithart motioned to approve the application. The motion was seconded by Ms. Litas. The motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Reeder next presented the initial license application for LM-0045. Dr. Leithart motioned to approve the application. The motion was seconded by Dr. Meyer. The motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Reeder congratulated the new applicants Ms. Holly Kaddour, LM-0044, and Ms. Sheradia Seek, LM-0045, both will serve South Alabama.
Ms. Reeder next presented 11 license renewal applications. Mr. Megginson motioned to approve license renewal applications for LM-0001, LM-0002, LM-0004, LM-0005, LM-0006, LM-0007, LM-0008, LM-0009, LM0018, LM0019, and LM-0024. Dr. Leithart second the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Ms Reeder and Mr. Chynoweth reminded the Board draft rules will need to be presented at the September meeting to meet statutory changes that occurred during the 2026 Legislative Session, along with any additional rules changes the Board deems necessary.
Ms Reeder notified the Board that Dr. Porterfield’s administrative assistant contract can be renewed one more year. Ms. Litas motioned to offer Dr. Porterfield a one-year renewal on her contract. Ms. Martin seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Ms Reeder notified the Board that her two-year term as Chair had come to an end and nominated Dr. Leithart to serve as Board Chair for the next two-year term. Ms. Martin seconded the nomination. The Board approved unanimously.
Dr. Leithart appointed Ms. Reeder to serve in her place as the CPM on the Complaint Review Committee. The appointment was approved by the board unanimously.
Dr. Leithart reminded everyone of the future meetings of 2026
Meeting dates for 2026 @ Vestavia City Hall @ 10 a.m.
Sept 11
Dec 11
With no further business to discuss and no comments from the public, Ms. Reeder made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Litas seconded the motion. It passed unanimously. Dr. Leithart adjourned the meeting at 11:40 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dr. Noel Leithart
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