Susanna R. Cohen

Susanna R. Cohen, DNP, CNM/ MSN

Languages spoken: English, Spanish
Schedule an Appointment

  • Susanna Cohen is a Doctorally prepared board Certified Nurse Midwife who joined the faculty at the University of Utah College of Nursing in 2007. She practices as a midwife in the BirthCare HealthCare (BCHC) Faculty Practice, sharing her time between the Madsen Women’s Clinic and the University Medical Center and Labor and Delivery. Susanna received her Masters' of Science with a Minor in Nursing Education from the University of California, San Francisco and completed her clinical training at San Francisco General Hospital and UC San Diego Medical Center. She also holds a BS in Community and Regional Development from the University of California, Davis where she received the Mary Regan Meyer Prize, a University-wide award for Academic Excellence and Community Service. Susanna completing her Doctorate in Nursing Practice at the University of Utah, where her scholarly work centered around sustainable simulation and team training in low-resource settings internationally. Susanna is a founding member of PRONTO International, and NGO which provides interprofessional obstetric and neonatal simulation training in Kenya, Guatemala, India and throughout Mexico. Before coming to Utah Susanna trained in Mexico in Mayan midwifery and herbal medicine from a traditional midwife, and currently uses the Rebozo technique she learned there to offer pain relief during labor and to encourage babies to get into the optimal position for birth. In 2018 Susanna was inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nurisng (FAAN), the highest honor in academic nursing. Susanna believes in an integrated and holistic approach to Women's health and encourages women to play an active role in their care.

    Susanna actively uses MyChart to enhance communication with her patients. She is part of BirthCare HealthCare (BCHC) the University’s premier midwifery practice. BirthCare HealthCare nurse midwives are experts in pregnancy and childbirth. Your birth experience is important to us. We take the time to provide you with the best care throughout your pregnancy, birth and into early motherhood. Our goal is to help you have a healthy pregnancy and birth with individualized attention and respectful care. BCHC nurse midwives have amazing statistics - such as an overall Cesarean Section rate of less than 10% annually for greater than 10 years, as compared to a national average of 33%. A less than 4% episiotomy rate and a very high success rate for Vaginal Birth after Cesarean (VBAC) deliveries. Dr. Cohen offers prenatal care through the University of Utah Health Virtual Prenatal Care Program, which provides convenient and personalized prenatal care to low-risk pregnancies.

    Specialties

  • Susanna Cohen is a Doctorally prepared board Certified Nurse Midwife who joined the faculty at the University of Utah College of Nursing in 2007. She practices as a midwife in the BirthCare HealthCare (BCHC) Faculty Practice, sharing her time between the Madsen Women’s Clinic and the University Medical Center and Labor and Delivery. Susanna received her Masters' of Science with a Minor in Nursing Education from the University of California, San Francisco and completed her clinical training at San Francisco General Hospital and UC San Diego Medical Center. She also holds a BS in Community and Regional Development from the University of California, Davis where she received the Mary Regan Meyer Prize, a University-wide award for Academic Excellence and Community Service. Susanna completing her Doctorate in Nursing Practice at the University of Utah, where her scholarly work centered around sustainable simulation and team training in low-resource settings internationally. Susanna is a founding member of PRONTO International, and NGO which provides interprofessional obstetric and neonatal simulation training in Kenya, Guatemala, India and throughout Mexico. Before coming to Utah Susanna trained in Mexico in Mayan midwifery and herbal medicine from a traditional midwife, and currently uses the Rebozo technique she learned there to offer pain relief during labor and to encourage babies to get into the optimal position for birth. In 2018 Susanna was inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nurisng (FAAN), the highest honor in academic nursing. Susanna believes in an integrated and holistic approach to Women's health and encourages women to play an active role in their care.

    Susanna actively uses MyChart to enhance communication with her patients. She is part of BirthCare HealthCare (BCHC) the University’s premier midwifery practice. BirthCare HealthCare nurse midwives are experts in pregnancy and childbirth. Your birth experience is important to us. We take the time to provide you with the best care throughout your pregnancy, birth and into early motherhood. Our goal is to help you have a healthy pregnancy and birth with individualized attention and respectful care. BCHC nurse midwives have amazing statistics - such as an overall Cesarean Section rate of less than 10% annually for greater than 10 years, as compared to a national average of 33%. A less than 4% episiotomy rate and a very high success rate for Vaginal Birth after Cesarean (VBAC) deliveries. Dr. Cohen offers prenatal care through the University of Utah Health Virtual Prenatal Care Program, which provides convenient and personalized prenatal care to low-risk pregnancies.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Obstetrics & Gynecology -Primary

    Education history

    Doctoral Training Nursing - University of Utah DNP
    Nurse Midwifery - University of California - San Francisco M.S.N.
    Professional Nursing Nursing - University of California - San Francisco R.N.
    University of California - Davis B.S.

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Gero A, Elliott S, Baayd J, Cohen S, Simmons RG, Gawron LM (2024). Factors associated with a negative Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) response with intrauterine device placement: A retrospective survey of HER Salt Lake participants. Contraception, 133, 110385. (Read full article)
    2. Hanson OR, Weglarz AJ, Barabara ML, Cohen SR, Minja LM, Mlay PS, Stephens MJ, Olomi GA, Mlay J, Mmbaga BT, Watt MH (2024). HIV-related Shame among Women Giving Birth in Tanzania: A Mixed Methods Study. AIDS Behav. (Read full article)
    3. Watt MH, Marchand V, Barabara ML, Minja LM, Stephens MJ, Hanson OR, Mlay PS, Olomi GA, Kiwia JF, Mmbaga BT, Cohen SR (2024). Outcomes of the MAMA Training: A Simulation and Experiential Learning Intervention for Labor and Delivery Providers to Improve Respectful Maternity Care for Women Living with HIV in Tanzania. AIDS Behav. (Read full article)
    4. Ghosh R, Cohen SR, Subramaniam N, Handu S, Vincent D, Lloyd M, Thorn K, Harris HB, Jenny A, Walker D (2023). A comic based interactive digital intervention to enhance facilitation skills of nurse mentors in public facilities - results of a pilot intervention in Bihar, India. Glob Health Action, 16(1), 2185365. (Read full article)
    5. Barabara ML, Cohen SR, Masenga G, Minja LM, Mlay PS, Stephens MJ, Olomi GA, Mlay J, Marchand V, Weglarz A, Hanson O, Mmbaga BT, Watt MH (2023). Factors associated with respectful maternity care and influence of HIV status among women giving birth in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Birth. (Read full article)
    6. Baayd J, Lloyd M, Garcia G, Smith S, Sylvester H, Clark E, Cross B, Gero A, Cohen S (2023). Catalyzing Collaboration Among Interprofessional Birth Transfer Teams Through Simulation. J Midwifery Womens Health, 68(4), 458-465. (Read full article)
    7. Watt MH, Minja LM, Barabara M, Mlay P, Stephens MJ, Olomi G, Mlay J, Marchand V, Mmbaga BT, Hanson OR, Cohen SR (2023). A simulation and experiential learning intervention for labor and delivery providers to address HIV stigma during childbirth in Tanzania: study protocol for the evaluation of the MAMA intervention. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 23(1), 181. (Read full article)
    8. Baayd J, Heins Z, Walker D, Afulani P, Sterling M, Sanders JN, Cohen S (2023). Context Matters: Factors Affecting Implementation of Simulation Training in Nursing and Midwifery Schools in North America, Africa and Asia. Clin Simul Nurs, 75, 1-10. (Read full article)
    9. Madriz S, Afulani P, Spindler H, Ghosh R, Subramaniam N, Mahapatra T, Das A, Sonthalia S, Gore A, Cohen SR, Handu S, Walker D (2022). Training nurse simulation educators at scale to improve maternal and newborn health: a case study from Bihar, India. BMC Med Educ, 22(1), 869. (Read full article)
    10. Simmons RG, Baayd J, Elliott S, Cohen SR, Turok DK (2022). Improving access to highly effective emergency contraception: an assessment of barriers and facilitators to integrating the levonorgestrel IUD as emergency contraception using two applications of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Implement Sci Commun, 3(1), 129. (Read full article)
    11. Cohen SR, Baayd J, Garca G, Quade C, Gero A, Ekey M, Poggio C, Simmons R (2022). Facility-based simulation as a programmatic tool for implementing a statewide contraceptive initiative. BMC Health Serv Res, 22(1), 965. (Read full article)
    12. Ghosh R, Cohen S, Spindler H, Vincent D, Sterling M, Das A, Gore A, Mahapatra T, Walker D (2022). Simulation and nurse-mentoring in a statewide nurse mentoring program in Bihar, India: diagnosis of postpartum hemorrhage and intrapartum asphyxia. Gates Open Res, 6, 70. (Read full article)
    13. Kalra A, Siju M, Jenny A, Spindler H, Madriz S, Baayd J, Handu S, Ghosh R, Cohen S, Walker D (2022). Super Divya to the rescue! Exploring Nurse Mentor Supervisor perceptions on a digital tool to support learning and engagement for simulation educators in Bihar, India. BMC Med Educ, 22(1), 206. (Read full article)
    14. Kalra A, Subramaniam N, Longkumer O, Siju M, Jose LS, Srivastava R, Lin S, Handu S, Murugesan S, Lloyd M, Madriz S, Jenny A, Thorn K, Calkins K, Breeze-Harris H, Cohen SR, Ghosh R, Walker D (2022). Super Divya, an Interactive Digital Storytelling Instructional Comic Series to Sustain Facilitation Skills of Labor and Delivery Nurse Mentors in Bihar, India-A Pilot Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 19(5). (Read full article)
    15. Ghosh R, Spindler H, Dyer J, Christmas A, Cohen SR, Das A, Sonthalia S, Mahapatra T, Gore A, Shah H, Walker DM (2020). Simulation and team training embedded nurse mentoring programme and improvement in intrapartum and newborn care in a low-resource setting in Bihar, India. J Glob Health, 10(2), 021010. (Read full article)
    16. Afulani PA, Dyer J, Calkins K, Aborigo RA, Mcnally B, Cohen SR (2020). Provider knowledge and perceptions following an integrated simulation training on emergency obstetric and neonatal care and respectful maternity care: A mixed-methods study in Ghana. Midwifery, 85, 102667. (Read full article)
    17. Higgins BV, Medvedev MM, Spindler H, Ghosh R, Longkumer O, Cohen SR, Das A, Gore A, Mahapatra T, Walker DM (2020). Cohort study of neonatal resuscitation skill retention in frontline healthcare facilities in Bihar, India, after PRONTO simulation training. BMJ Paediatr Open, 4(1), e000628. (Read full article)
    18. Raney JH, Medvedev MM, Cohen SR, Spindler H, Ghosh R, Christmas A, Das A, Gore A, Mahapatra T, Walker D (2020). Training and evaluating simulation debriefers in low-resource settings: lessons learned from Bihar, India. BMC Med Educ, 20(1), 9. (Read full article)
    19. Afulani PA, Aborigo RA, Walker D, Moyer CA, Cohen S, Williams J (2019). Can an integrated obstetric emergency simulation training improve respectful maternity care? Results from a pilot study in Ghana. Birth, 46(3), 523-532. (Read full article)
    20. Ghosh R, Spindler H, Morgan MC, Cohen SR, Begum N, Gore A, Mahapatra T, Walker DM (2019). Diagnosis and management of postpartum hemorrhage and intrapartum asphyxia in a quality improvement initiative using nurse-mentoring and simulation in Bihar, India. PLoS One, 14(7), e0216654. (Read full article)
    21. Vail B, Morgan MC, Dyer J, Christmas A, Cohen SR, Joshi M, Gore A, Mahapatra T, Walker DM (2018). Logistical, cultural, and structural barriers to immediate neonatal care and neonatal resuscitation in Bihar, India. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 18(1), 385. (Read full article)
    22. Vail B, Morgan MC, Spindler H, Christmas A, Cohen SR, Walker DM (2018). The power of practice: simulation training improving the quality of neonatal resuscitation skills in Bihar, India. BMC Pediatr, 18(1), 291. (Read full article)
    23. Dyer J, Spindler H, Christmas A, Shah MB, Morgan M, Cohen SR, Sterne J, Mahapatra T, Walker D (2018). Video Monitoring a Simulation-Based Quality Improvement Program in Bihar, India. Clin Simul Nurs, 17, 19-27. (Read full article)
    24. Spindler H, Dyer J, Bagchi K, Ranjan V, Christmas A, Cohen SR, Sterling M, Shah MB, Das A, Mahapatra T, Walker D (2018). Tracking and debriefing birth data at scale: A mobile phone application to improve obstetric and neonatal care in Bihar, India. Nurs Open, 5(3), 267-274. (Read full article)
    25. Dettinger JC, Kamau S, Calkins K, Cohen SR, Cranmer J, Kibore M, Gachuno O, Walker D (2016). Measuring movement towards improved emergency obstetric care in rural Kenya with implementation of the PRONTO simulation and team training program. Matern Child Nutr, 14 Suppl 1(Suppl 1). (Read full article)
    26. Vail B, Spindler H, Morgan MC, Cohen SR, Christmas A, Sah P, Shah MB, Das A, Walker DM (2017). Care of the mother-infant dyad: a novel approach to conducting and evaluating neonatal resuscitation simulation training in Bihar, India. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 17(1), 252. (Read full article)
    27. Fritz J, Walker DM, Cohen S, Angeles G, Lamadrid-Figueroa H (2017). Can a simulation-based training program impact the use of evidence based routine practices at birth? Results of a hospital-based cluster randomized trial in Mexico. PLoS One, 12(3), e0172623. (Read full article)
    28. Walker DM, Cohen SR, Fritz J, Olvera-Garcia M, Zelek ST, Fahey JO, Romero-Martinez M, Montoya-Rodriguez A, Lamadrid-Figueroa H (2016). Impact Evaluation of PRONTO Mexico: A Simulation-Based Program in Obstetric and Neonatal Emergencies and Team Training. Simul Healthc, 11(1), 1-9. (Read full article)
    29. Cohen SR, Thomas CR, Gerard C (2015). The Clinical Learning Dyad Model: An Innovation in Midwifery Education. J Midwifery Womens Health, 60(6), 691-8. (Read full article)
    30. Sreenivas, A, Cohen, S, Magana-Valladares, L, Walker, D (2015). Humanized childbirth and cultural humility: Designing an online couse for maternal health providers in limited-resource settings. Int J Childbirth, 4(5), 188-99.
    31. Cohen SR, Thomas CR (2015). Rebozo Technique for Fetal Malposition in Labor. J Midwifery Womens Health, 60(4), 445-51. (Read full article)
    32. Walker DM, Holme F, Zelek ST, Olvera-Garcia M, Montoya-Rodriguez A, Fritz J, Fahey J, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, Cohen S, Kestler E (2015). A process evaluation of PRONTO simulation training for obstetric and neonatal emergency response teams in Guatemala. BMC Med Educ, 15, 117. (Read full article)
    33. Walker D, Cohen S, Fritz J, Olvera M, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, Cowan JG, Hernandez DG, Dettinger JC, Fahey JO (2014). Team training in obstetric and neonatal emergencies using highly realistic simulation in Mexico: impact on process indicators. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 14, 367. (Read full article)
    34. Fahey JO, Cohen SR, Holme F, Buttrick ES, Dettinger JC, Kestler E, Walker DM (2013). Promoting cultural humility during labor and birth: putting theory into action during PRONTO obstetric and neonatal emergency training. J Perinat Neonatal Nurs, 27(1), 36-42. (Read full article)
    35. Cohen, SR, Walker DM, Wong, B, Cragin, L (2012). Self-efficacy change with low-tech, high-fidelity obstetrical simulation training for midwives and nurses in Mexico. Clin Simul Nurs, 8(1), 15-24.
    36. Walker DM, Cohen SR, Estrada F, Monterroso ME, Jenny A, Fritz J, Fahey JO (2012). PRONTO training for obstetric and neonatal emergencies in Mexico. Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 116(2), 128-33. (Read full article)
    37. Cohen, SR, Cragin, L, Risk, M, Hanberg, A, Walker, DM (2011). PartoPantsTM: The High Fidelity, Low-Tech Birth Simulator. Clin Simul Nurs, 7(1), e11-18.

    Book Chapter

    1. Williams, D, Cohen, S, Thomas, C (2013). Professional Midwifery Today. In King, T., Brucker, M., Kriebs, J., Fahey, J. (Eds.), Varney's Midwifery (5th). Burlington: Jones and Bartlett.

    Abstract

    1. Cohen, S, Fahey, J, Walker, D (2014). PRONTO: Obstetric and neonatal emergency simulation in Mexico improves patient outcomes, provider knowledge, team coordination, and identifies latent systems errors. [Abstract]. Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, 59(5).
    2. Walker D, Cohen S, Fritz J, Olvera M, Lamadrid H, Carranza L (2014). PRONTO Low-Tech Obstetric Simulation and Team-Training for Obstetric and Neonatal Emergencies in Mexico Leads to a Decrease in Cesarean Delivery Rates. [Abstract]. Obstet Gynecol, 123 Suppl 1, 177S. (Read full article)
    3. Walker D, Fritz J, Olvera M, Lamadrid H, Cohen S, Fahey J (2014). PRONTO Low-Tech Obstetric Simulation and Team Training in Mexico Improves Patient Outcomes, and Evidence-Based Care at Birth. [Abstract]. Obstet Gynecol, 123 Suppl 1, 176S-7S. (Read full article)

    Patent

    1. Cohen, S. R., Walker, D., Fahey, J., Calkins, K. (2013). PRONTOPACKTM, Self-contained birth simulation training kit. PRONTO International, Seattle, WA. Available at http://prontointernational.org/our-resources/simulation-supplies/about-prontopack/.
    2. Cohen, S.R., Cragin, L., Rizk, M., Walker, D. (2008). PartoPantsTM BIRTH SIMULATOR, hybrid birth simulator, PRONTO International, Seattle, WA. Available at http://prontointernational.org/partopants-birth-simulator-2/.

  • News & Podcasts