Cara Ann Busenhart

Cara Ann Busenhart serves as a Clinical Professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Arizona and is a member of the Graduate Faculty. Her career centers on advancing maternal-newborn health through clinical practice, education, and policy advocacy.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Nursing Health Professions Education from the University of Kansas (2014)
• M.S.N. in Nursing from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (2004)
• Nurse-Midwifery Certificate from the University of Kansas (2004)
• B.S.N. in Nursing from Truman State University (1998)

Dr. Busenhart's research and teaching focus on optimizing nurse-midwifery practice through competency-based frameworks, interprofessional collaboration, and rural workforce development. She champions evidence-based approaches to expand access to quality perinatal care, particularly in underserved communities, while addressing systemic barriers in maternal healthcare delivery.

Her exceptional contributions are recognized through prestigious national fellowships:

• Fellow of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (FACNM)
• Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN)

As co-host of The EngagED Midwife podcast and co-founder of DeliverED Exam Prep, she drives professional development initiatives while leading grant-funded projects to strengthen rural health infrastructure. Her policy advocacy ensures nurse-midwives practice to the full scope of their training, influencing state and national perinatal care standards.