Loyola University New Orleans Brings Attention to National Midwifery Week Through WGNO News Feature

NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 13, 2026 - Loyola University New Orleans helped shine a spotlight on National Midwifery Week, observed October 4-10, through a special feature on WGNO-TV (ABC 26) highlighting the vital role nurse-midwives play in improving maternal health care across Louisiana.

As part of WGNO's Moving New Orleans Forward series, anchor LBJ visited Loyola's College of Nursing and Health to speak with Michelle "Shelli" Collins, Ph.D., CNM, dean of the College of Nursing and Health, and Lillian Funke, MSN, MPH, APRN, CNM, director of the Nurse-Midwifery Program.

The segment explored the growing need for certified nurse-midwives, particularly in Louisiana, where access to maternal health services remains a significant concern.

"There's a crisis in our country in maternal child health," Collins told WGNO. "Particularly in our state, we're one of the worst states for outcomes for healthy moms and healthy babies. We have to fix that and this is one way that we can raise awareness to how we can address that."

Funke discussed the important role nurse-midwives play beyond childbirth, explaining how these advanced practice providers deliver comprehensive health care and collaborate with physicians when additional medical intervention is necessary.

Loyola launched its Master of Science in Nursing Nurse-Midwifery program in 2023 to help address a shortage of educational opportunities for nurse-midwives throughout the South. The university is home to one of only two nurse-midwifery programs in Louisiana.

Through its commitment to Jesuit values and cura personalis, or care for the whole person, Loyola is preparing future health care professionals to provide compassionate, patient-centered care to families and communities in need.

The WGNO feature provided an opportunity to recognize the contributions of nurse-midwives while bringing greater public awareness to the importance of maternal health and expanding access to care.

Watch the WGNO segment: National Midwifery Week at Loyola University New Orleans

Learn more: Loyola University New Orleans MSN Nurse-Midwifery Program