Breman Named Fellow of Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses

Baltimore, Md. – University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) assistant professor Rachel Blankstein Breman, PhD '18, MPH, RN, FAWHONN, has been named a 2024 Fellow of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). She was inducted during the organization's annual convention in Phoenix on June 8.

The designation as an AWHONN Fellow recognizes nurse leaders who have made substantive and sustained contributions to the health of women and newborns beyond expectations of their role. AWHONN Fellows have demonstrated outstanding contributions to clinical practice, research, education, advocacy, or policy at the regional, national, or global level that reflect AWHONN’s mission. These contributions to the profession have a wide-reaching impact on the care of women and newborns. AWHONN Fellows also demonstrate extended involvement in AWHONN beyond attendance at events, such as involvement at the state or national level. Overall, becoming an AWHONN Fellow demonstrates a nurse’s commitment to the profession and to the highest standards of nursing care in the specialty of women’s health, obstetric, or neonatal nursing. In 2024, there were 14 Fellows inducted into the program.

“I am honored and so excited to join this amazing group of nurse leaders and innovators in maternity care," Breman said. "It is humbling to be a member of the group and I hope my contributions help to address the significant disparities and improve maternal health and birth outcomes nationally and globally.”

Breman, who joined UMSON in 2018, specializes in maternal health, intrapartum care, shared decision-making, implementation and dissemination research, and outcomes research.

Last fall, Breman received a grant of $1,055,563 from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Healthcare and Research Quality to validate the reliability of the CHOICEs: CHildbirth Options, Information, and Person-Centered Explanation shared decision-making protocol.

She also received a $60,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Public Health in collaboration with the Maryland Patient Safety Center and Your Birth Partners, a nonprofit organization. This grant will fund interactive webinars on how to implement trauma-informed care for all birth workers in Maryland.

pictured, from left, Cheryl Bellamy, president of the board of directors of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN); Rachel Blankstein Breman; and Jonathan Webb, CEO of AWHONN.

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The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.