Vicki Van Wagner

Vicki was the founding director of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Midwifery Education Program (MEP). As a faculty member since 1998, Vicki has played a leadership role in evolution of the MEP and the field of midwifery in Ontario.

Her major areas of research have focused on maternity care policy, and perceptions and best practices for natural birth. Vicki has a passion for improving the delivery of midwifery care in remote and Aboriginal communities. Over the course of more than a decade, she has spent extensive periods of time living, teaching and practicing midwifery in the Inuit community of Nunavik in Northern Quebec.

Vicki has consulted on various government initiatives across Canada to enhance maternal and midwifery care, including co-chairing the Ontario Maternity Care Expert Panel, Ontario Women’s Health Council from 2004-2006.

She holds a PhD in Gender Feminist and Women’s Studies from York University and a Master from the Faculty of Environmental Studies at York University.

In 2014, Vicki received a lifetime achievement award from the Ontario Association of Midwives. She is a practicing midwife and a founding member of the Midwives collective of Toronto.

• 2013 – Co-authored a comparative published study on midwifery outcomes in four practices in Toronto.

• 2012 – Looked at outcomes of perinatal care the Inuulitsivik Health Centre in Northern, Quebec.

• 2004 – Examined the debate on Caesarean Section on demand.

• May 2014 – Association of Ontario Midwives Lifetime Achievement Award.
• 2013 – Finalist Health Nexus Award
• Nov. 2012 –Best Educational Paper Award. Canadian Journal of Midwifery Research and Practice.
• 2011 – Ryerson Teaching Award.

• Consultant to the College of Midwives of Manitoba (with E. Allemang). Comparative Analysis: Kanaci otinawawasowin Bachelor of Midwifery Program 2010-2014 Curriculum & Core Competencies. November 2013 – March 2014.
• Consultant to the Government of the NWT. Midwifery Program Review and Expansion Analysis. December 2013- February 2013 and September 2011-February 2012.
• Member SOGC Clinical Practice Guideline Committee. Health Professionals Working with Aboriginal People 2012.
• Member Association of Ontario Midwives Clinical Practice Guideline Committee. 2009-present.
• Member Provincial Advisory Committee on Maternal and Newborn Health. 2009-present.
• Member of Program Review Team for Aboriginal Midwifery Education Programme (AMEP), Manitoba,  and interviewer for first faculty members. May 2006.
• Member University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine Primary Maternity Care Conference Planning Committee. 2001-present.

Refereed Journals:

• Van Wagner V, Sharpe M, Rogers J, Brandeis E, Levy A, Sarkar T, Lynch B, Dennis K, Klein L, Robertson J. Perinatal Outcomes for Four Toronto Midwifery Practices:Exploring Best Practices for Normal Birth. Canadian Journal of Midwifery Research and Practice. Accepted for publication Vol 12, No.3, Fall 2013.
• Epoo B, Stonier J, Van Wagner V, Harney E. Learning Midwifery in Nunavik. Pimatisawin: A Journal of Aboriginal and Indigenous Community Health. 2012. 10:3.
• Van Wagner V, Osepchook C, Harney E, Crosbie C, Tulugak M. Remote Midwifery in Nunavik Quebec, Canada: Outcomes of Perinatal Care 2000-2007 for the Inuulitsivik Health Centre. Birth. September 2012; 39:3.
• Van Wagner V, Chu H. Using Simple Simulation to Teach Midwifery Skills. Canadian Journal of Midwifery Research and Practice. Winter 2012; 11(1): 20-34.
• Van Wagner V, Epoo B, Nastapoka J, Harney E. Reclaiming birth, health, and community: midwifery in the Inuit villages of Nunavik, Canada. Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health. 2007 July-August; 52(4):384-91.
• Tedford Gold S, O’Neill J, Van Wagner V. The community as provider: collaboration and community ownership in northern maternity care. Canadian Journal of Midwifery Research and Practice. 2006 Winter; (6)2: 5-17.
• Van Wagner V. Thinking Through the Debate about Cesarean Section on Demand.  Canadian Journal of Midwifery Research and Practice. 2004 Spring; 3(1).
• Van Wagner V. How Midwifery Will Fit Into Ontario's Health Care System. Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Women's Health. 1993; Summer.

Books and Book Chapters:

• Van Wagner V. Reconsidering Evidence: Evidence Based Practice and Maternity Care in Canada. PhD dissertation York University (online). 2013. (book proposal solicited by Queen’s University Press).
• Medves J, Natale R, O’Driscoll T, Van Wagner V. Maternity Care in Ontario 2006: Emerging Crisis, Emerging Solutions. Kingston: Queen’s University (online); 2006.
• Van Wagner V. Why Legislation? in Bourgeault I, Benoit C, Davis-Flloyd R (eds).  Reconceiving Midwifery. McGill Queens University Press; 2004.
• Rochon Ford A, Van Wagner V. Access to Midwifery in Bourgeault I, Benoit C, Davis-Flloyd R (eds). Reconceiving Midwifery. McGill Queens University Press. 2004.
• Van Wagner V. Forward to Knox S, Hawkins M. The Midwifery Option: A Canadian mother’s guide to the birth experience. Toronto: Harcourt Brace. 2003.
• Van Wagner V. Contemporary Midwifery, in Burfoot A (ed). Encyclopedia of Reproductive Technologies. New York: Garland Publishing. 1999.

Conference Presentations:

Papers in refereed conference proceedings:

• Van Wagner V. Doing Risk Talk: Using Evidence Without Creating Fear. International Confederation of Midwives 30th Triennial Congress. Prague. June 2014.
• Darling L, Van Wagner V. Using Data to promote high quality midwifery care: the use of standardized midwifery reports by practicing midwives. International Confederation of Midwives 30th Triennial Congress. Prague. June 2014.
• Van Wagner V, Darling L. Defining Normal Birth. Canadian Association of Midwives. Ottawa. November 14.
• Van Wagner V, Kilroy K. Midwifery Care for Birth Outside of the Hospital: Facts Biases and Liabilities. Osgoode Certificate in Clinical Risk Syllabus. Osgoode Hall Law School, York University Toronto. February 2014.
• Van Wagner V, Meffe F, Biringer A, Caccia N, Espin S, Sharpe M, Moravac C. Conflict and Change: The Transformative Impact of Interprofessional Education on Maternity Care Students and Educators. Proceedings of the International Confederation of Midwives 29th Triennial congress. Durban South Africa. June 21, 2011.
• Harney E, Van Wagner V. Remote Midwifery in Nunavik: Perinatal Outcomes 2000-2007. International Congress of Circumpolar Health. Yellowknife, NWT. July 11-16, 2009 (presented by E Harney).
• Biringer A, Tobin S, Carroll J, Medves J, Boutilier-Dean M, Oandasan I, Thomas J, Van Wagner V. The effect of a problematic learning environment on recruitment and satisfaction among tomorrow’s maternity care providers: voices of medical and midwifery learners”. Family Medicine Volume 40 Supplement 1 National Association of Primary Care Researchers. January 2008.
• Van Wagner V, Epoo B, Nastapoka, J. Bringing Birth Back to the Community: Midwifery in the Inuit villages of Nunavik (Invited Keynote) and Reconsidering Evidence Based Practice: Science, Politics and Choice International Confederation of Midwives Proceedings 27th Congress, Brisbane, Australia. July 2005.
• Fleming A, Van Wagner V. Adjustment in First Time Mothers. Developmental Psychology. 1990. 26:1.
• Van Wagner V. Women Organizing for Midwifery. Feminist Perspectives on the Canadian State. Resources for Feminist Research. September 1988. 17:3.
• Van Wagner V. Women in Literature: A Model Curriculum. The Ontario Council of Teachers of English publication: indirections. June 1985. Vol.10, no.2.
• Van Wagner V, Rietkoetter S, Kivinen J, Rappaport-Beck R, Burton N. Continuity: Contradiction or Co-relation. Association of Ontario Midwives 23rd Conference. May 2014.
• Van Wagner V, Darling L. Can Measuring Normal Birth Help Keep Birth Normal. BORN Provincial Rounds. March 20, 14.
• Van Wagner V. Global Health Solutions in Canada's Fourth World: Midwifery in Nunavik Quebec. University of Toronto Hospital for Sick Children. February 2012. Toronto, Ontario. Invited plenary.
• Caccia N, Lynch B, Van Wagner V. Refinement and Expansion of a Curriculum to Teach Management of Obstetrical Lacerations and Suturing Skills to Undergraduate/Early Postgraduate Maternity Care Learners. Association of Academic Professionals in Obstetrics and Gynecology. APOG. December 3, 2011.
• Van Wagner V. The Inuulitsivik Midwifery Service in Nunavik Quebec. University of Toronto Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Development Day. Invited Plenary. Toronto, Ontario. October 26, 2011.
• Van Wagner V. Delivering Change: Midwives and the Excellent Care for All Act. Association of Ontario Midwives 27th Annual Conference. Invited Plenary. Hamilton, Ontario. May 18, 2011.
• Van Wagner V, Osepchook C and Harney E. Midwifery in Nunavik. 2nd Biennial First Nations, Inuit and Metis Health Research Meeting. Ottawa, Ontario. May 13, 2011.
• Tulugak M, Tulugak H and Van Wagner V. Keynote presentation. 3rd Biennial Breathing New Life into Maternity Care Conference, ACM, RANZOG and ACRRM. Alice Springs Australia. July 2011.
• Tulugak M, Tulugak H and Van Wagner V. Birthing on Country. Queensland Health. July 7, 2011.
• Van Wagner V. Reinterpreting Evidence in the Direction of Normal. Clinical Practice Guidelines Methodology Workshop, Association of Ontario Midwives. September 30, 2010.
• Van Wagner V. Maternal and Newborn Care: Meeting community needs and integrating midwives. Ontario Hospital Association. September 28, 2010.
• Van Wagner V. Claiming Power in the Hospital: Supporting Midwifery Autonomy in all Birth Places. Canadian Association of Midwives October 8, 2010.
• Van Wagner V. Perspectives on the Safety of Homebirth. Panel Chair. Canadian Association of Midwives. October 7, 2010.
• Van Wagner V. Using Evidence in Your Advocacy Efforts. Association of Ontario Midwives’ Leadership Day. Burlington, Ontario; October 22, 2010 and Barrie, Ontario; November 5, 2010.
• Caccia N, Van Wagner V. Development and Evaluation of a Curriculum to Teach Management of Obstetrical Lacerations and Suturing Skills to Undergraduate Midwifery Students. Association of Academic Professionals in Obstetrics and Gynecology. December 4, 2010.
• Van Wagner V. Midwifery Care for Birth Outside of the Hospital: Facts Biases and Liabilities –Managing Risk in Maternity Care, Osgoode Certificate in Clinical Risk Negligence and Claims in Management in Health Care. Osgoode Hall Law School, York University. Toronto, Ontario. January 27, 2011.
• Van Wagner V, Sharpe M, Klein L, Robertson J. Perinatal Outcomes at Three Toronto Midwifery Practices. Association of Ontario Midwives 26th Annual Conference: Diversity in Action. Niagara Falls, Ontario. May 6, 2010.
• Caccia N, Espin S, Sharpe M, Van Wagner V. A Maternity Care Inter-professional Education Pilot Program: Reflections of Nursing, Midwifery, Medical Students and Faculty. Association of Ontario Midwives 26th Annual Conference. Niagara Falls, Ontario. May 6, 2010.
• Van Wagner V, Sharpe M, Klein L, Robertson J. Perinatal Outcomes at Three Toronto Midwifery Practices. Canadian Association of Midwives 9th Annual Conference. Winnipeg, Manitoba. November 5, 2009.
• Van Wagner V. Where is Canadian Midwifery Going? Canadian Association of Midwives 9th Annual Conference. Winnipeg, Manitoba. November 6, 2009.
• Van Wagner V, Osepchook C. Birth Close to Home: Is Birth in Remote Communities Safe? Association of Ontario Midwives. Toronto, Ontario. May 2008.
• Van Wagner V, Osepchook C. Perinatal Outcomes in a Remote Birth Centre in Northern Quebec. Grand Rounds, Mount Sinai Hospital. Toronto, Ontario. November 2008.
• Van Wagner V, Osepchook C, Harney E. Birth Outcomes for the Inuulitsivik Midwifery Service in Nunavik Quebec. The Canadian Association of Midwives Annual Conference. Quebec City, Quebec. November 2008.
• Van Wagner V. Growing Midwifery: What Expansion Means for Ontario Midwives. Association of Ontario Midwives Annual Conference. Toronto, Ontario. May 2008.
• Van Wagner V. Perceptions of Birth: The Challenge of Public Education and Popular and Professional Culture. Cesearean Birth in BC - Trends, Perspectives and Future Strategies. Vancouver, British Columbia. January 2008.
• Van Wagner V, Epoo B. Birth in remote communities: Learning about Normal Birth from the Nunavik experience. Collaboration for Maternal and Infant Health. Vancouver, British Columbia. May 6, 2006.
• Van Wagner V. Evidence Based Practice: the Impact on Normal Birth. Invited keynote Collaboration for Maternal and Infant Health. Vancouver, British Columbia. May 5, 2006.
• Medves J, Natale R, O’Driscoll T, Van Wagner V. Recommendations of the Ontario Maternity Care Expert Panel. Primary Care Transition Fund Maternity Care Project Research team Consensus Meeting. May 15, 2006.
• Biringer A, Tobin S, Carroll J, Medves J, Boutilier-Dean M, Oandasan I, Thomas J, Van Wagner V. Can’t Wait: Development of Collaborative Models. Maternity Care Project Research team Consensus Meeting. May 15, 2006.
• Tedford Gold S, O’Neill J, Van Wagner V (presented by S Tedford Gold). Building community capacity through collaborative research – the case of Northern maternity care. Aboriginal Policy Research Conference. March 21-23, 2006.
• Van Wagner V. Are we Intervening too Much? Birth in remote communities: the example of Nunavik, Quebec. Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada Annual Clinical Meeting, Quebec City, Quebec. June 18, 2005.
• Van Wagner V. Are we Intervening too Much? Caregivers Talk about “Risk” in Maternity Care. Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada Annual Clinical Meeting. Quebec City, Quebec. June 18, 2005.
• Van Wagner V. Evidence Based Practice: the Impact on Normal Birth. Canadian Association of Midwives annual Conference Midwives in the Balance: Partnership and Practice for Normal Birth Halifax, Nova Scotia. November 10, 2005.
• Van Wagner V. Reconsidering Evidence based Practice. Keynote address Association of Women’s Health Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) 16th Conference, Montreal, Quebec. November 17, 2005.
• Van Wagner V. Evidence based practice: Exploring underneath the science. Canadian Cochrane Symposium. Montreal, Quebec. December 3, 2005.
• Tedford Gold S, O’Neill J, Van Wagner V (presented by S Tedford Gold). Seeking sustainability: the role of collaboration in addressing the crisis in northern maternity care. American Anthropology Association. November 26.
• Medves J, Natale R, O’Driscoll T, Van Wagner V. Ontario Maternity Care Expert Panel Ontario. Hospital Association Conference. Toronto, Ontario. November 1, 2005 Co- author and presenter.
• Van Wagner V, Nastapoka J. Reaching Across Continents to Bring Birth Back to Aboriginal Communities. Alice Springs Hospital, Alice Springs, Australia and at the Alukara Birth Centre. August 2 and 3, 2005.
• Van Wagner V, Epoo B. Midwifery in Nunavik: Implications for Northern Health Research. 6th conference of the Canadian Rural Health Research Society and 1st Conference Canadian Society for Circumpolar Health. October 29, 2005.