North Carolina Perinatal Association
An Interdisciplinary Coalition for Healthy Families
Improving Perinatal Health Throughout the State
The North Carolina Perinatal Association provides leadership, education, and advocacy focused on an interdisciplinary approach to improving the health of families during the perinatal period.
Our Mission
The North Carolina Perinatal Association: “A Coalition for Healthy Mothers and Healthy Babies” was formed in 1985 as a non-profit organization.
The NCPA aims 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 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 advance perinatal health.
Educational efforts focus on informing members, policymakers, and the public about issues related to healthy parents, healthy babies, and healthy families.
Our membership is open to individuals from all disciplines. We are parents, nurses, psychologists, social workers, midwives, doulas, physicians, students in health professions, and more.
If you share our passion for improving perinatal health and the wellbeing of families across North Carolina, please join us as a member.
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.
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.
Betsy Bryant
RNC, MSN, IBCLC, LCCE
- Women’s and Children’s Services- Lactation and Maternity & Family Education Atrium Health Cleveland
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
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