JoAnne Burris found the experience of giving birth to her second child, with the help of a certified nurse midwife, such a profoundly different experience from the way her first child had been born, that she felt called to become a CNM herself. She knew she wanted to help other women experience pregnancy and birth as a natural - not scary or traumatic - life stage and realize their potential to remain in control of their health.

So a year after her son was born, Burris quit her 9-to-5 job and started the process of becoming a CNM. She returned to college to complete her associate's degree in nursing, then acquired the years of labor and delivery nursing experience required before attending midwifery school.

From her personal experiences, Burris knows putting women at the center of their care and encouraging them to believe they are in control are crucial first steps for ensuring positive outcomes.