Hi, there!
I’m Dr Laura Valle
DNP, APRN-CNM, NCMP
Practice:
The path I have traveled to meet you here has been full of learning, adventure, and a wide variety of life and professional experiences. I have lived and worked as a nurse and nurse-midwife in the United States, the Netherlands, France, England, and Germany. I also completed a midwifery externship in Takoradi, Ghana.
I have practiced as a full-scope midwife in a private university practice, at a federally qualified health center (FQHC), and within the European midwifery model. I also worked in a clinic only setting at Planned Parenthood where I specialized in women’s health, gynecologic, and gender-affirming care.
Through my experiences working in Europe, I have been exposed to a different type of healthcare model: one that is person focused, holistic, and embodies a team approach between provider and patient using evidence-based care and shared decision making to manage and treat health concerns.
Laura Valle
Teaching:
Academically, I worked at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center as an adjunct faculty member in the family nurse practitioner (FNP) program teaching women’s health and as an assistant clinical faculty teaching in the OBYGN residency program. I also taught in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati.
Currently, I am teaching in the women’s health nurse practitioner and midwifery program at The Ohio State University. I am also a member of the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) Exam Committee and meet twice a year to write questions for and design the forthcoming board examination.
Personal Passions:
When I am not working with women, I enjoy spending time with my young son, traveling, reading, spending time with friends, being involved in my son’s school and my local moms’ groups, writing professionally, and performing research.
My “why” for starting Willow Women’s Health:
Upon returning to the United States after working in Europe, I was disappointed and stressed by the lack of time I had to spend with my patients. It seemed like patients often needed more time to discuss their history and review their options. Education was often truncated for time, and it was difficult to fit everything in within a 15–20-minute appointment.
I believe patients deserve slower, more focused, and thorough care. To provide excellent, attentive, holistic, evidence-based, women centered care are the founding principles of Willow Women’s Health. Laura Valle
MEMBERSHIPS
2021-Present International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH)
2020-Present The North American Menopause Society (NAMS)
2020-Present The National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD)
2020-Present The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF)
2019-Present Ohio Association of Advanced Practice Nurses (OAAPN)
2017-Present American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
2011-Present Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI)
2009-Present American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM)
Why the willow tree?
The willow tree is a symbol of strength, resiliency, adaptability, and new life. From a willow tree branch, a new tree will grow. Its roots grow with fervor and remarkable strength often along water banks. Its ability to grow, evolve, remain flexible, and survive is a powerful metaphor of the strength of women whose lives change through menarche, childbearing and rearing, and menopause.
The flexible yet resilient and strong willow tree embodies women’s ability to adjust to life’s pressures, bend and sway amidst life’s storms, and remain supple and firmly rooted whilst evolving through life’s changes and stages. Laura Valle
Hallmarks of Midwifery
The art and science of midwifery are characterized by the following hallmarks:
A. Recognition, promotion, and advocacy of menarche, pregnancy, birth, and menopause as normal physiologic and developmental processes
B. Advocacy of non-intervention in physiologic processes in the absence of complications
C. Incorporation of evidence-based care into clinical practice
D. Promotion of person-centered care for all, which respects and is inclusive of diverse histories, backgrounds, and identities
E. Empowerment of women and persons seeking midwifery care as partners in health care
F. Facilitation of healthy family and interpersonal relationships
G. Promotion of continuity of care
H. Utilization of health promotion, disease prevention, and health education
I. Application of a public health perspective
J. Utilizing an understanding of social determinants of health to provide high-quality care to all persons including those from underserved communities
K. Advocating for informed choice, shared decision making, and the right to selfdetermination
L. Integration of cultural safety into all care encounters
M. Incorporation of evidence-based integrative therapies
N. Skillful communication, guidance, and counseling
O. Acknowledgment of the therapeutic value of human presence
P. Ability to collaborate with and refer to other members of the interprofessional health care team
Q. Ability to provide safe and effective care across settings including home, birth center, hospital, or any other maternity care service