AOM Midwifery Awards

Excellence in Midwifery Research Award

The Excellence in Midwifery Research Award recognizes research that advances midwifery. Nominations may reflect a multitude of research themes including, but not limited to, midwife-led care, equity, diversity and inclusion, Indigenous health, Indigenous sovereignty, cultural safety¹, mental health, leadership, policy etc¹. An anti-racist and anti-oppressive lens should have been applied during the process of conducting the research, particularly when Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQQIA+, religious minorities and other marginalized communities are involved. The award will be presented to the author(s) of the research paper selected for the award.

^{1 Cultural safety in the context of healthcare refers to the outcome that arises from respectful engagement within the healthcare setting that recognizes and attempts to level power imbalances which are inherent to the healthcare system. Culturally safe spaces and practices are free from racism and discrimination and allows both midwives to feel safe working in, and clients to feel safe receiving care. (Source: First Nations Health Authority)}

Nomination Criteria

• Ontario midwives who participated in or co-authored the research.

• The research piece supports midwifery in Ontario, Canada or globally.

• The research has been published within two years prior to December 31, 2023 or is of current significance to midwifery.

• An anti-racist and anti-oppression perspective was applied during the process of conducting the research.

• Community engagement and consultation were undertaken, where appropriate (e.g., when partnering with equity-deserving communities)

• For research studies involving Indigenous participants/communities, the nominee(s) partnered with members from the relevant community/communities. Furthermore, if research involved members from First Nations communities, the nominee(s) adhered to OCAP® principles.

• The nominee (or one of the nominees) is available to present their research to the AOM membership either virtually or in-person (unless this research has been previously presented).

• Current AOM members in good standing can submit nominations for this award, including self-nominations. Current AOM Board members and AOM employees are ineligible.

Nomination Process

Completing this nomination process will require:

1. Completing the online form. This form includes a brief description of how the research paper contributes to quality, excellence and best practice in research (200 word maximum). This description should address how the research:

• Contributes to advancing midwifery.
• Reflects at least one of the AOM’s commitments and/or goals in the Strategic Plan.
• Uses research methods and processes that are ethical, participant-centred (wherever possible), culturally-safe, well explained, and appropriate to the research question.
• Demonstrates how an anti-racist and anti-oppression lens was applied throughout the research process, where appropriate.  
• Demonstrates how community engagement, consultation, partnership and data sovereignty was prioritized, specifically for research conducted with Indigenous and equity-deserving communities,  

2. Forwarding the following supporting materials to the AOM (by email or mail):

• A copy of the published research paper or manuscript that has been accepted for publication.

• A letter of support from either the nominator or an additional supporter that explains the importance of this research to midwifery practice.

Confirmation that the/a nominee or designate is available to present this research to the AOM membership, either virtually or in-person (unless this research has been previously presented).

Keep an eye out for the call for nominations in the Midwifery Memo.

HIROC Just Culture and Patient Safety Culture Award

Purpose:

This award was established in 2019 with the generous support of the Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC), the insurer for Ontario midwives. It recognizes the important contributions made by Indigenous, Black and racialized members and midwifery students to all aspects of midwifery care, and specifically to the promotion of “just culture” and “patient safety culture.” Just culture and patient safety culture are terms that refer to the culture of health-care organizations that support teamwork and the delivery of safe care, including anti-racist service provision which is essential to safe care. Recognizing the contributions of students who are Indigenous, Black, and persons of colour (IBPOC), particularly as they relate to providing a high standard of safe, quality care, is vital as part of the Association of Ontario Midwives’ (AOM) commitment to Indigenous sovereignty and racial justice.

Here are some additional resources about “Just Culture”:

• https://justculture.hqca.ca/what-is-a-just-culture/
• https://www.cmpa-acpm.ca/en/education-events/good-practices/the-healthcare-system/just-culture
• https://www.hiroc.com/resources/risk-notes/just-culture

Here are some additional resources about “Patient Safety Culture”:

• https://www.healthcareexcellence.ca/en/resources/patient-safety-and-incident-management-toolkit/patient-safety-management/patient-safety-culture/
• https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/indicators-measurement-and-reporting/patient-safety-culture/about-patient-safety-culture

Value:

$7,500 to be divided amongst up to two students of the Midwifery Education Program.

Eligibility:

To be eligible, the applicant must:

• Be a student with lived experience as an Indigenous, Black or racialized person, and have financial need.
• Be enrolled as an undergraduate student in the Midwifery Education Program.
• Have clear Academic Standing with no disciplinary notices on file.
• Be a Canadian citizen, or a landed immigrant, or a protected person; and a resident of Ontario.

• Have completed at least one placement in the Midwifery Education Program.

• Have not received a HIROC Just Culture and Patient Safety Culture Award previously.
• Receive a minimum score of 67% on the application (reference form and reflective essay).
  Note: If there are not 2 applications that meet these requirements, the full amount could be given to a single applicant.

Nomination Criteria:

The following criteria will be assessed, and marks will be given based on the quality of the submission. Each nomination will be scored out of 100:

1. The student must submit proof of academic eligibility.
2. A completed reference form for the student’s application from a member of the midwifery community (could be a student or a midwife). Be sure to provide the person completing the form with all relevant information to provide strong support.
   
   The form will include a description of a time when the student displayed an understanding of and contribution to just culture and patient safety culture. (25 marks)   Reference forms cannot be completed by AOM Staff, Board, Quality, Insurance, and Risk Management (QIRM) Committee members or any individual assessing applications.

The student must also include a reflective essay of no more than 500 words on just culture or patient safety culture, which may include reflections on how teamwork, communication, collaboration, and midwife well-being may support safe health care.

 The essay will be scored as follows:

3. Understanding of just culture or patient safety culture. (25 marks)
4. Personal reflection on just culture or patient safety culture. (25 marks)
5. Description of self as contributor to just culture or patient safety culture. (25 marks)

Nomination Selection:

Completed nominations will be reviewed by the Quality, Insurance and Risk Management Committee and representatives of the Racial Equity Committee who will make a recommendation to the Board of Directors for up to two award recipients. The Board will make the final decision about award recipients. 

Keep an eye out for the annual call for nominations in the Midwifery Memo.

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