Amy earned her BSN from Stevenson University. She worked as a Labor & Delivery nurse for 13 years at University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). Currently she coordinates the Childbirth Education program, is the coordinator for the hospital for Baby Friendly, and co-chaired the OB Transitional Care program at UMMC. One of her passions is bringing equality and access to healthcare to women across the state. Through education and the OB Transitional Care program she is trying to improve many aspects of care for at-risk populations, including decreasing infant and maternal mortality.  Contact Amy at this link.

Naomi Cross, MSN, RN, is a dedicated nurse educator and women’s and children’s health professional with extensive clinical, academic, and leadership experience. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing Education from Notre Dame of Maryland University and currently serves as nursing faculty at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Her career has included clinical practice and education across obstetrics, maternal-child health, perinatal bereavement, pediatrics, neonatal care, simulation, and professional development. Passionate about preparing the next generation of nurses, Naomi brings a holistic, compassionate, and innovative approach to nursing education, with particular interests in simulation, clinical reasoning, maternal-child health, and creating meaningful learning experiences that connect evidence-based practice with the human experience of care. Naomi is deeply committed to professional service and advancing nursing through her volunteer leadership with the Association of Women’s Health Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). Her AWHONN involvement has included serving as a mentor, newsletter coordinator, legislative committee member, Conference Planning Committee Co-Chair, and, most recently, Secretary-Treasurer Elect of AWHONN Maryland. She is passionate about fostering connection, professional growth, advocacy, and excellence among nurses caring for women and newborns. Her commitment to restorative practices further reflects her belief that healthy learning and practice environments are built through empathy, reflection, accountability, and deep connection. As a Restorative Practices Facilitator at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, she integrates these principles into her work as an educator, mentor, and colleague, striving to cultivate nursing environments where both learners and practicing nurses can flourish. Contact Naomi at this link.

Kimberly serves as the Professional Development Specialist for Women and Infant Services at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center. With 15 years of labor and delivery experience, she brings a passion for perinatal safety, simulation, and supporting nurses throughout their careers. She is an AWHONN fetal monitoring and NRP instructor and enjoys sharing educational opportunities and building connections as AWHONN Maryland’s Webmaster and Social Media Coordinator. Outside of nursing, Kim enjoys spending time with her husband and three boys and cheering them on in their many activities. Contact Kim at this link

Bassey is an enthusiastic advocate of all things related to birth, though her journey to nursing was not straightforward. Before graduating with her master’s in clinical Nurse Leadership from the University of Maryland School of Nursing in 2018, Bassey worked for a DC hedge fund for nearly 10 years before a brief stint at the Pentagon as an analyst in Space Management (logistical space, not NASA space). Her ability to maneuver through the ever-changing needs of a startup financial firm during the Great Recession and the unprecedented compliance climate that followed shortly after, allowed Bassey to crown herself a certified “Jane of All Trades.” However, her passion for birth work grew as she volunteered for organizations in DC that catered to women and children, and she wanted to use her problem-solving skills to save lives not budgets. After graduating nursing school Bassey worked as a Labor & Delivery nurse at the University of Maryland Medical Center in downtown Baltimore, and she now works in the medical device space. She is excited to use her life experience, her knowledge and her passion to make birth safer for all. Contact Bassey at this link.

Cara earned her BSN from the University of Maryland School of Nursing. She has worked as a Mother-Baby Nurse for 4 years at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), where she staffs as a charge nurse and bedside nurse, caring for high- risk antepartum, postpartum mothers, and newborns in the newborn nursery. Cara serves on multiple committees including baby-friendly and peer mentoring and is a new instructor for Maryland Moms in Training. Her passions include providing quality care and education to pregnant women and new mothers, to ensure happy, health outcomes. Contact Cara at this link.

Lynn is a Maternal-Child Health Clinical Practice Specialist at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center. With more than three decades of experience, she supports nursing practice and professional development across Labor & Delivery, Mother-Baby, Pediatrics, and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Lynn specializes in competency-based education, multidisciplinary simulation, electronic fetal monitoring, professional role transition, evidence-based practice, and patient safety. She holds an MSN in Nursing Education from Stevenson University and a BSN from Villanova University. She is also an instructor for NRP, BLS, and AWHONN Intermediate and Advanced Fetal Monitoring courses. Lynn is passionate about translating evidence into practical bedside education and creating psychologically safe learning environments that strengthen clinical judgment, teamwork, and confidence. Contact Lynn at this link.

Katie earned her MSN from Wilmington University in 2018 and her EdD from Drexel University in 2025, with a concentration in Nursing Education Leadership & Management. Her dissertation was a qualitative, phenomenological study focused on exploring nursing student stress and anxiety in clinical settings. For over a decade, she worked at the bedside as a staff nurse at Tidal Health Peninsula Regional in Salisbury, MD, on the labor and delivery unit. After obtaining her MSN, she worked as the clinical educator for the Women’s and Children’s division at Tidal Health from 2019-2021 before transitioning into her current role as a tenure-track Assistant Professor at Salisbury University in the School of Nursing. She currently co-advises Salisbury’s Student Nurses Association and is passionate about maternity care, advocating for best practices, and empowering clients to make informed decisions about their care. Outside of nursing, she works to practice what she preaches about prioritizing self-care and cherishes the time she gets to spend with her two boys and family.  Contact Katie at this link.

Tina is a certified obstetric nurse with over 18 years of experience in perinatal and
neonatal nursing. Since 2022, she has served as the Nursing Professional Development Specialist for the Women and Newborns Center at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center. With a passion for education and patient safety, Tina is dedicated to creating innovative, engaging learning experiences that meet nurses at every stage of their professional development. She has served as a charge nurse and preceptor in Labor & Delivery, Postpartum, Special Care Nursery and actively contributes to hospital- and system-level patient safety initiatives. Tina is an AWHONN Fetal Monitoring Instructor and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Instructor. In recognition of her commitment to nursing education, she was honored as the 2026 Maryland District 9 Nurse Educator of the Year. Contact Tina at this link.

Erica Reid has dedicated the last 13 years of her nursing career to the care and growth of patients and nurses in women’s health. As an educator, Erica has shared her wealth of knowledge amongst her peers to guide them in providing excellent care across the disciplines of labor and delivery, mother baby, NICU, and pediatric populations. She is a Certified Obstetric Nurse that mentors new RNs to the OB specialty. At this time, she has undertaken the role of Head Chair of the Orientation and Education Committee at Sinai Hospital to fulfill the task of nurturing the potential of staff to excel in producing positive outcomes whilst implementing quality care. Her role of Team Leader at Sinai Hospital’s Women and Children’s department helps enforce the desire to assist staff in transitioning into a highly acute area of specialty. In addition, during her career she has overseen the education of nurses as a clinical and simulation instructor at JHSON as well as an NRP instructor at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore. Erica’s goal is to help the future generation of nurses realize and reach the goals they set during their nursing career. Contact Erica at this link.

From Salisbury, Maryland, Jaimi is a highly engaged and dedicated obstetric nurse with over 24 years of experience in all aspects of perinatal nursing. She earned her BSN from Salisbury University in 1995 and began working in obstetrics the following year. Jaimi completed her MSN from Walden University in 2008, specializing in nursing education, and taught maternal-child nursing at the baccalaureate level for several years.  From 2010 to 2019, Jaimi held the role of clinical specialist for a Women’s and Children’s Division and is experienced in patient safety and quality improvement initiatives, evidence-based practice, perinatal risk assessment as well as staff education and development. She is actively involved in Maryland’s Perinatal/Neonatal Quality Collaborative, serving as a faculty advisor and steering committee member for the past eight years, and in 2016 was named the AIM-AWHONN Maryland State nurse leader. Jaimi is nationally certified in both Inpatient Obstetrics and Electronic Fetal Monitoring and has been an active AWHONN member for over 18 years. Jaimi currently works at the Birthing Center at Shore Regional Health in Easton, Maryland and is a regular presenter for Sidelines High-Risk Pregnancy and Support Network’s webinar series. Contact Jaimi at this link.

Kelly is honored to serve as Co-Chapter Coordinator for the Northeast Section of AWHONN Maryland. With 15 years of nursing experience, she currently works
as a Perinatal Safety & Quality Nurse at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center. Her background includes Labor and Delivery, surgical intensive care, outpatient internal medicine, andsimulation-based nursing education. Kelly is passionate about perinatal safety, quality improvement, and using data to identify
opportunities for better patient outcomes. She has a particular interest in debriefing and event review processes, believing they foster learning, collaboration, and psychological safety among healthcare teams. Her goal is to support clinicians and advance systems that promote the best possible outcomes for birthing patients and their families. Outside of work, Kelly enjoys spending time with her husband, Billy, and their 6-year -old son, Bennett. She looks forward to connecting with fellow AWHONN members and supporting opportunities for learning and collaboration across the Northeast Maryland Chapter. Contact Kelly at this link.

Gina has been a nurse since 2008, dedicating her career to maternal-child health. A graduate of Villa Julie College, she began her nursing journey in Baltimore City
and has spent her entire clinical career in Labor & Delivery, developing a deep passion for supporting women, birthing people, families, and the nurses who care for them. In 2022, Gina joined St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson, where she serves as a Nursing Professional Development Practitioner II for Maternal Child Health. Inspired by mentors throughout her career, she discovered a love for nursing education while teaching clinical students and has since focused on helping develop competent, confident, and compassionate nurses. In 2025, she earned her MSN in Nursing Education from Western Governors University. Outside of work, Gina enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, two dogs, and 16 chickens. She loves Disney, fishing, family gatherings, and sharing a good laugh. Gina is excited to serve as an AWHONN Co-Chair alongside Kelly Lucas. Together, they are committed to advocating for the health, well-being, and equity of women, birthing people, and children while fostering growth and connection within their local AWHONN community. Contact Gina at this link.

Aastasshia is a compassionate healthcare professional with an unyielding commitment to improving the lives of underserved communities. With a solid educational foundation—earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Howard University and a Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University—she has forged a remarkable path in the field of healthcare. Currently serving as the Maternal and Child Health Director at CCI Health Services, Aastasshia is on the forefront of addressing critical issues in healthcare. Her mission: to bridge the gap in maternal and infant health disparities. By providing exceptional care and support, she strives to enhance positive prenatal health outcomes among underinsured and uninsured patients in the community. Aastasshia’s dedication and expertise make her a shining example in her field, leading the charge to create a healthier future for mothers and children. Her work is not just a profession; it’s a passion, a calling, and a testament to the positive impact one person can make in healthcare. Contact Aastasshia at this link.

My name is Anglesia (Ann-glee-seeya), and serving others has been woven into my life for as long as I can remember. Nursing didn’t just become my career; it became the place where my passion and purpose finally collided. Today, I’m grateful to live out that calling as a Labor & Delivery Nurse at Shady Grove Medical Center, helping families welcome new life, and as an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, where I get to help shape the next generation of nurses. Throughout my journey, I’ve been blessed with incredible opportunities that always led me back to where I knew I belonged—women’s health. One lesson that has shaped me most is the importance of offering unbiased, culturally competent care. I once cared for a patient who arrived anxious after feeling dismissed elsewhere. Taking the time to listen, honor her story, and tailor her care to her cultural needs changed everything for her and reminded me that compassion, curiosity, and respect are not extras in healthcare; they are essential. Serving in this capacity is a true honor, and I’m grateful every day for the chance to support, teach, and advocate for women at every stage of their journey. Contact Anglesia at this link.

Annette earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Maryland Global Campus. She has worked in Labor and Delivery at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring for more than 30 years, where she serves as both a Charge Nurse and Safety Nurse. Annette is actively involved in several shared governance councils, including the Perinatal Patient Safety Council, Peer Review Council, Resource Council, Clinical Advancement Program, and Hospital Professional Governance Council. She has also played an integral role in planning and coordinating Critical Events Team Training (CETT) drills. In addition to her work at Holy Cross, Annette is a member of the Maryland AWHONN Conference Planning Committee. To connect with Annette, please use this contact link.