2024 AABC Professional Award Presented to Laura Wiegand, Rebeckah Orton, and Desiree LeFavre

In recognition of their groundbreaking work in birth center sustainability, Laura Wiegand, MBA, Rebeckah Orton, BS, RN, and Desiree LeFavre, CPM, LDM, received the AABC Professional Award at the 2024 AABC Birth Institute.

Through their tenacity and unwavering commitment, these leaders created the AABC Learning Collaborative for Birth Center Sustainability Workshop, which has become a catalyst for change in our industry. Their dedication and expertise have empowered birth centers to understand their true value and negotiate equitable contracts with payers.

Each leader brings unique expertise to this work. Wiegand serves as COO of Birth Partners, Inc., Orton is a nurse, biologist, and owner of Astoria Birth Center, and LeFavre is a midwife and co-owner of Bella Vie Gentle Birth Center.

Together, they have volunteered countless hours to develop comprehensive resources, teaching birth centers how to confidently negotiate contracts and advocate for equitable payment. Their workshop has been described as a "game-changer," providing practical tools and strategies that have led to numerous success stories, including the achievement of groundbreaking parity contracts.

Their collective impact extends beyond individual birth centers to strengthen the AABC organization. Through their leadership on the Industry Relations Committee, they are helping to resolve the U.S. maternal health crisis by ensuring birth centers receive the recognition and compensation they deserve.

The American Association of Birth Centers is honored to recognize the volunteer efforts of this trio, demonstrating their profound commitment to improving the maternal healthcare infrastructure by providing birth centers with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in a challenging healthcare landscape.