Research sites

The following researchers are active with Centering studies and are willing to be contacted about their work.

1. Carrie Klima CNM, PhD
   University of Illinois Chicago
   845 S. Damen
   Chicago,IL 60612
   Phone: (312) 996-1863
   Email: cklima@UIC.edu
   
   CenteringPregnancy Interests:
   I am particularly interested in empowerment of women enrolled in group health care and evaluation of outcomes, especially with underserved populations. I have particular expertise in working in large systems both implementing and evaluating group care. Also have expertise and interest in using qualitative methods like phenomenology and ethnography to explore the group care experience.
   
   
2. Sally Northam, RN, PhD
   Professor
   College of Nursing and Health Sciences
   The University of Texas at Tyler
   3900 University Blvd.
   Tyler, Texas 75799
   Phone: (940) 321-5352
   Email: snortham@uttyler.edu
   
   Study: CP in 14 sites across Texas 2007-2009 enrolled over 400 mothers
   Variables: Perceived maternal stress (intake and 8th month); Social support (intake and 8th month); # CP visits; Maternal risks; Outcomes: infant birth weight; gestational age; premature labor.
   Findings: TBA in the summer of 2009
   
   
3. Karen Baldwin CNM, Ed.D., FACNM
   Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Graduate Nursing Program
   Mount Saint Mary College
   330 Powell Ave.
   Newburgh, NY 12572
   Phone: (845) 569-3512
   Email: baldwin@msmc.edu
   
   Karen has been involved with the CenteringPregnancy movement since 2000, finished her doctorate in Health Education at Teachers College, Columbia University in 2003 and wrote her doctoral dissertation on CenteringPregnancy. The results of this study are published in JMWH Jan/Feb 2006. Karen served as faculty, and now serves as a site visitor for CP. Her research continues, as she and Gail Phillips completed a qualitative study looking at the implementation of CP from midwives’ perspectives. The results of this study were presented at the CHI conference in Indiana in 2008, and will be presented at the Annual Meeting of the ACNM in Seattle in May 2009. Dr. Baldwin has given many presentations on CP, continues to be interested in outcomes of CP, and would entertain possibilities of teaming with other researchers in studying these.
   
   
4. Deborah Wage, MSN, FNP, CNM
   Vanderbilt Department of OBGYN
   Vanderbilt Medical Center
   Medical Center North
   B-1100
   Nashville, TN 37203
   Email: deborah.wage@vanderbilt.edu
   
   Research Areas:
   Resident Education and Knowledge Acquisition: Traditional Care vs Group Care Provider Satisfaction Issues
   SocioEconomic Diversity in Centering Groups: Consumer Acceptance
   
   
5. Larissa G. Duncan, Ph.D.
   Osher Center for Integrative Medicine
   University of California San Francisco
   UCSF Box 1726
   San Francisco, CA 94143-1726
   Phone: (415) 353-7504
   Email: duncanLa@ocim.ucsf.edu
   
   I am interested in determining the effects of CenteringPregnancy on the psychological, autonomic, and psychoneuroendocrine aspects of the maternal stress and coping process. I have expertise in the development and evaluation of mindfulness-based, integrative stress reduction interventions for families. I am currently working with Nancy Bardacke, CNM, MA, to develop and test a mindfulness enhancement of the CenteringPregnancy curriculum.
   
   
6. Jeannette Ickovics, PhD
   Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health
   Yale University
   60 College Street
   New Haven, CT 06510
   Email: Jeannette.ickovics@yale.edu
   
   Principle Investigator of the CenteringPregnancy randomized controlled trial involving over 1000 women in public clinics in New Haven and Atlanta and principle investigator on another randomized trial with the Clinical Directors Network in New York of young women in the CenteringPregnancy Plus model. Interests include a focus on psycho-social and birth outcomes.
   
   
7. Deborah S. Walker, DNSc, CNM, WHNP-BC, FNP-BC, FACNM
   Associate Professor Graduate Program Director, Nurse-Midwife and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Specialties
   Wayne State University College of Nursing and School of Medicine, Ob/Gyn
   5557 Cass Ave., Rm. 248
   Detroit, MI 48202
   Phone: (313) 577-5926
   Fax: (313) 577-4188
   Email: dswalker@wayne.edu
   
   My research interests include the translation of CenteringPregnancy into clinical practice and comparing the effectiveness of CenteringPregnancy with other care models.
   
   
8. Suzanne Tough, PhD
   Professor Dept of Paediatrics and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary
   c/o 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW
   Calgary, Alberta
   Canada T3B 6A8
   Phone: (403) 955-2272
   Email: suzanne.tough@albertahealthservices.ca
   
   Dr. Tough is a Professor with the Departments of Paediatrics and Community Health Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary, and holds adjunct appointments at with the University of Alberta and the University of Manitoba. She is also the Scientific Director of the Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research, an organization whose vision is to improve child, family and community well-being through applied research. Dr. Tough’s research program seeks to improve the health and well-being of women during pregnancy to achieve optimal maternal, birth and early childhood outcomes. Specifically, Dr. Tough has research interests in the area of maternal and child health, preconception and prenatal care, low birth weight and preterm birth, delayed childbearing, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. The underlying aim of Dr. Tough’s research program is to create evidence that informs the development of community and clinical programs and influences policy to optimize birth and childhood outcomes. Dr. Tough is currently leading a pilot study of Centering Pregnancy at the Maternity Care Clinic, a family physician low risk maternity practice in Calgary, Alberta.
9. Pamela K. Xaverius, PhD
   Assistant Research Professor
   Saint Louis University, School of Medicine
   Department of Family and Community Medicine
   1402 South Grand Blvd.
   St. Louis, MO 63104
   Office: (314) 977-8488
   Cell: (573) 301-0046
   Fax: (888) 631-1104
   
   CenteringPregnancy® prenatal care model, which treats pregnant women in groups. This new grant will continue the momentum started last year, by continuing efforts to raise awareness among health care providers, as well as starting and providing ongoing support for up to 12 CenteringPregnancy® groups in Missouri. My academic interest areas are in maternal and child health, with particular attention on preconception health, prenatal care, and disparities in birth outcomes.

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