About the South Carolina Affiliate of ACNM
Advancing Midwifery. Supporting Families. Strengthening South Carolina.
The South Carolina Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) brings together Certified Nurse-Midwives, midwifery students, educators, health care partners, and supporters from across the state. As a state affiliate of ACNM, we support midwives, advance the profession, strengthen education and collaboration, and promote high-quality, equitable care for the people and communities midwives serve.
Who We Are
Midwives provide care across the lifespan, including pregnancy, labor and birth, postpartum care, sexual and reproductive health, gynecologic care, family planning, preconception services, primary care, and care of healthy newborns. Midwives practice in hospitals, clinics, private practices, community settings, birth centers, homes, and through telehealth.
Our Work in South Carolina
Connect
Build relationships among midwives, students, educators, health care partners, and communities throughout South Carolina.
Educate
Help families understand midwifery care while supporting education, mentoring, and professional development for current and future midwives.
Strengthen the Workforce
Support efforts that expand South Carolina’s midwifery workforce and improve access to midwifery care, including in rural and underserved communities.
Advance the Profession
Promote professional excellence, evidence-informed practice, collaboration, and greater awareness of the role midwives play in South Carolina.
Midwifery in South Carolina
A Long History — and a New Chapter
South Carolina has a long history of nurse-midwifery education, practice, and professional leadership. Today, the Affiliate continues that work by connecting professionals, supporting students, strengthening partnerships, and helping expand access to midwifery care throughout the state.
The University of South Carolina launched its Nurse-Midwifery program in 2025, creating an important in-state pathway for registered nurses pursuing graduate midwifery education and helping strengthen South Carolina’s maternal health workforce.
Connected Locally. Connected Nationally.
As part of the American College of Nurse-Midwives, the South Carolina Affiliate connects members with a national professional community supporting midwifery education, professional practice, research, collaboration, and advocacy.
ACNM’s vision is “Midwifery for every community.” The South Carolina Affiliate carries that vision forward by supporting the people who provide midwifery care and the communities they serve across our state.
Our Connection to ACNM
National connection. Professional resources, education, standards, and a broader midwifery community.
Statewide focus. South Carolina-specific relationships, education, outreach, workforce development, and member engagement.
Meet Our Leadership
The South Carolina Affiliate of ACNM is led by nurse-midwives committed to strengthening the profession, supporting midwives and students, and expanding access to high-quality midwifery care throughout South Carolina.
Jennifer Baumstark, DNP, APRN, CNM, FACNM
President
Jennifer Baumstark is a Certified Nurse-Midwife, Associate Professor, and Director of the Nurse-Midwifery Program at the University of South Carolina College of Nursing. With more than two decades of clinical and academic experience, she has practiced full-scope midwifery and is helping expand South Carolina’s midwifery workforce through education, mentorship, and professional leadership.
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Sheila Dell, LM, CPM, RNC, CNM, MSN
Vice President
Sheila Dell is a Certified Nurse-Midwife and midwifery leader serving families in the Greenville and Spartanburg areas through Celestial Midwifery. Her professional work spans nurse-midwifery and community-based birth care, and she has also contributed to statewide midwifery leadership and professional collaboration in South Carolina.
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Melanie C. Kittrell, MSN, CNM
Secretary
Melanie Kittrell is a Certified Nurse-Midwife with a background in nursing education, labor and delivery, and comprehensive women’s health care. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Nurse-Midwifery from East Carolina University and provides midwifery and OB/GYN care through MUSC Health in Orangeburg, St. Matthews, and Bowman. She is passionate about patient education, serving her local community, and precepting future health care providers.
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Linda George, CNM, MSN, FACNM
Treasurer
Linda George is a Certified Nurse-Midwife with decades of experience serving women and families, particularly in rural South Carolina communities. A longtime leader within the South Carolina Affiliate of ACNM, she served for many years as Affiliate President and has remained active in efforts related to midwifery practice, professional advancement, and the growth of nurse-midwifery education in South Carolina.
Sharon Bond, PhD, CNM, FACNM
Member at Large
Sharon Bond is a Certified Nurse-Midwife, educator, scholar, and Fellow of the American College of Nurse-Midwives. Her career has included rural midwifery practice in South Carolina and academic work associated with the Medical University of South Carolina, with contributions to midwifery education, research, and women’s health.
Interested in getting involved? The South Carolina Affiliate welcomes midwives, students and others who want to support the growth of midwifery across our state.