The Wisconsin Association for Perinatal Care (WAPC) proudly recognizes Lisa Hanson, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, as she celebrates her well-earned retirement.

Lisa’s journey with WAPC began in 1982 as a perinatal registered nurse at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in Milwaukee while pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse-midwife. Over the past four decades, she has been an engaged and dedicated member of WAPC, sharing her expertise as a frequent conference presenter, serving on and chairing numerous committees, and providing leadership as a member of the Boards of Directors of both WAPC and the WAPC Perinatal Foundation.

Dr. Hanson has built an extraordinary career as a midwife, educator, researcher, author, and mentor, leaving a lasting impact on maternal and infant health and the midwifery profession. In 1993, she helped establish the Midwifery Program at Marquette University, where she has educated and mentored generations of midwives and nurse leaders. She served as the Klein Endowed Professor in the Marquette University College of Nursing and was recently honored with the title of Professor Emerita. In addition, she provided compassionate, evidence-based care for 29 years as a Certified Nurse-Midwife at Aurora Sinai Midwifery & Wellness Center in Milwaukee, a practice she helped establish.

An accomplished researcher and scholar, Dr. Hanson has dedicated her career to improving pregnancy outcomes through evidence-based care. Her work includes leading clinical trials investigating probiotic interventions to reduce Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization during pregnancy, contributing important knowledge to the field of perinatal care. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, and is co-editor and co-author of the Simkin’s Labor Progress Handbook.

Whether in the classroom, the clinic, the research setting, or through her decades of service to WAPC, Dr. Hanson has inspired colleagues, students, and families across Wisconsin and beyond. Her unwavering commitment to excellence, leadership, and advancing maternal and infant health has strengthened our profession and will continue to influence future generations.

Please join WAPC in congratulating Dr. Lisa Hanson on her retirement and thanking her for her extraordinary service, leadership, and dedication. We are deeply grateful for her many contributions and wish her every happiness and fulfillment in this exciting new chapter.

-Micaela Berry-Smith, Board President, Wisconsin Association for Perinatal Care