"Christy! The Doctor had to run to the hospital to do a delivery. Can you see his patients?" I get this query often and am usually pleased to fill in. As I build this practice I try to be as helpful as possible to these physicians who went out on a limb in this conservative town and hired me as the only full-scope, full-time Certified Nurse Midwife in Waco. But when I went into the exam room the patient turned to me and said, "Do I get a discount?" When I had scraped my bottom jaw off the floor I responded (very politely) that she was most welcome to wait for the doctor and that I had my own busy slate full of patients that I needed to get back to. She decided I'd do and proceeded to have one of the best Provider/Patient interactions she'd ever had. I spent the time, I listened, I was compassionate, and I knew my stuff.
Best kept secret in Waco? There are Nurse Practitioners, Physicians Assistants, and Certified Nurse-Midwives (one anyway) all over town who, though categorized as "second best" in the minds of many, provide top level care to the people of Waco. We dot our I's, we cross our T's, we follow up on labs and testing, we go to funerals, we make ourselves available to our patients. In fact, we do it for our patients and we often do it for the physician's patients too.
My badge says "Mid-Level Practitioner". I'm not mid-level. I'm at the top-level of my discipline. I'm at the top-level of experience. I'm at the top-level of integrity, energy, and commitment.
It's time for some recognition for all the hard-working "extenders" in this town. If you're pleased with the care you've received, tell people! Write a letter to the editor. Ask local TV stations to cover stories about nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners who do extraordinary service. Write to the doctors that employ them. Tell all your friends. Let's try to change the wrong assumptions. I have a dream...someday health care providers will be judged, not by the letters after their names, but by the quality of their service.
- Christy Miller CNM
- Christy Miller is married and has a daughter and son. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1983. Her work as a registered nurse included 6 years in Africa and the Caribbean doing public health. Another 5 years as a labor and delivery nurse influenced her decision to become a Certified Nurse Midwife . Her Master in Nursing degree and Certified Nurse Midwife board certification (1996) is from the University of Michigan. Christy is committed to education and gentle, respectful care that allows women to take responsibility for their own lifestyle choices.
Cindy Mabry, CNM
Cindy Mabry has been working in women's health care since 1976. In 1977 she became the first Women's Health Nurse Practitioner in Waco. In the 1990's she became the first Certified Nurse Midwife in Waco. She graduated from Mary Hardin Baylor and Parkland School of Nurse Midwifery. She enjoys assisting women in decisions about their health care, from adolescence through menopause.
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