Isabel Griffith, MPH is the recipient of the 2026 Nancy K. Lowe Scholarly Writing Award for her article “Effect of TeamBirth on Patient Trust and Autonomy During Childbirth in Oklahoma,” published in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing (JOGNN). This award, selected by the editors of JOGNN and Nursing for Women’s Health (NWH) in collaboration with their Editorial Advisory Boards, recognizes one outstanding article each year for excellence in scholarship and writing.
Advancing Patient-Centered Care Through TeamBirth
The study, led by Amber Weiseth, DND, MSN, RN, and Director of TeamBirth at Ariadne Labs, rigorously explored how participation in TeamBirth huddles — structured, team-based communication practices during labor — relates to patients’ experiences of trust and autonomy in decision-making. Using survey data from more than 6,500 patients who gave birth at hospitals in Oklahoma between 2022 and 2024, the research found that those who experienced TeamBirth huddles reported significantly higher scores on measures of trust and autonomy compared with those who did not. Importantly, elevated scores were observed across all racial and ethnic groups, and exposure to huddles helped reduce disparities in these scores.
These findings suggest that TeamBirth has the potential to strengthen the quality of communication between clinicians and patients and contribute to more equitable, patient-centered childbirth experiences.
A Meaningful Contribution to Maternal Health Research
The Nancy K. Lowe Scholarly Writing Award highlights work that is both methodologically rigorous and meaningful to clinical practice. Griffith’s research stands out for its clear, data-driven insights into how intentional care processes like TeamBirth can enhance the childbirth experience, beyond traditional clinical outcomes.
“It is an honor to be recognized with this award and to help share the impact of TeamBirth,” said Griffith. This research would not have been possible without the dedication of our incredible partners at Oklahoma Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative and the 31 participating hospitals in Oklahoma.”
Congratulations to Isabel Griffith for this well-deserved recognition and for advancing evidence that supports improved teamwork and shared decision-making during childbirth.