Grace Dible DNP, CNM, APRN, Indiana, U.S.

Grace Dible, DNP, CNM, is a certified nurse midwife and full-time clinical nursing professor at Indiana University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Marian University, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Miami, and both a Master of Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Frontier Nursing University. In addition to her academic role, Dr. Dible practices part-time as a certified nurse midwife at a federally qualified health center, where she provides compassionate care to underserved and economically disadvantaged populations. Her professional focus centers on advancing maternal health in Indiana through advocacy/education, and she serves on several key organizations, including the Indiana affiliate of the American College of Nurse Midwives, the Indiana OBGYN Health Workforce Council, the Indiana Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative, and the Fetal Infant Mortality Review board for Broward County, Florida and Indianapolis, IN.

Session

Fetal Infant Mortality Review: Building Collaborative Strategies to Save Lives

This session offers doulas a compelling look at how community-based mortality review processes connect directly to doula practice. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how pairing data with qualitative insights drives meaningful change, and how doulas play a critical role in supporting and advocating for families, especially those who may lack a voice in the healthcare system.

Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) is conducted by an interdisciplinary team that examines cases of fetal deaths (20 weeks gestation and beyond) and infant deaths occurring before the first birthday. Teams meet monthly to review deidentified medical records and, when families agree, parent interviews that capture perspectives which may differ from medical documentation.

Key takeaways from FIMR reviews align closely with core doula values: promoting respectful maternity care, addressing social determinants of health, practicing cultural humility, and enhancing education and engagement. Doula involvement ensures families receive better support and advocacy at every step.