Missouri Partnered to Launch Nurse Midwife Training

The University of Missouri will develop a training program to help rural health facilities address maternal care shortages.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Nursing Jobs

Isometric editorial illustration of a medical exam table and fetal monitor in a clinical space, representing rural maternal healthcare expansion. — The University of Missouri is launching the state's first certified nurse midwife training program to combat maternal care shortages in rural counties. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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State agencies have partnered with the University of Missouri to establish the state's first certified nurse midwife training program. This initiative, part of the Rural Health Transformation Program, aims to address severe shortages of maternal and OB-GYN care.

Why it matters

More than half of rural Missouri counties currently lack reliable prenatal and delivery services, hindering health access for residents. The new training program seeks to expand the workforce of qualified providers in these underserved regions.

Currently, over 50% of rural counties in the state lack reliable prenatal and delivery services. The new partnership with the University of Missouri aims to fill the gap left by zero existing certified nurse midwife programs.

The players

University of Missouri

A public research university operating the state's leading academic nursing school.

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

The state agency responsible for public health oversight and medical workforce development.

Missouri Department of Social Services

The state agency overseeing public health programs and support services for underserved populations.

The details

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the Department of Social Services are collaborating with the University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing to secure accreditation. This program will incorporate rural clinical training sites to provide students with hands-on experience in underserved areas. Graduates who commit to working in these communities will be central to the initiative's staffing model.

Fall 2029: The University of Missouri plans to open the certified nurse midwife training program.

Market Landscape

This program aligns with the Rural Health Transformation Program’s focus on regional workforce stabilization. It represents a significant departure from current models by institutionalizing midwife training to address severe maternal care gaps.

Business operators in rural healthcare should monitor the program's accreditation progress as it signals a future shift in the availability of qualified clinical staff. Facilities may eventually leverage these graduates to stabilize prenatal and obstetric service lines.

The takeaway

The move formalizes a long-term strategy to address rural workforce shortages by connecting academic training directly to underserved clinical sites. Operators should track the 2029 program opening to evaluate potential hiring pipelines for their own maternal care departments.