The AWHONN Labor Lens with Lisa Miller

Featuring Dr. Kendra Crawford, Chief Nursing Officer What makes a great nurse leader? Is it the ability to make difficult decisions, inspire a team, or create an environment where every nurse feels empowered to speak up? In this inspiring episode of The Labor Lens, we sit down with Dr. Kendra Crawford, Chief Nursing Officer at Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, to explore what effective nursing leadership looks like in today's complex healthcare environment. Drawing on her leadership experiences in the United States and Abu Dhabi, Dr. Crawford explores the importance of building a culture of safety, strengthening partnerships between nursing and physician leaders, and creating an environment where communication and accountability thrive. From navigating difficult conversations to understanding the power of leadership partnerships and embracing lessons learned across cultures, this episode offers valuable perspectives for nurses at every stage of their careers. Whether you're leading an entire organization or leading from the bedside, this conversation will challenge you to think differently about your influence and the leader you want to become. Listen to discover how purposeful leadership can strengthen teams, empower nurses, and help create safer healthcare environments. This episode of The Labor Lens with Lisa Miller is presented by OBIX®.

Guest: Julie Arafieh, RN Simulation creates a safe space for clinicians to practice critical skills, strengthen communication and prepare for high-risk, low-frequency events before they occur in real-life. Julie joins us to discuss how simulation can improve team performance, enhance clinical judgement, and build confidence in obstetric care. Julie shares practical insight into what makes simulation meaningful, how debriefing supports learning, and why multidisciplinary practice is essential for improving response during obstetric emergencies. This episode highlights how simulation can move beyond “checking a box” and become a powerful tool for readiness, teamwork, patient safety, and professional growth. This episode of The Labor Lens with Lisa Miller is presented by OBIX®.  

Guest: Dr. Lexi Hill, MFM When high-risk pregnancy care depends on strong collaboration, clear communication, and mutual respect among the entire perinatal team. In tis episode, Dr. Lexi, Maternal-fetal-medicine specialist joins us to explain the role of the MFM specialist and how nurses can work effectively with MFM providers to support patients with complex maternal, fetal or obstetric concerns. This conversation offers insight into when an MFM consultation may be needed, what MFM specialists contribute to the care plan, and how nurses can help translate complex clinical information into patient-centered education and support. Dr. Lexi also discusses the value of teamwork, communication, and shared goals when caring for patients navigating high-risk pregnancy. This episode of The Labor Lens with Lisa Miller is presented by OBIX®.  

Guest: Savannah June, RN Documentation is more than a task completed by the end of a shift. It is the clinical record of what happened, what was assessed, what actions were taken, how the patients responded and how the team communicated. Savannah joins us for a practical discussion about documentation, legal risk, audit trails, and the importance of creating a clear and accurate record of care. Listeners will hear how thoughtful documentation can support patient safety, continuity of care, interdisciplinary communication, and professional accountability. Savannah shares strategies nurses can use to strengthen documentation habits in real time, avoid common pitfalls, and better understand how electronic health record audit trails may be reviewed when questions arise after care has been provided. This episode of The Labor Lens with Lisa Miller is presented by OBIX®.  

Guest: Jen Hamilton, RN Labor and Delivery nurses influence the birth experience in powerful ways, from the words they choose at the bedside to the advocacy they provide during some of the most meaningful and vulnerable moments in a patient’s life. In this episode, Jen Hamilton, RN, joins us to talk about nursing, patient advocacy, education, and the importance of helping patients feel informed, respected and supported. Known for connecting with broad audiences through social media and storytelling, Jen brings a fresh and relatable perspective on how nurses can bridge the gap between clinical care and public understanding. This conversation explores the impact of communication, trust, humor, autonomy, and compassion in maternity care, and reminds listeners why the nurse’s voice matters both at the bedside and beyond. This episode of The AWHONN Labor Lens with Lisa Miller is presented by OBIX®.  

What can perinatal clinicians learn from birth injury litigation? In this episode of Labor Lens, host Lisa Miller welcomes attorney Adam Snyder for a candid conversation about the medical-legal issues that shape perinatal practice. Recorded live at the 2026 AWHONN Convention, the discussion explores common factors in obstetric litigation, the importance of communication and documentation, and practical strategies that help support safe, evidence-based care for patients and families. Whether you're a bedside nurse, advanced practice provider, or clinical leader, you'll gain valuable perspectives on reducing risk while improving outcomes.   Guest: Adam Snyder, JD Founder, Birth Injury Law Alliance (Recorded live at the 2026 AWHONN Convention)