Professional Midwife Raya Williams is getting a Palmer education to give the best to her patients.
Some of Raya Williams’ classmates might think she’s a superhero in disguise.
Occasionally, Raya, a student at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, has to make a sudden, unexplained exit. She’s not fighting crime, however. She is changing lives.
On top of being a full-time student, Raya is also a full-time Certified Professional Midwife.
A normal day for Raya might include a course exam, hours in Palmer’s chiropractic clinic, and facilitating a home birth for a client where she “catches” the baby (that’s midwife language to emphasize that the parent is the one doing the delivering!). It’s a full plate.
“It certainly keeps me busy,” Raya admits. “But I wouldn’t trade a thing. I’m energized by what I’m learning at Palmer, and I’m so grateful for the support I’ve received from my peers and instructors. They make me feel like anything is possible.”
When completing her clinical requirements as a senior student midwife, Raya studied under a preceptor in Rock Island, Illinois. The midwife was a strong advocate of chiropractic care and encouraged Raya to visit Palmer’s clinic for an adjustment. “Let’s say the experience adjusted my plans,” Raya laughs. “The experience I had on the table confirmed a lot of what I’d heard about the power of chiropractic. It clearly fit into the holistic values of my patients and me. And I immediately recognized how chiropractic could improve pre- and post-birth care. I believe chiropractic should be the standard of care for all low-risk birthing parents.”
Raya has witnessed an increased interest in home births in recent years as families search for an experience that is more closely tied to cultural tradition and personal values. She combines a range of practices and traditions — including midwifery, lactation counseling, prenatal nutrition education, herbalism, reiki, and chiropractic — to give parents every opportunity to take control and have a safe birth experience.
After graduation, Raya plans to continue her work as a midwife, adding chiropractic philosophy and practice to her care plan for parents. She is particularly interested in reaching communities that are considered “maternal care deserts,” places where there are few providers that serve the out-of-hospital setting. “I’m going to continue learning and using the best available evidence to make birth the safe and sacred experience it should be,” Raya says. “Palmer has prepared me to go where I’m needed and help patients in the best way possible.”
Wherever she goes, Raya will always be connected to Palmer College. To date, she’s “caught” four babies of fellow Palmer students. Talk about supporting the next generation of chiropractors.
Raya’s Top 5 Tips for Palmer Students
As she nears graduation, Raya has mastered the art of organization and getting the most out of her education. Here are her top five tips for students:
- Shadow different docs: Gather as many perspectives as you can. I have found it helpful to ask lots of questions.
- Build a rapport with your professors: I make a habit of connecting with them however I can. You will learn more and gain a valuable network.
- Find a great study group ASAP. First-year curriculum is no joke; my study group helped me get through!
- Know what you want to get out of the program. I write down my goals and make sure I am spending my time on what matters most to me.
- Apps can be your friend! I rely on apps for checklists, reminders, and accountability. Find what works for you.
