Mercy In Action’s
Frameworks & Mindsets For Better Birth Outcomes
JOIN US FOR MERCY IN ACTION’S NEWEST WORKSHOP, BASED ON VICKI PENWELL’S BOOK, Midwifing Mercy: Reimagining Birth Culture with Strategy and Sacred Purpose
Mercy In Action has nearly 50 years of experience providing high-quality maternity care to diverse populations in mixed-risk settings across Alaska, Idaho, Mexico, and the Philippines. Statistics on close to 20,000 births show outcomes superior to those in their surroundings.
In this seminar, Vicki Penwell, Founder and Executive Director of Mercy In Action Vineyard, Inc., will share dozens of practical secrets to this success that are applicable anywhere, in any birth setting .
This seminar is for Midwives working in any setting, Student Midwives, Doulas, Childbirth Educators, and MDs and RNs who attend births.
LOCATIONS AND DATES FOR 2026
Phoenix, Arizona April 9-10, 2027
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho May 4-5, 2027
Columbus, Ohio May 15-16, 2027
More dates and locations will be added soon - contact us if you would like to host
Cost: $295
Includes 12 Meac Accredited CEUs
Register as early as possible to save your seat; we will close registration when our venue space fills.
Refund Information:
In the unfortunate event that you are unable to attend a Mercy In Action seminar or workshop after registering, as we are a non-profit organization*, we are happy to assist you so that your fee can be either applied toward another amazing seminar or workshop in the future or converted into a donation. Thank you for your understanding that there are no refunds for any reason. If you cannot attend, please get in touch with us at trainings@mercyinaction.edu
*Mercy In Action is an independent non-profit organization that receives no government funding—support from program fees and donations make our global work possible.
Your instructor is Vicki Penwell, Midwife and Global Maternal/Child Health Humanitarian. She holds a doctorate in creative leadership and master’s degrees in midwifery and intercultural studies. A frequent speaker and author of Midwifing Mercy, she lives between the Philippines and the United States while equipping and supporting birth professionals worldwide.
Frameworks and Mindsets for Better Birth Outcomes Outline
12 Total CEU Hours over Two Days
I.Purposefulness as a Strategy for Better Outcomes
A. Clarifying Our Goals and Addressing the Need
a. Creating Mission, Vision, and Values
b. Preventing Burnout
B. The Character of a Midwife
a. How Soft Skills Tie to Outcomes
b. Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses
C. Creating Space for Clients to feel Safe
a. Concept of Hospitality
b. Concept of Homefulness
D. Leadership That Serves
a. Building Resilience
b. Rethinking what Leadership is and is not
E. Mission-Driven Frameworks to Build On
a. Safe Motherhood Initiative
b. International Childbirth Initiative
c. Right Care, Right Time, in the Right Way
d. Avoiding the Three Deadly Delays
II. Creativity and Generosity as a Strategy for Better Outcomes
A. Innovations That Enhance
a. After Action Review
b. Post Birth Scoring Chart System
c. Newborn Classification System
d. Mother-Midwife / Baby Midwife Workflow
B. Mindsets For Awareness
a. Smart Midwifery Labor Spectrum
b. Person Overboard Drills
c. First 1,000 Days
C. Intercultural Awareness and Respect
a. Culture of Sharing Knowledge
b. Sacred Recognition and Honor
c. Disaster Response to Maternity Care Needs
d. Making Care Accessible in Fragile Places
e. Maternity Waiting Homes
D. Actions for Impact and Lifelong Learning
a. Reversed Teaching and Playback
b. Creation of Personal Goals Going Forward
E. Summary and Reflections