The University of Washington’s midwifery, neonatal, and perinatal programs are under threat of being discontinued due to a recent assessment of the overall School of Nursing’s future.

The Sustainable Academic Business Pan Group has assessed the School of Nursing in order to make changes that will secure its future. As a result of its report, a vote was taken (25 to 19) that declares the midwifery, neonatal, and perinatal programs should be ousted from the School.

Director of Midwifery program, Ira Kantrowitz-Gordon and declared her obvious opposition to the decision. She states that the program and the professions that students gain after completing the three year degree are essential. She says she understands that budget cuts are necessary in order to reduce programs but completely eliminating a program is quite drastic. Kantrowitz-Gordon defends her position due to the fact that care for pregnant women has been on the decline, while pregnancies in Washington state are increasing. From the early 00s to 2008, births have risen 13 percent in the state while professionals in the field of obstetrics has fallen 13 percent. Because of these realities, the midwifery, prenatal, and neonatal programs are very relevant.

The SABP was brought in to gather data in the School of Nursing and produce a sustainable business plan. Now that professors in the School have voted on the plan, it will move to the dean and then UW’s provost. The provost will vet the measure again according to the Reorganization, Consolidation, or Elimination of Programs (RCEP). This process includes additional reviews by committees unaffiliated with the School of Nursing.

The entire process will take some time. The School is already accepting applications for the program for Fall of 2012. If the program is eliminated, this will be the last graduating class. This Midwifery program is one of only two programs of its kind in the entire Northwest region of the country. An official petition has been set up on Change.org and has already gained 3,500 signatures against the proposed elimination.