Faucett chosen to lead Vanderbilt’s Nurse Midwifery Specialty

Kendra Faucett

Kendra M. Faucett, DNP, BS’00, CNM, APRN, CNE, FACNM, will become academic director for the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing’s Nurse-Midwifery specialty on September 18. She comes to Nashville from her role as an assistant professor and course coordinator at Frontier Nursing University. 

“I am thrilled to be joining the No. 1 midwifery program in the country,” Faucett said. “Vanderbilt has an outstanding reputation, and I am eager to work with the amazing faculty to educate the next generation of certified nurse-midwives. I look forward to watching the students grow into clinicians who understand the art and science of midwifery and who are ready to meet the maternal health care needs in this country. As a 2000 graduate of the College of Arts and Science, it is especially meaningful for me to return to Vanderbilt. It feels like I’ve come full circle!” 

As nurse-midwifery specialty director and assistant professor, she will guide the education of nurse-midwifery students as well as of family nurse practitioner and nurse-midwifery students enrolled in VUSN’s dual NM/FNP specialty.

“Dr. Faucett’s passion and experience in designing effective, inclusive and innovative teaching to meet the needs of students with a variety of learning preferences will be warmly embraced,” said Senior Associate Dean for Academics Mavis Schorn PhD, APRN, CNM, CNE, FACNM, FNAP, FAAN. “Her national connections and positive reputation in the nurse-midwifery profession and warm style will draw diverse students and continue to advance VUSN’s nurse-midwifery specialty.

She has earned numerous teaching, leadership and midwifery awards and has experience in political advocacy, public health, testing strategies and decreasing racial disparities. The American College of Nurse-Midwives inducted her as a fellow in 2022. 

“Nurses-midwives are vital to assuring maternal and infant health and they are increasingly needed in areas across the country. With her exceptional leadership skills, expertise and passion for educating students, Dr. Faucett will assure that our nurse-midwifery program continues its tradition of excellence and innovation,” said Dean Pamela Jeffries, PhD, FAAN, ANEF, FSSH, the Valere Potter Distinguished Professor of Nursing. “We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Faucett to the Vanderbilt School of Nursing.”  

She succeeds Julia Phillippi, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, who directed the specialty for four years and has taken on new academic leadership responsibilities. 

“Dr. Phillippi led the nurse-midwifery program to continued success and student achievement in a period that saw unprecedented challenges to health care and society,” Jeffries said. “We are very grateful for her leadership and dedication to the nurse-midwifery program and VUSN.” 

Faucett is president of the Kentucky affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives. She is a member of the Kentucky Association of Nurse Practitioners and Nurse-Midwives, Kentucky Board of Nursing, Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health, American Council on Education, National Organization of Nurse Practitioners Faculties, National League for Nursing and Kentucky Nurses Association. 

“One of my professional goals is to develop lasting relationships with the students as they embark on their careers as Nurse-Midwives,” she said. “I would like to build and foster alumni ties so that each graduate wishes to give back to Vanderbilt and the profession by precepting VUSN students. The dream is that there is a clinical placement site for everyone who wants to become a midwife.” 

Faucett has a doctor of nursing practice degree in leadership and management from Yale University. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt in religious studies, an associate degree in nursing from Bluegrass Community College and a master of science in nursing degree (nurse-midwifery) from the Frontier Nursing University.