A 1973 graduate of the Mississippi Medical Center Nurse-Midwifery Education Program, Reedy has spent over 30 years contributing to midwifery and women's health. Reedy founded four midwifery practices, including the practice at Parkland Memorial Hospital, which is the largest midwifery practice in the United States. Reedy is currently the Director of Nurse-Midwifery Services at Texas Health Care, PLLC in Fort Worth, Texas. Reedy received an MPH from the University of Illinois in 1977 and has exemplified dedication to midwifery, in clinical practice, policy, advocacy, mentorship, education, leadership, and service.
"Over the years this midwife's dedication to midwifery, in all its aspects, including practice, policy, advocacy, mentorship, education, leadership and service, has been outstanding," said Katherine Camacho Carr, CNM, PhD, former ACNM President, during the award presentation. "I would venture to say that she even has celebrity status among us, not only because of her legendary midwifery contributions, but also because of her wit, her sense of humor and her honest, if not opinionated approach to everything."
Reedy has had a long standing commitment to underserved women. She currently has plans to move to a new women's hospital supported in part by an endowment to ensure care for vulnerable populations.
Reedy has played key roles in ACNM. She served on the ACNM Board of Directors as Region V Representative from 1994-1997 and as Region IV Representative from 1980-1984. She served on the ACNM Nominating Committee, the Bylaws Committee, the Political & Economic Affairs Committee, the ACNM Summit on Nurse-Midwifery Education, the ad hoc Committee to Revise the Ethical Code for Midwives, and the National Commission on Nurse-Midwifery Education, in addition to playing many roles in her local chapters. Currently, Reedy serves as an ACNM Division of Accreditation site visitor.
Reedy supported the development of the service Directors Network, and the A.C.N.M. Foundation. Her wisdom and guidance as the President of the A.C.N.M. Foundation turned the Foundation into a dynamic, fiscally sound, and successful fund-raising endeavor. She has tirelessly worked for sister organizations, including the March of Dimes, the National Certification Corporation for Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing Specialties and the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (formerly NAACOG).
The Hattie Hemschemeyer Award, named in honor of ACNM's first president and a pioneer of the profession, is given annually to an ACNM member who has been certified for at least ten years, has not previously been selected for the award, and has fulfilled one of the following categories: continuous outstanding contributions or distinguished service to midwifery and/or maternal child health; or, has made contributions of historical significance to the development and advancement of midwifery, ACNM, or maternal-child health.
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