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STAGING SITE

Our Story

Built for the clinicians
we once were.

The founders of Excellence in Gyn at a clinical education event

Excellence in Gyn was founded by three certified nurse-midwives who spent decades learning outpatient gynecology from multidisciplinary clinicians ... day by day, case by case, consult after consult. With few options for midwifery-specific clinician support, we individually learned over time from professional memberships, continued education, certification, experienced colleagues and from our patients. Over time, we developed satisfying lifespan midwifery practices, but despairingly watched capable colleagues hesitate at the same clinical thresholds. 

We built Excellence in Gyn as the education we wish we'd had and for the community we want to have. There is no decision distancing - each course is grounded in evidence, designed for the pace of clinical life, and built by clinicians who see patients every week.

How We Got Here

Three clinicians.
Many long conversations.

The idea for Excellence in Gyn grew out of a series of casual conversations between Lori, Jennifer, and Heather. After finding one another through shared professional events, a friendship developed that turned into long text strings and regular meetups for coffee and breakfast. We talked about our clinical uncertainties, our practice environments and we also talked about our own hormones. We love the small community that we have made with just the three of us and we also love talking about topics related to outpatient gynecology.

Clinicians across disciplines have varying foundational gynecology experiences and real world practice environments often do not support continued learning. For us, it was difficult to overcome both the educational and practice barriers to implement personalized outpatient gynecology care. What we discovered, however, was that people who had received care utilizing the midwifery / empowerment model continued coming back to care and they expressed feeling heard. 

So in 2025, we started meeting more regularly around a new intention. What if we could build the opportunity for others to find support like we have? We let the evidence guide us every step of the way, just like we do in clinical care.

What We Believe

The beliefs behind the curriculum.

Access & Equity

We believe improving clinician education expands access to high-quality, person-centered care for all.

Personalized, Evidence-Based Care

We believe care should integrate the best available evidence with each person’s unique needs, preferences, and lived experience.

Empowerment & Self-Efficacy

We center care that strengthens individuals’ ability to understand and care for themselves, while honoring their knowledge of their own bodies.

Relational Care

We value trust, continuity, and relationships that are respectful, reciprocal, and enduring.

Collaborative Learning

We believe clinicians grow best in community; through shared inquiry, interdisciplinary perspectives, and collective problem-solving.

Translational Practice

We prioritize turning knowledge into action through practical tools, case-based learning, and real-world application.

Inclusion & Mentorship

We are rooted in the midwifery model of inclusion, respect, and shared wisdom, creating space for all clinicians to learn and lead.

Adaptability & Growth

We recognize that knowledge evolves and commit to continuous learning informed by both evidence and the voices of those seeking care. 

The Founders

The clinicians
behind the content.

Lori Swain, DNP, CNM, MSCP, FACNM
Founder

Lori Swain

DNP, CNM, MSCP, FACNM

Lori is a CNM in full-time clinical practice, bringing the midwifery model of care to patients across the lifespan — with a specific focus on midlife and gynecologic care. She is a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP) and is committed to partnering with patients as they navigate the transitions and complexities of midlife and beyond.

Lori is a past president of the Oregon Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), routinely serves a clinical preceptor for students, and in 2024 was inducted as a Fellow of the ACNM in recognition of her leadership and contributions to the profession. She currently serves as Quality Chair for the Medical Staff of the community hospital where she maintains privileges.

The patients who need the most support are often seeing clinicians who are unsure of best practices. That's the problem we're solving.

Jennifer Ham, DNP, CNM, MSCP, FACNM
Founder

Jennifer Ham

DNP, CNM, MSCP, FACNM

Jennifer has served as a CNM to families across a variety of organizational models throughout the United States since 2011 and she has been caring for birthing people in hospital settings since 1999. She is currently working as a clinician with interest in longitudinal care and holds expertise as clinical faculty, in systems quality improvement, and she is a published author on the topic of mentorship. She earned her MSCP in 2015 and she is a fellow of the American College of Nurse-Midwives, which honors midwives who have demonstrated enduring contributions to the profession.

As a lifelong learner, she enjoys fostering discussions around clinical excellence and emerging evidence. She strives to support individuals and families through the midwifery philosophical framework and longitudinal care models that promote continuity, trust, and holistic well-being.

I had difficulty making the connection between passive online CE courses and changes needed the next day in my practice. These tools are designed to develop and sustain practice. 

Heather Carrion, CNM, MSCP, RNFA
Founder

Heather Carrion

CNM, MSCP, RNFA

Heather began practicing midwifery in 2010, first in a Philadelphia-area practice where she gained invaluable gynecology experience mentored by the physician-owner before moving to Oregon in 2015. In January 2024, she transitioned to gynecology-only care, earned her MSCP designation in October 2024, and completed RN First Assist training for gynecologic surgery in August 2025. Throughout her career, she has provided person-centered care and would now like to help other clinicians become comfortable doing the same.

I had exceptional mentors who taught me to love GYN. Not every clinician is that lucky. This curriculum is an attempt to close that gap.

Get in Touch

Questions, partnerships,
or just a conversation.

contact@excellenceingyn.com
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@excellence-in-gyn
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