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WHEREAS operating as Southwestern Pennsylvania's only licensed freestanding birth center, the Midwife Center for Birth & Women's Health has provided thousands of women with exceptional healthcare since its opening in 1982; and
WHEREAS under the supervision of Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM), the Midwife Center provides impeccable pregnancy, birthing, and gynecological care for women during all stages of their lives; and
WHEREAS the Center's aforementioned Certified Nurse-Midwives are licensed by the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine and have received significant honors including the American College of Nurse Midwives Foundation, Inc.'s "With Woman, For A Lifetime" Golden Commendation Award (2002) and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's "Dozen Who Made A Difference" Award (2003); and
WHEREAS while the Midwife Center has operated as part of a larger parent hospital for much of its 25-year history, in early 2000, the Midwife Center, assisted by community and foundation support, was able to establish an independent, non-profit, birth center in Pittsburgh's Strip District, while continuing to enjoy staff privileges and 24-hour physician consultation/back-up from Allegheny General Hospital; and
WHEREAS thanks to the Midwife Center's unique philosophy of care, the superior efforts of its accomplished staff, and its long-standing relationships with its Medical Director and team of collaborating physicians, the Center has attained a standard of excellence in the health outcomes of its patients as these outcomes relate to higher than average birth weights and lower than average rates of premature birth and cesarean section; and
WHEREAS the Midwife Center has remained true to its fundamental commitment to serve women who have been marginalized from traditional health care settings by instituting a number of different program initiatives including its walk-in program known as "With Woman Fridays."
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby wish to commend and congratulate the Midwife Center for Birth & Women's Health on its 25th anniversary, while additionally thanking the Center for ensuring the health and wellbeing of thousands of local women and their children.