5: The Virtual International Day of the Midwife - Ally Anderson

Getting to Know Ally - committee member for VIDMAlly Anderson is a newly qualified midwife at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, UK. She was a secondary science teacher for thirteen years before embarking on a change of career and going back to study again at Teesside University. Ally’s first degree was in Anatomy and Physiology and she has a PGCE and Masters in Education. Ally has four children and a husband who keep her busy in between placements and study!As part of her studies, Ally took the whole family to Tanzania in 2018 for her elective placement. This experience was invaluable in demonstrating that there are so many things we can all learn from each other whether you are a student, midwife or doctor and whether you work in a well-resourced city hospital in a high-income country or a small village hospital in a low-income country. Ally’s elective placement has enthused her interest in ‘normal’ childbirth, breastfeeding and respectful maternity care.Due to Ally’s previous role, she is passionate about midwifery education – for students, preceptor midwives and qualified midwives for their continued professional development. In the future, Ally is keen that everyone all over the world should be able to have access to a contemporary and innovative midwifery education. The VIDM is one way that this could be achieved. She loves working with the wonderful, diverse members of the VIDM committee!You can find out more about the VIDM on https://vidm.org/