Biography
Felina Ortiz, DNP, RN, CNM, FACNM is a clinician educator - associate professor and a nurse-midwife specializing in women's health and newborn care at The University of New Mexico (UNM) College of Nursing. She loves to educate about Women's Health and helping people unleash their inner power. She is an activist for 'female rights,' including reproductive justice. She specializes in working with culturally diverse families and is an advocate for the marginalized populations. She believes in holistic, traditional care and is respectful of others' spiritual and cultural beliefs.
After practicing as a certified nurse-midwife in clinical practice within underserved communities for 8 years, Ortiz joined the UNM College of Nursing faculty in 2011. She led the development and implementation of prenatal group care facilitated by midwives and community health workers in a faculty practice based in a rural community health center. Currently, she teaches Women's Health, Newborn care and Primary Care Concepts within the nurse-midwifery and family nurse practitioner programs.
Ortiz's clinical scholarship foci included health equity in maternal-child health disparities within communities of color, as well as recruitment and support of students and faculty of color. With this in mind, she co-created the New Mexico chapter of Midwives of Color and a national mentoring program that helps recruit, support and empower midwives of color, promoting a positive impact within their own communities. Currently, she is the Chair of the Midwives of Color Committee for the American College of Nurse-Midwives.
Ortiz holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice from New Mexico State University, a Master of Science in Nursing from UNM, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Utah and an Associate of Science in Nursing from Weber State University. Although, she never had the opportunity to learn from a faculty of color, she had many allies and mentors.
Personal Statement
As a first generation Latinx college graduate, Dr. Ortiz has had personal experience overcoming many barriers within higher education. As a faculty member, she utilizes her privilege to help students who don't always see themselves in academic settings be successful.
Areas of Specialty
Community Health | Cultural Safety | Family-Centered Care | Health Equity | Maternal and Child Health | Midwifery/ OBGYN | Reproductive Health | Traditional Care | Underserved Populations | Women's Health
Education
DNP, New Mexico State University, 2014 (Nursing)
MSN, The University of New Mexico, 2003 (Nurse-Midwifery)
BSN, University of Utah, 2001 (Nursing)
AS, Weber State University, 1998 (Nursing)
Certificate, Weber State University, 1997 (Licensed Practical Nursing)
Certifications
RN: Registered Nurse
CNM: Certified Nurse-Midwife
Achievements & Awards
FACNM: Fellow of the American College of Nurse-Midwives
Gender
Female
Languages
- Spanish