November 6-8, 2026
Preconference November 5th
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TEXAS
BIRTH &
BALANCE at the
BEACH
Join us for the conference… which feels like a retreat!
Catch the rays (and not just the babies) with us, and leave feeling sunkissed and not burned out. Whether online or on the island, everyone will feel part of the community, with time to learn and connect.
Our aim for this conference is to focus on meaningful learning, vibrant community connection, and strong participation — not profit. We’re keeping ticket prices as affordable as possible while ensuring an exceptional and enriching experience for all attendees.
… and shoots
Roots…
The Gathering has deep roots in the history of midwifery in Texas. First envisioned by Sister Angela Murdaugh and other leaders from ATM and CTCNM, The Gathering was held almost annually for 25 years, until 2019. It moved through different locations across Texas, but its purpose remained constant: to honor the common ground we share as midwives, regardless of practice setting, professional background, or organizational affiliation.
While education was always part of The Gathering, it was never only about clinical learning. It was also a time to get to know one another as people, with intentional space for fellowship, connection, celebration, and the strengthening of relationships across the midwifery community. In that same spirit, this year’s planners have included many of the traditional and foundational Gathering activities in the ATM Conference program*. Our hope is that those who attended past Gatherings will feel that history honored, and that those who are new to The Gathering will feel welcomed into its spirit and into the ancient, shared lineage we hold as midwives.
We also hope this is not only a remembrance, but the beginning of regrowth. By relaunching The Gathering within the ATM Conference, we hope to encourage new shoots: renewed relationships, renewed collaboration, and renewed enthusiasm. There will be a dedicated time for those interested in coming together to discuss the future of The Gathering, including the goal of running it as a stand-alone event once again, tended to jointly by members of CTCNM and ATM.
* Particular thought was put into:
Self-care: arts, crafts, games, & movement
Laguna Madre dolphin tour
Blessing of the Hands
LM/CPM & CNM speakers and planners
Downtime for conversations & restorative rest
Discounted student attendance & accommodation
BEACH BUMS
You’ll Love our Line-up!
❤️ Shore Steps
Beach Bums at heart: self-care and client care through trauma and healing
❤️ Anchored in Accountability
Steady in the Storm: navigating complaints, complications and legislation
❤️ Ebb and Flow
Working With the Tides: from fertility to lactation and menopause
❤️ Bums and Bummers
From Breeches to Stitches: caring for clients when bottoms and bummers happen
Dive In Early…
To Our Preconference!
Thursday, November 5th, 1:00-6:00 p.m
12 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM
Suturing for Midwives - Repair of Common Lacerations after Birth
for 4+ hours
$125
Join us for a hands-on deep dive into the art and science of suturing. This preconference workshop will move from foundations to practice, beginning with consent, shared clinical decision-making, anatomy, assessment, local anesthesia, instruments, suture selection, needles, knots, and stitches. We’ll then explore laceration types in detail, including vaginal, perineal, and vulvar repairs, with guided practice on models to build confidence and technique.
Participants will also learn how to recognize lacerations that require consultation or transfer, including cervical, third-degree, and fourth-degree tears. This practical, skills-focused session is designed to strengthen both clinical judgment and hands-on suturing ability in a supportive, vegetarian-friendly learning environment.
Surf’s Up!
Meet our beachside guides!
Shore Steps
Niessa Meier, CNM: Birth Trauma
Vanessa Straub, LPC-A: EMDR
Carolina Villarreal, LPC: Art Therapy
Samantha Pierce, CNM: Trafficking, trauma-informed care
Brittany Thompson: Trafficking, trauma-informed care
Lindsay Szauter, MD: Zuranalone
Anchored in Accountability
Sabrina Elliott, CPM: Complaints & Midwifery Law
Michelle Gold, LM: Legislation
Dinah Waranch, CNM-R: Maternal Morbidity & Mortality
Jackie Griggs, CNM: Birth centers, complaints
Nakeenya Wilson, MS: Maternal Morbidity & Mortality
Ebb and Flow
Annette Jones, CNM: Natural Approaches to Fertility
Jen Gabler, CPM: Surrogacy
Eva Kimble, RN, IBCLC: Lactation and Breast Health
Niessa Meier, CNM: Menopause
Codie Prinz: Newborn Screens
Bums &Bummers
Mary Barnett, CNM-R: Preconference Suturing
Haydee Medrano, OTR: Pelvic Floor Health
Christine Hernandez, OTR: Pelvic Floor Health
Byron Newton, MD: Breech and Twins
Carla Morrow: PROM and GBS
Catrice Harris, CPM: Bridging Birth Equity
Ashley Musil, CPM: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Make Some Waves! Looking for Vendors and Sponsors
ATM’s annual Midwifery Conference hosts Licensed Midwives, Certified Nurse Midwives, midwifery students, doulas, childbirth educators, and more from all over the state of Texas and beyond! As providers caring for growing families, we’re always looking for new products and services to include in our practices. From natural remedies and supplements, to equipment, “birth merch” and more - the ATM Conference is a great place to advertise your business!
During our annual conference, we have the beautiful Hilton Garden Inn Vendor Area open to all conference attendees to shop between workshops. If you’re interested in being a vendor or sponsor, and supporting Midwifery in Texas, please submit a Vendor Inquiry Form below!
Wishing You Were Here!
Don’t end up
Stay with us on SPI
Queen or King rooms at $109 block price available here!
Rates are for up to 4 people. For over-occupancy, breakfast is available for just $10 per person!
Midwives,
Please consider donating to help support student attendance at the conference!
Students Stay for Free!
Up to 15 students will have the opportunity to stay free of charge in a beautiful waterfront home in Port Isabel, just across the bridge from South Padre. The home is approximately a 15-minute drive from the conference venue, and students will be responsible for arranging their own transportation between the two. Please note that room and/or bed sharing may be required at full occupancy, and the home has three bathrooms available for shared use. A $100 deposit is required, refundable if no damage is done to the home or contents.
Conference and Room Block at: Hilton Garden Inn South Padre Island, 7010 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78597 ~ 956-761-8700
Limited free student accommodation at: 602 Windward Dr, Port Isabel, TX 78578 ~ email region8b@texasmidwives.com
Fly, BRO!
The closest airports are Brownsville SPI (40 min) and Harlingen (1 hour). You can rent a car from either location, and we’re offering a pre-booked airport pick-up on Thursday and drop-off on Sunday. We anticipate offering at least these times:
HAR 11/5: 11:30, 13:50, 14:45, 16:30, 18:40, 20:15
BRO 11/5: 10:30, 15:40, 19:50
HAR 11/8: 12:00, 13:45, 15:45, 17:40
BRO 11/8: 14:40, 19:00
You may also want to rent a golf cart on the island!
email region8b@texasmidwives.com to book pick-up and drop-off
The Daily Drift ~
Draft Schedule
Update coming 9/12
Seas the Day…
… and Dive In!
ATM student early bird virtual:
ATM student regular virtual:
ATM student early bird in-person:
ATM student regular in-person:
ATM member early bird virtual:
ATM member regular virtual:
ATM member early bird in-person:
ATM member regular in-person:
$100
$200
$250
$350
$250
$350
$400
$500
Members
Student early bird virtual:
Student regular virtual:
Student early bird in-person:
Student regular in-person:
Early bird virtual:
Regular virtual:
Early bird in-person:
Regular in-person:
$200
$300
$350
$450
$350
$450
$500
$600
Non-Members
Registration includes:
🧠Access to all sessions, with approximately 20 hours of CEUs*, plus learning that goes beyond midwifery care.
🌮Beverages, catered lunch, & an afternoon snack for in-person attendees. Dietary requirements by 10/1/26, please.
👕A conference t-shirt. Please provide size at the time of registration. Not guaranteed after 9/15/26.
🎁Lots of goodies for you to enjoy. Gifts are chosen depending on in-person or virtual. Not guaranteed after 9/15/26.
🏖️Fun filled entertainment and time for connection, regardless of whether you’re in-person or attending virtually:
🍹Time for chilling and chatting
🧘♀️Prenatal yoga flow - on the beachfront for in-person attendees
🎨Centering Crafts
🎓ATM student graduation and ‘Blessing of the Hands’ ceremony
🐬Dolphin tour for in-person attendees
🍪 Ocean-themed cookie baking for virtual attendees
We are applying for CEU approval through ACNM, which can be used by CNMs and LMs/CPMs for license renewal. For any sessions that do not qualify for ACNM CEUs, we will have CEUs approved by ATMMTP, which can only be used towards LM/CMP renewal. We have 22 hours of sessions in the main conference, and do not expect more than two or three hours (if that) to be rejected by ACNM, but time will tell, of course!
Registration FAQs
Dates
Early Bird pricing runs until June 30th.
Regular ticket pricing runs from July 1st and includes at-the-door purchases.
T-shirts and gifts are only guaranteed for ticket orders placed by September 15th. Note: the gifts included differ between the virtual and in-person packages, and changes to which are included and whether they will be mailed to you or remain at the Conference cannot be guaranteed after this date.
Dietary Requirements are only guaranteed for requests made by October 1st.
Room block spaces will be held until October 7th, or until the block is full - whichever comes sooner. Rooms are refundable until November 3rd, or as updated by the hotel.
Refunds and Upgrades
No refunds are available for conference tickets, as we need to order t-shirts, food, entertainment and gifts in advance. However, we are hoping that all sessions will be recorded, and will then be available asynchronously, so you can still watch any sessions you might miss due to births, etc. If you buy an in-person ticket and cannot attend, we suggest that you have someone pick up your t-shirt and beach bag for you, as we will not be able to ship these all out.
Upgrades from Virtual to In-person can be made on the door, or by contacting us on region8b@texasmidwives.com and paying the balance owed. Regular ticket pricing rather than Early Bird pricing will apply for these upgrades, regardless of when you purchased your virtual ticket.
Attending Sessions
Generally, two sessions will be running simultaneously during the conference. We are hoping that all session recordings will then be available asynchronously to both in-person and virtual attendees for 4 weeks after the conference. We will confirm this ASAP, as some speakers may not agree to having their sessions available in this way, for example.
Whilst we cannot prevent individuals who have not paid from watching recorded sessions, we ask you to please bear in mind that this directly impacts our income for the year, which then impacts our ability to pay for things like protecting midwifery in Texas. Additionally, CEUs will only be available for those who have paid to attend (in-person or virtually).