Job Title
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Adjunct Faculty
Nurse-Midwifery (M.S.), Graduate School
Highlight
Certified Nurse-Midwife and Family Nurse Practitioner...loving what I do!
Started at Bethel
2024
Education
- UTC - DNP, 2018
Biography
Melan J. Smith-Francis, DNP, MSN, CNM, FNP-C, is a doctorate-level nurse practitioner serving Middle Tennessee for decades. Dr. Smith-Francis is the proud mother wife and mother of 2 NICU babies, now 15 and 12. Melan is a certified nurse-midwife with experience delivering babies in birth centers, hospitals, and home settings. She also serves her community as a family nurse practitioner. She is a graduate of Florida A&M University (Biology), Austin Peay State University (Nursing), Vanderbilt University (Midwifery), Tennessee State University (Post Master’s Certificate- Family Nurse Practitioner), and the University of Tennessee (Doctorate of Nursing). She started her nursing career 15 years ago at the Vanderbilt Emergency Department. Since then, she has spent her career building upon her objectives toward her mission. As a Professor of Nursing, she prepared baccalaureate of science nurses to be true nursing advocates for mothers and children. She has served as a family and women’s health preceptor to advanced practice nursing students. She has served as the Certified Nurse-Midwife representative for the Tennessee Department of Health. She is also a member of the nursing honor society Sigma Theta Tau, the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, the American College of Nurse-Midwives, and the Tennessee Nurses Association. She has traveled to China to present her article on “Ultrasound Technology,” an article published to enhance nurses’ communication with clients regarding ultrasound studies. Her doctoral project was centered around Group Prenatal Care in an effort to improve adverse outcomes. Her mission is to decrease the incidence of morbidity and mortality among women of color and decrease cesarean rates as well as the preterm birth rate by empowering women and families to take hold of their health and nutrition.
Quote
"Courage, Smarts & Plenty of Heart"