The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) has recognized Dr. Saraswathi Vedam, Professor of Midwifery at the UBC Department of Family Practice and Lead Investigator of the Birth Place Lab, with the prestigious Lifetime Visionary Award.
Formerly known as the Hattie Award, this distinction honours a Certified Nurse-Midwife or Certified Midwife who has been certified for at least ten years and has made exceptional, sustained contributions to midwifery, maternal–child health, and the advancement of the profession.
A Global Leader in Respectful Maternity Care
Dr. Vedam’s work has transformed maternity care through her leadership in research, policy, and education. As Lead Investigator of the Birth Place Lab, she and her team have developed internationally adopted tools such as:
- MADM – My Autonomy in Decision Making scale
- MOR – Mothers on Respect index
- MIST – Mistreatment in Perinatal Care index
These instruments are now used in over 60 countries to evaluate respect, autonomy, and equity in maternity care. Her studies, including “Changing Childbirth in BC”, “Giving Voice to Mothers,” and “ RESPCCT” have amplified the experiences of birthing people across diverse communities and informed health system change.
A Lifetime of Visionary Leadership
Over more than four decades, Dr. Vedam has shaped how midwifery is integrated into health systems, convened consensus summits on home-birth policy, and led interprofessional education on person-centred care and conflict transformation. Her course, Dialogue & Decisions, continues to equip practitioners across disciplines to foster respectful care environments.
“I am grateful that the value of reproductive justice research and knowledge mobilization is being recognized,” says Dr. Vedam. “Any action-oriented scholarship and leadership activities that I have engaged in over the years have been the direct result of hearing the families we serve express a vision for a world that ensures rights-based care. I am so fortunate to have found a profession that allows me to live what I believe.”
“So many students, mentees, and colleagues from various professions, have joined me in this quest, but today I want to particularly recognize Dr. Kathrin Stoll, Ali Tatum, Equity and Operations Manager, Tanya Khemet, CNM, Dr. Mimi Bhatt, CNM, and Program Director Dr. Cecilia Jevitt, all of whom are essential to our work at UBC in the Birth Place Lab,” she continues.
“I am grateful to be inspired everyday by my maternal aunt Lt. Col Anasuya Subramanyam; my own midwife and mentor Patricia Deibel, CNM., and, of course, my scientist and librarian parents, my life partner Dr. Jeff Miller, and my four daughters.
“Finally, I dedicate this award to my younger brother, Subramanyam Vedam, who never gave up his quest for justice, quietly serving others while waiting for his own moment of being seen for who he really is. He has taught me that perseverance and adherence to our cherished principles for the greater good is worth it and will eventually bring out the truth.”
We are honoured to celebrate Dr. Vedam’s lifelong leadership and her enduring impact on the research, teaching, practice, and experience of maternity care in Canada and around the world.
Learn more about Dr. Vedam’s work with the Birth Place Lab.
