Nancy A. Niemczyk

Dr. Nancy A. Niemczyk serves as Assistant Professor and Nurse-Midwife Program Coordinator in the Health Promotion & Development department at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. With over 20 years of leadership in southwest Pennsylvania midwifery, she founded Allegheny General Hospital's freestanding birth center and established the Midwife Center for Birth and Women’s Health—now the nation's largest accredited freestanding birth center. Her clinical experience spans hospitals, birth centers, homes, and correctional facilities including Allegheny County Jail.

Her research examines labor dynamics across hospital and community settings with specialized focus on systemic barriers affecting midwives caring for families experiencing perinatal opioid use disorder. This work directly informs her advocacy for equitable birth options and maternal health policy reform.

Awards & Recognition

• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Dozen Who Make a Difference
• Fellow of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (FACNM)

Dr. Niemczyk teaches full-scope midwifery across nursing, nurse-practitioner, medical student, and residency curricula including the Forbes Family Practice Residency Program. Her service leadership includes serving as Associate Editor for the Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health and Chair of the American Association of Birth Centers Research Committee.

She recently completed a six-year tenure on the PA Maternal Mortality Review Committee (2018-2024) while maintaining active roles on the Midwife Center Medical Advisory Committee and directing current research addressing opioid-related care barriers.