The University of Manitoba (U of M) has entered into a memorandum of understanding with McMaster University to offer admission to its Midwifery Education Program to students who have successfully completed the first year of Manitoba’s Midwifery Program. This announcement was made by Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart.
“This new partnership will ensure the midwifery students in Manitoba who have already invested significant time and effort toward their studies can complete their coursework uninterrupted,” said Wishart. “We are proud to follow through on a commitment that was made and I commend our partners for their hard work in reaching this resolution, which will help meet the growing demand for midwives in our province.”
Established in 1993, the Ontario Midwifery Education Program is the oldest midwifery program in Canada. Students will be enrolled into the second year of the Midwifery Education Program at McMaster University and receive credits for courses taken that meet equivalency requirements. Students will be offered a modified fall term so they can complete the courses required by the Ontario Midwifery Education Program to move into clinical midwifery placements. The program will be delivered in Manitoba.
“McMaster University Midwifery Program is delighted to be working with the University of Manitoba and the Manitoba government on this innovative educational program,” said Dr. Eileen Hutton, assistant dean, midwifery, and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at McMaster University. “This collaboration will build on McMaster’s expertise in midwifery education and support the growth of midwifery in Manitoba.”
Students will continue their studies at the U of M as McMaster transfer students, taking classes and labs with qualified U of M midwifery instructors, participating in distance learning with their fellow McMaster classmates, and completing their clinical rotations in Manitoba communities.
“We’re very pleased with our ‘homegrown’ solution, which will allow current midwifery students to continue to live, work and study in Winnipeg and, during clinical placements, serve patients in remote and rural communities across Manitoba,” said Dr. Beverly O’Connell, dean, college of nursing, Rady faculty of health sciences, University of Manitoba. “This bodes well for meeting the midwifery needs of women and families around the province.”
Midwifery is a regulated health profession in Manitoba. Midwives care for women and newborns in communities, homes, clinics, birth centres and hospitals. Manitoba midwives work throughout the province including northern and rural areas.
