Reinders, Agnes (1913–1993)

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Reinders, Agnes (1913–1993)

American nun and nurse-midwife. Name variations: Agnes Shoemaker; Sister M. Theophane. Born Agnes Shoemaker, Aug 27, 1913, near Owensboro, KY; died Sept 28, 1993; Catholic University of America, BS in nursing, 1941, MA in administration, 1946; Maternity Center Association in NYC, nurse-midwifery certificate, 1943; m. Henry Reinders, 1970.

Developed nurse-midwifery services in Santa Fe, NM; joined the Medical Mission Sisters (Roman Catholic order); directed and helped found the Catholic Maternity Institute (CMI), which opened the 1st freestanding birth center in America at La Casita (1951), offered the 1st school of nurse-midwifery associated with a university (Catholic University), and was the 1st to offer a nurse-midwifery MA program; advocated and later chaired a committee for establishment of American College of Nurse-Midwifery (ACNM, 1955, renamed American College of Nurse-Midwives, 1969); served as ACNM's 2nd president (1957–59); served as the 1st editor of Bulletin of American College of Nurse-Midwifery, an ACNM publication; taught at Marquette University College of Nursing.