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The midwifery community across the United States is mourning the heartbreaking loss of Dr. Janell Green Smith, CNM, a nationally respected midwife, educator, and maternal health advocate who died from complications related to childbirth. Her passing has sent shockwaves through the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) and beyond, leaving colleagues, students, and patients grappling with an immeasurable loss.
Dr. Smith dedicated her life’s work to advancing compassionate, evidence-based, and equitable maternal care, with a particular focus on communities that have long faced barriers and disparities within the healthcare system. She was widely regarded as a visionary leader whose commitment to justice and patient-centered care shaped both policy discussions and clinical practice.
Throughout her career, Dr. Smith was a tireless champion for birthing people, especially those from marginalized backgrounds. She believed deeply in respectful maternity care and worked to ensure that every patient’s voice was heard, honored, and protected. As a clinician and educator, she mentored countless aspiring midwives, instilling in them not only clinical excellence but also a strong sense of advocacy and ethical responsibility.
Colleagues describe her as brilliant, compassionate, and unwavering in her mission to improve maternal outcomes nationwide. Her research, teaching, and advocacy efforts were all rooted in a singular goal: transforming maternal healthcare into a system that truly serves everyone, regardless of race, income, or background.
Dr. Smith’s death has also reignited urgent conversations about maternal mortality in the United States. That a highly trained Black midwife and maternal health expert could lose her life during childbirth has underscored the persistent and deeply rooted inequities Black women face in healthcare. Her passing stands as a painful reminder that education, professional expertise, and status do not shield Black women from systemic failures in maternal care.
In response, the American College of Nurse-Midwives has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing racial disparities and strengthening accountability across healthcare systems. ACNM leaders have emphasized that honoring Dr. Smith’s legacy means taking concrete action—working alongside Black midwives, clinicians, and communities to prevent future tragedies and ensure safe, respectful care for all.
As tributes continue to pour in, Dr. Janell Green Smith is being remembered not only for her professional accomplishments, but for her humanity, leadership, and unyielding dedication to justice. Her legacy will continue to guide midwifery practice, maternal health advocacy, and the broader fight for equity in healthcare.
She leaves behind a profound impact on the field and a call to action that will resonate for generations.