Skip to main content

Jennifer Almanza, DNP, APRN, CNM

Dr. Jennifer Almanza (she/her/hers) embarked on her journey into reproductive health care at the age of 19, when she supported her 17-year-old friend during the birth of her first child. This formative experience inspired Jennifer to become a culturally-centered doula. She later pursued a career in nursing, gaining extensive experience in Labor and Delivery, Postpartum, and the NICU. She included work as a high-risk pregnancy case manager until she received a Bush Leadership Fellowship, which enabled her to pursue a Doctorate in Nursing Practice in Midwifery. At the University of Minnesota, she had the privilege of being mentored by renowned Public Health researchers in Maternal and Child Health and contributed to original research on doula care and community-based birth centers.
A passionate advocate for volunteerism, Jennifer serves on multiple state and community boards. She co-chairs the Minnesota Maternal Morbidity Review Committee, serves on the Minnesota Affiliate of AWHONN and the Minnesota Perinatal Quality Collaborative. Additionally, she is a founding member of the Indigenous and Midwives of Color Committee (IMOCC), a subcommittee of the Minnesota Affiliate of the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM).
Jennifer’s life work is dedicated to building high-quality reproductive care that emphasizes respectful, relationship-centered care and recognizes culture as a strength. Currently, she serves as the Advanced Practice Nurse Leader of the Family Birth Centers at HealthPartners and Park Nicollet and continues to catch babies at Regions Hospital whenever she can.