Board and Committees

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Board Formation and History

The National Doula Certification Board held its first board meeting in November 2021 as a regulatory body setting forth the professional standards for the practice of doulas. The NDCB is comprised of subject matter experts and interested parties within the industry.

Members and Committees

The National Doula Certification Board is currently made up of volunteer members. The member composition of the certification board includes a minimum of four voting members representing the following interested parties: doulas, medical care team members, consumers of doula services, higher education, employers, insurers, researchers, and other facility personnel, such as hospitals and birth center staff.

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Amy King

Chair

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Alex Golston

Vice-Chair

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Rhonda Ward

Board Member

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Dr. Stephen Cobb

Board Member

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Kacie Gikonyo

Board Member

Katy Hensley

Katy Hensley

Board Member

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Christopher Helms

Board Member

Sarah Helms

Sarah Helms

Board Member

Sonja Spitzer

Sonja Spitzer

Board Member

Committees

There are currently three standing committees; however, the certification board may assign ad hoc committees as needed to accomplish its purpose and responsibilities. These may include ad hoc committees for issues such as practice analysis, item writing, item review, and passing score development, among others.

The Governance Committee is responsible for ensuring the board has the diversity of skill, expertise, knowledge, and interested party representation to support the work of the board and for ensuring board committees are tasked appropriately to carry out the mission of the NDCB as well as the work of the Board.

The Appeals Committee is responsible for hearing and making determinations on appeals submitted by NDCB certification applicants, candidates, or certificants.
The Quality Committee is responsible for recommending the policies, procedures, and processes related to the quality of clinical aspects of the program; reviewing and approving clinical processes, checkpoints, and guardrails; and overseeing clinical compliance of medical facilities with quality, safety, and learning standards.

Want to become a professional doula?

Receive your Professional Doula Certification through the National Doula Certification Board to start making a difference in the lives of families going through the life-changing experience of having a baby.