North Carolina Perinatal Association
A Coalition for Healthy Mothers and Healthy Babies
Improving Perinatal Health Throughout the State
The North Carolina Perinatal Association provides leadership, education, and advocacy for healthy mothers and healthy infants.
Our Story
The North Carolina Perinatal Association: “A Coalition for Healthy Mothers and Healthy Babies” was formed in 1985 as a non-profit organization.
This organization aims to improve perinatal health for childbearing families throughout the state.
The Mission
Our mission is to improve perinatal health for childbearing families throughout the state by providing continuing education for perinatal providers across North Carolina and increasing awareness of advocacy issues related to maternal and neonatal health.
Our main areas of focus are advocacy and education. We are continuously developing an effective advocacy effort with the North Carolina state legislature and building coalitions with other organizations to engage in cooperative efforts to improve perinatal health.
Educational efforts focus on informing members, policymakers, and the public about issues related to healthy mothers, healthy babies, and healthy families.
Our membership and leadership are vital for the NCPA to accomplish these goals.
Board of Directors
President
Tara Owens Shuler
M.Ed., LCCE, FACCE, CD(DONA)
President-elect
Venus Standard
UNC School of Medicine, Dept of Family Medicine/Women’s Health – Maternal and Child Health
Welcome to the NC Perinatal Association! Join me in exploring professional education opportunities, evidence-based practice updates, and advocacy efforts to support the health and well-being of persons of childbearing age. With an active multi-disciplinary group of people passionate about addressing health and healthcare disparities across our state, we can make a difference! We can make sure expectant and new parents have the support and resources they need to thrive.
Our Members-Only resource area will be updating and expanding to meet the needs of members in the coming months, but we need YOU. Join or renew your membership today!
Past President
Lori Hubbard, PhD, RN, IBCLC
- Assistant Professor, Elon University Department of Nursing
- Lactation Services, Cone Health Alamance Regional
- Areas of research: breastfeeding and childbirth self-efficacy, breastfeeding interventions, theory of planned behavior
Treasurer
Rhonda K. Lanning DNP,CNM,LCCE,IBCLC,RN
- Assistant Professor University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing
- Program Coordinator, Birth Partners The UNC Volunteer Doula Service Program UNC Medical Center
Secretary
Erin Crites
- Albemarle Maternal Mental Health Coalition
- The Villages of North Carolina, Founder
- Postpartum Support International Area Coordinator
Regional Board Representatives
Katherine Hyde-Hensley
PsyD, LCMHC, PMH-C, Perinatal Psychologist
I am a psychologist and group facilitator skilled in birth trauma, maternal-infant mental health, and family resilience. I have over 20 years of birth, death, and parenting experience, which enhances my ability to find the best solution to your transitional dilemma. As a professional therapist, I use theory, interventions, and listening skills to help you guide yourself in your personal and value-driven direction.
Amber Welborn
PhD, RNC-MNN
- Assistant Professor at Appalachian State University Department of Nursing
- Clinical area: Maternal-Child Nursing
- Research area: Substance-exposed pregnancies; Stigma; Bias; Trauma
Mona Brown Ketner
MSN, RN, C-EFM
I graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a BSN degree and UNC-Greensboro with an MSN degree.
I have worked in various hospitals throughout the state, including Rex Hospital (Raleigh), Forsyth Memorial Hospital (Winston-Salem), and Davis Hospital (Statesville). In addition, I worked at Wake Forest University School of Medicine for over 30 years as a Perinatal Outreach Educator and then as a Nurse Educator at Northwest Area Health Education Center.
I have served as NCPA President, Secretary, and Chair of the Awards Committee and continue to be active on the Board of Directors as a Region II Representative.
A happy mother of 2 and a grandmother of 3, I retired from Northwest AHEC in 2022.
Jennifer Check
MD, MS
- Assistant Professor, Division of Neonatology
- Medical Director of NICU Follow Up Clinic
- Co-Director of Comprehensive Infant Clinic
Judy Lupo
RN, BSN
I am retired from the Forsyth County Department of Public Health. I was a nursing supervisor over Maternal Health, High-Risk Pregnancies, and Nurse-Family Partnership.
Presently. I am serving as the Membership Chair and participating on the Awards Committee. I live just north of Winston-Salem, NC.
A special project where I also volunteer my services is at the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission Medical Clinic. I am the lead nurse for the Monday clinic which serves the homeless and uninsured.
Nichole Wells
MSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, Catawba Valley Community College Nursing Instructor
Betsy Bryant
RNC, MSN, IBCLC, LCCE
- Women’s and Children’s Services- Lactation and Maternity & Family Education Atrium Health Cleveland
Frieda Norris
RN, BSN, MPH, LCCE
- Perinatal Educator Caromont Birthplace; Labor Support/Lamaze childbirth educator trainer
Tara Owens Shuler
M.Ed., LCCE, FACCE, CD(DONA)
I have over 30 years of public health work experience, ranging from maternal and child health programming to health professions workforce development programs. I am the Maternal Health Branch Head in the NC Division of Public Health/Women, Infant, and Children Wellness Section. I am also a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE) and a DONA-certified Birth Doula. I co-direct the North Carolina Perinatal Association Lamaze Childbirth Educator Program.
Sherika HiSmith
MPH, BSN, RN
Rhonda Lanning
DNP, CNM, LCCE, IBCLC, RN, UNC School of Nursing
Lori Hubbard
PhD, RN, IBCLC
- Assistant Professor, Elon University Department of Nursing
- Lactation Services, Cone Health Alamance Regional
- Areas of research: breastfeeding and childbirth self-efficacy, breastfeeding interventions, theory of planned behavior
Venus Standard
MSN, CNM, APRN, LCCE
- UNC School of Medicine, Dept of Family Medicine/Women’s Health – Maternal and Child Health
Brittany Jones
MA, LCAS, CCS
Danielle Little
BA, CLC, LCCE
- Perinatal Health Educator, Birth and Postpartum Doula
Kerry Christopher
MSW, LCSW
- Personal Health Services Clinic
New Hanover County
Erin Crites
- Albemarle Maternal Mental Health Coalition
- The Villages of North Carolina, Founder
- Postpartum Support International Area Coordinator