"Georgia Perinatal History" Speaker: Dr. Micki Cabaniss

Western Carolina Maternal-Fetal Medicine  Asheville, North Carolina

About the speaker: Dr. Cabaniss is co-founder of Georgia Perinatal Association. In 1982 she received the Stan Graven Award from National Perinatal Association for her remarkable leadership in perinatal health care. She hosted the annual Callaway Meeting while serving as Perinatologist at the Medical Center in Columbus, GA. This Callaway Conference became the birthplace of Georgia Perinatal Association.

While practicing at South Alabama Medical Center Hospital in Mobile, Dr. Cabaniss published a very profound textbook, Fetal Monitoring Interpretation in 1993 with JB Lippincott as her publisher. The textbook is a collection of EFM strips, outcomes and interpretations. The book laid the foundation for AWHONN's "Fetal Monitoring Principles and Practices." Dr. Cabaniss' book is referenced in almost every single chapter of the course's textbook, but most significantly in the chapters on dysrhythmias. When I began to teach the Advanced FHMPP course, Fetal Monitoring Interpretation was essential reading for me. I also saw only then what a remarkable influence Dr. Cabaniss has had and continues to have in the teaching of EFM interpretation to nurses and physicians.

Presentation summary: In the 1960's "preemie" nurseries were mostly concerned with the special recipes for formulas. In L&D there were no monitors and no ultrasound.

In the early 1970's a new concept was born in Syracuse, NY, "High Risk Obstetrics." Perinatology was the original concept but it was split later into the two specialties of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Neonatology. Maternal and neonatal transports began. But what was happening in Georgia? In 1973, Dr. John D. Thompson, Director of The High Risk Maternal Health Care Study, published a manual road mapping better birth outcomes for Georgians, "Building A Maternal Health Care System For Georgia." This study was co-sponsored by the M&I Council, Department of Human Resources and the Regional Perinatal Centers. And in the early 1970's, 28 weeks was thought to be the age of viability.

The need for education and research led to the simultaneous origin of Southern Perinatal Association and Great Plains Organization. Some of the early members of SPA were Stan Graven, Lillian Blackman, and John Queenan. Although there was great fellowship and mind melting, we needed a national voice. National Perinatal Association was launched in 1976.

Georgia Perinatal Association was founded in May 1977. The first officers for the years 1978-1979 were:

William Kanto, President

Micki Souma (Cabaniss, our speaker), Vice President

Jane Kimbel, Secretary

Doug Bruce, Treasurer

Other presidents of GPA are: Micki Souma, Roberta Smith, Sandra Averitt, Jim Schwartz, Larry Devoe, Tee Rae Dismukes, Gene Jackson, Dan Feldman, Ramona Kiessler, Jackie Gottlieb, Dianne Norris and our current president Edward Clark.

These people have played very important leadership roles with GPA in the early years: Luella Kline, Mary Chambers, Beryl Chesnut, Charlotte Wilen, Ellen Hale, Zoe Walker, Schley Gatewood, Jr., Dave Jelinek and Ken Henderson. Jules Terry, MD, was at DHR and spearheaded the funds to be allocated for the developing Regional Perinatal Centers. Two Governors were very important to the growing perinatal health care system: Jimmy Carter and George Busbee. Some of the very early GPA members, who are still very involved, were present during this session: Roberta Smith, Lou Steil, Pat Hicks, Jim Schwartz and Becky Olliff.

GPA's first annual meeting was in April 1981 with Dave Gagnon as keynote speaker. Louis Gluck was keynote at the September 1982 annual meeting. Regionalization's basic principles continue, Southern Perinatal Association has ceased to be, NPA is thriving and is our national voice. GPA continues as a voice through newsletters, website, multidisciplinary membership, activity in the legislative area and continues to host a very healthy annual meeting.

GPA's multidisciplinary membership is truly unique within perinatal organizations. So, why not join Georgia Perinatal Association? "Membership is open to all persons."

Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Sibley
Monday, January 12, 2004