My name is Kelly Sicoli, CNM, and I have been a practicing Certified Nurse-Midwife for the past 12 years in the community setting. I am writing to strongly support Regulations Governing the Practice of Licensed Certified Midwives in Virginia. 
Increasing the number of midwives in the healthcare workforce is crucial for meeting the demand for maternity care, improving maternal and newborn outcomes, addressing disparities, promoting woman-centered care, reducing healthcare costs, and ensuring access to care in underserved areas. It requires strategic investments in midwifery education, training programs, and supportive policies to foster the growth and integration of midwives within the healthcare system.

Promoting holistic and woman-centered care: Midwifery care is characterized by a holistic and woman-centered approach that emphasizes personalized care, shared decision-making, and continuity of care. Midwives focus on the physical, emotional, and social well-being of women, providing comprehensive care that extends beyond pregnancy and childbirth. The presence of more midwives in the workforce allows for greater availability of this model of care, empowering women to actively participate in their healthcare decisions and promoting a positive childbirth experience.