UAMS Launches First Arkansas Nurse Midwifery Program
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences program aims to address declining maternal health care access.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Nursing Jobs
Live Poll
Is access to quality maternity care improving or getting worse in your community?
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences launched the first nurse midwifery program in Arkansas in fall 2026. The program prepares advanced practice registered nurses to provide comprehensive care for expectant mothers across the state.
Why it matters
This initiative seeks to improve maternal health outcomes by expanding care options in communities currently facing a decline in local providers.
The university program maintains a selective capacity of six students per cohort annually. This limited intake marks the first formal educational pathway for nurse midwifery in Arkansas.
The players
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
This is an academic health center based in Little Rock, Ark., that oversees specialized medical education and clinical research.
The details
Nurse midwives, who are advanced practice registered nurses with master's level training, will provide prenatal, labor, delivery, and postpartum care. The curriculum emphasizes patient education and a shared decision-making model to serve populations with limited health access.
Timeline
The inaugural nurse midwifery cohort began the program in fall 2026.
Market Landscape
The establishment of this program directly combats the trends identified in the Maternity Care Deserts report by March of Dimes. By training local specialists, the university shifts the regional capacity to serve rural populations that previously lacked adequate maternal health infrastructure.
Residents in underserved areas may gain increased access to specialized prenatal and delivery services as graduates complete their training. This expansion of the local workforce aims to provide more consistent care options for families across the state.
The takeaway
Nurse midwifery provides a collaborative approach to pregnancy care that prioritizes patient education and shared decision-making. Individuals interested in this field should note that this specific advanced practice requires completion of a master's degree program.
Further reading
For more information on nursing career pathways in the state, visit Arkansas Nursing Jobs.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KATV.
Live Poll
Is access to quality maternity care improving or getting worse in your community?
