Jennifer Rector, owner of The Village Midwife and Birth Center, Southeast Virginia
Jennifer is a licensed midwife and practice owner of The Village Midwife and Birth Center in Newport News, Vir., and was nominated by thirty former patients! Nominators spoke of Jennifer’s long-standing support in Southeast Virgina, with The Village Midwife and Birth Center serving over 750 families since its opening in 2008, with an emphasis on serving the underserved. She not only goes above and beyond for the women and families she cares for but for the community as a whole — offering low-cost, income-based maternity care, community classes and training to those in need.
Receiving the WaterWipes Pure Foundation Fund is a great honor. The recognition from our clients and families reflects our dedication to our community. Those of us at The Village Midwife and Birth Center and I believe that all people deserve a healthy pregnancy, birth and postpartum. We have worked to create a Village of caring individuals who come together to support each other. This award reinforces our commitment and ability to provide exceptional care for anyone that needs it. I am grateful for those who submitted a nomination and excited to continue to do the meaningful work we do.
Stacy Vandenput, Nancy’s Sunshine, Green Bay, Wis.
Stacy is a licensed midwife and owner of Nancy’s Sunshine in Green Bay, Wis., and was nominated by ten former patients — all of whom detailed her work ethic, care and support throughout patients' pregnancies and postnatal journeys. While a practising midwife, Stacy also pursues her passion for building midwifery archives in the U.S., ensuring the preservation of midwifery knowledge and cultural heritage and promoting excellence in the care of birthing people, neonates and families for the future.
I am deeply honored to have been selected as a recipient of the 2024 Pure Foundation Fund. With over 30 years of experience as a midwife, I am committed to improving perinatal health through education and advocacy. The WaterWipes Pure Foundation Fund will help me continue developing an exhibit aimed at raising awareness of midwifery’s critical role in addressing the OB/GYN shortage, maternity care deserts, and the rising maternal mortality rate. I am excited to further elevate midwifery as a vital pathway toward solutions in perinatal healthcare!
WaterWipes® received more than 1,300 nominations for this year’s Pure Foundation Fund Award. The winners were ultimately selected by a panel including WaterWipes® and our partners at Project Sweet Peas and Canadian Premature Babies Foundation.
Recognizing the Great Protectors
The pregnancy, birth and postnatal journey can be emotional and stressful for patients and parents alike. The work of healthcare professionals — including midwives, doctors, nurses, surgeons, anaesthetists, obstetricians, neonatal professionals and health visitors — is one of great care and support. WaterWipes® is proud to recognize the work and efforts of these heroes through the Pure Foundation Fund, allowing parents, patients and colleagues to honor the great protectors involved in this intimate journey.
“We are so proud to honor the achievements of Jennifer and Stacy — and all the nominees this year — who continuously go above and beyond their role to ensure the families and babies they care for are supported throughout their journeys. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to all healthcare professionals — your compassion, skill and unwavering commitment are nothing short of heroic. Thank you for making a difference every day.” - Lindsay Martin, President and General Manager of WaterWipes® Americas.
WaterWipes® would like to congratulate Jennifer Rector and Stacy Vandenput and thank all those who nominated a great protector.