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Practitioner celebrated for lifetime of care by Cindy Abole Public Relations Nurse-midwife and clinical nursing educator Delores Kirkland has devoted a lifetime to caring for women and newborns in all types of maternal practice settings. She epitomizes the role of practitioner, educator, guide and mentor in the training of nurse-midwives and Lowcountry women and their perinatal care. Logging more than a quarter-century of service and assisting with thousands of births, Kirkland is celebrated for her devotion and excellence in the field of nurse-midwifery. On April 19, she will be entering a new practice, that of her own retirement after a nursing career that spans 38 years. After 25 years of service at MUSC, nurse-midwife Delores Kirkland retires April 19. “In her tenure at MUSC, Delores Kirkland made valuable contributions to both the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs,” said Deborah Williamson, DHA, R.N., assistant professor and associate dean for practice, College of Nursing. “Her role as a mentor extended beyond the university to the community by her participation in numerous programs related to the recruitment of  minorities into health professions. Her calm manner and wisdom have made her a favorite among professionals, staff, and patients.”  “Delores is a lovely, caring individual and a wonderful practitioner who brought a unique set of skills to her role, especially among adolescent women going through family planning, prenatal and pediatric care clinics,” said Marjorie McManus, R.N., certified nurse-midwife and professor emeritus, College of Nursing. “She’s a wonderful mother and community role model committed to helping Lowcoun-try families and minority women. Her openness and supportive attitude with her patients have helped facilitate safe, healthy experiences for women and their families.”  A Charleston native, Kirkland began her nursing education at Bennett College in Greensboro, N.C.  She received her bachelor's in nursing from Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Ala., in 1966 and began her first job as a surgical nurse at MUSC Hospital. In 1971, she earned a master's in nursing in maternal-child health from Boston University and returned to a clinical teaching role, working with the Franklin C. Fetter Family Health Center with the College of Nursing until 1973. She was later named director of nursing services at Fetter and director of its maternal-child health program until 1977.  In 1978, Kirkland received her master's in nurse-midwifery from MUSC and worked in a collaborative MUSC/Fetter Family Health Center program until 1983, and coordinating its antepartum/postpartum evaluations and other therapies. She was named assistant clinical professor and managed the community health nursing practicum at Fetter. She helped develop and manage nursing’s antepartum and other major nurse-midwifery teaching modules.  “Delores is regarded as one of the early pioneers and practitioners of nurse-midwifery around the Charleston community,” said Carlon Mitchell, R.N., certified nurse-midwife, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control district director of public health nursing—Trident Health. “She was an excellent teacher, practitioner, and presence working at various clinics in the late 1970s when MUSC and DHEC shared a nurse-midwifery partnership with area public health programs.” Throughout her career, Kirkland has been a collaborator and contributor to nursing research, adolescent development, and prenatal care. She was a consultant and practitioner in a 1989 Duke Endowment Grant on access to prenatal care through Fetter Family Health Center.  “I first met Delores when I was completing my OB/GYN residency from 1980-84,” said Roger Newman, M.D., vice chairman of academic affairs, Department of OB/GYN. “At the time, Delores was among several nurse-midwives sharing on-call rotations and worked cooperatively with residents within the OB/GYN department. The nurse-midwives, like our peers, shared great wisdom and talents with us through their experiences and knowledge. Delores is a talented, helpful and consistent health care provider who took great pride in caring for her patients. She’ll be missed within MUSC and the community.”  Kirkland’s participation in Lowcountry service activities has been steadfast. She has been active in various roles from community health speaker, volunteer and organizer to breast cancer prevention educator among various groups. She is a member of the American Nurses Association and both national and local chapters of the American College of Nurse-Midwives. “Delores was a preceptor for an Award for Community-Based Education that South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium (AHEC) made during the mid-1990s,” said Sabra Slaughter, Ph.D., chief of staff, President’s Office and former AHEC director. “This award provided resources to enable MUSC faculty to mentor students interested in satisfying clinical practice requirements in rural under served communities. She also participated in several AHEC events to promote interest among minority high school students in nursing and volunteered time to meet with students during campus tours, at health careers fairs, and community health screenings events. Her dedication and contributions to student development, and community outreach are examples for all of us to emulate.” Editor’s note: The Catalyst's MUSC Heroes is a column that offers employees the opportunity to recognize MUSC's everyday heroes. Send an e-mail to catalyst@musc.edu.        Friday, April 16, 2004 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.