title: History of midwifery in New Mexico: partnership between curandera-parteras and the New Mexico Department of Health.
abstract: Curandera-parteras (traditional Hispanic midwives) have been in northern New Mexico since before its statehood. In the 1930s, the New Mexico Department of Health began a valuable relationship with the curandera-parteras through the Midwife Consultant Program. This article describes the relationship between the curandera-parteras and the New Mexico Department of Health originating in the 1920s. The amenable and effective working relationship achieved between curandera-parteras and public health during this time period helped create the positive support for midwifery that is apparent in New Mexico today.
authors.affiliation: University of Utah, USA. fmortiz@salud.unm.edu
authors.forename: Felina Mychelle
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Ortiz
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000266:history; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000266:history*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008519:Medicine, Traditional / Q000266:history*; D008880:Midwifery / Q000266:history*; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009516:New Mexico; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D015980:Public Health Practice / Q000266:history*; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000266:history; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D013219:State Government