When the Virginia Department of Health and the Department of Medical Assistance Services reached out to Germanna last year, they shared a stark truth: Virginia urgently needs more state-certified community doulas to support expecting mothers—especially those in underserved communities.
In a state where maternal mortality continues to rise, and where Black women are nearly three times more likely to experience complications or death related to childbirth, the call for compassionate, community-based care has never been louder.
Germanna answered.
With support from the Rappahannock Area Health District, Sentara, Molina Healthcare, Mary Washington Healthcare, and Anthem, Germanna launched the region’s first Doula Training Program—a six-week course designed by Germanna’s nursing faculty to prepare students to become state-certified community doulas.
Doulas provide emotional, physical, and educational support before, during, and after childbirth. Studies show that births supported by doulas have lower rates of cesarean sections, fewer complications, and healthier outcomes for both mother and baby.
“Our goal is simple,” said Dr. John Stroffolino, Associate Dean of Health Technologies. “Every mother deserves to feel supported, heard, and safe throughout her pregnancy and birth experience. By training community doulas, we’re not only improving outcomes for mothers and babies—we’re building a stronger network of care that uplifts entire families. This is what community-centered healthcare looks like in action.”
Germanna’s first cohort began in August 2024 with 12 students—the program’s full capacity—and demand is already exceeding expectations. Thanks to early philanthropic partnerships, tuition for the first group was fully funded, allowing students to focus on their training and future careers supporting mothers in need.
“This program is about building a circle of care that begins right here in our community,” said Nataki Hill, doula professor at Germanna. “Every student we train will go on to support families who might otherwise feel alone. Together, we’re changing what maternal care looks like in our region.”
By investing in Germanna, the College and its partners are helping ensure that every mother in our region—regardless of circumstance—has access to compassionate, knowledgeable support during one of life’s most vulnerable moments. Each new doula represents another step toward a healthier, stronger community—one birth, one family, one future at a time.