Dau Wins Kitty Ernst Award

Kim Q. Dau, RN, MS, CNM, is the 2014 recipient of the Kitty Ernst Award, which recognizes excellence in clinical practice, education, administration, or research relating to midwifery and women’s health. A 2001 graduate of Duke University and 2007 graduate of UC San Francisco. She is currently a midwife at San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (SFGH), and an assistant clinical professor and midwifery education program director at the UCSF School of Nursing.

Dau is passionate about addressing health disparities and fostering a diverse midwifery workforce. As the inaugural chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce, she has worked with the leadership of American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) to acquire and synthesize large amounts of information related to updating ACNM’s diversity goals and objectives for the future.

With strong leadership experience, Dau has made her commitment to the College visible through chairing ACNM’s Student Committee, Midwives of Color Committee (MOCC) Health Disparities Subcommittee, and the Health Policy Committee of her ACNM region in Northern California.

Considered to be an effective communicator and listener by her colleagues, Dau is committed to all aspects of midwifery care – from advocacy work, for which she was recognized at last year’s ACNM Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Nashville, to the future of the midwifery profession.

The Kitty Ernst Award, affectionately known as the “Young Whippersnapper Award,” is named after the College’s fourth and youngest president, and one of its most dynamic living legends. The Kitty Ernst Award was established in 1998 to honor an ACNM member who has been certified for less than 10 years and has demonstrated innovative, creative endeavors in clinical practice, education, administration, or research relating to midwifery and women’s health.

Photos by ©Robert Levy Photography