NCC Volunteers inducted into the Inaugural Class of AWHONN Fellows
June 23, 2023
Chicago, IL – June 2023 – The National Certification Corporation (NCC) is pleased to announce the induction of NCC volunteers Tonnyann Swinton, DNP, RNC-OB, C-EFM, C-ONQS, NPD-BC, Cyndy Krening, MS, RNC-OB, C-EFM and Carol Burke, MSN, APRN/CNS, RNC-OB, C-EFM, into the inaugural group of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) Fellows.
The Fellow of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (FAWHONN) recognizes nurse leaders who have made substantive and sustained contributions to the health of women and newborns beyond the expectations of their role. They have demonstrated outstanding contributions to clinical practice, research, education, advocacy, or policy at the regional, national, or global level that is reflective of AWHONN’s mission and vision. Becoming an AWHONN Fellow demonstrates a commitment to the profession and to the highest standards of nursing care in the specialty of women’s health, obstetric, or neonatal nursing.
Ms. Swinton currently serves as the Secretary-Treasurer on the NCC Board of Directors and as a team member on the Obstetric Nursing Content Exam.
Ms. Swinton is passionate about clinical competency and professional development, patient safety, and evidence-based practice to enhance or design education initiatives. Her professional and personal values align well with NCC’s vision of a healthcare system transformed by professionals who are certified. She has maintained her multiple certifications with integrity since earning her first certification in 2004.
Ms. Swinton holds a DNP, BSN and master’s degree. Over the past 26 years, she has practiced in a wide variety of clinical environments ranging from low risk to high-risk obstetric academic medical centers. She is currently the Vice President for Clinical Education supporting St. David’s and HCA Healthcare leading a team of more than 50 clinical educators across nine hospitals in central and west Texas. She also influences the profession of nursing by working on national committees in a number of volunteer capacities.
Ms. Krening currently serves as a Director on the NCC Board of Directors and as a content team member for the Electronic Fetal Monitoring Exam. She has also served on the content team for the Inpatient Obstetric Nursing Exam.
Ms. Krening promotes evidence-based care of perinatal patients and is passionate about certification, as it elevates clinical practice through validation of specialty knowledge. She has maintained her certifications with integrity since earning her first certification in 1988.
Ms. Krening holds a BSN and a master’s degree as a perinatal clinical nurse specialist. She has worked in the inpatient obstetric setting for 41 years in both tertiary teaching, and community hospitals as an L&D staff nurse, charge nurse, manager, outreach coordinator, high-risk OB flight nurse and perinatal clinical nurse specialist. Her current position is as a perinatal CNS at Saint Joseph Hospital, a large, busy teaching hospital in urban Denver.
Ms. Krening has been active in AWHONN both locally and nationally for many of the 38 years she’s been a member, serving on the national education, practice, public policy and section advisory committees, as the Colorado section chair, and two terms on the national Board of Directors and was the AWHONN 2021 President. She has contributed to AWHONN publications, position statements and books, and has been a speaker at many AWHONN state conferences and annual conventions. Ms. Krening is published, on the editorial board of The Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing and has served on the Colorado Maternal Mortality committee for over 20 years.
Ms. Burke has served on both the content team and job analysis team for the Inpatient Obstetric Nursing Exam. She has maintained her certifications with integrity since earning her first certification in 1986.
Ms. Burke holds a master’s degree, APRN, Certificate in Nurse Midwifery and Certificate in Nursing Administration. She has extensive clinical, administrative, and educational background in both low risk and high risk, culturally diverse perinatal populations. She has worked as a perinatal clinical nurse specialist in maternal and neonate settings for over 45 years in both teaching and community hospitals and as a Midwife since 1999.
Ms. Burke has been active in AWHONN both locally and nationally for 39 years. She has served two terms on the National Board of Directors as Secretary/Treasurer and Director, Section advisory committee, 9th Edition of Standards for Professional Nursing Practice and the Science Team Leader of Perioperative Care of the Pregnant Patient. Other service includes March of Dimes Perinatal Nursing Advisory Committee, American College of Nurse-Midwives, and ACOG/AIM workgroup to develop the Obstetric Sepsis Bundle. Ms. Burke is published and has contributed to several research activities and frequently appears at national and section conferences and webinars. Ms. Burke has been honored by the March of Dimes as the Jonas Salk Nurse of the Year and Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago as APN of the year.
NCC is proud of all they have achieved and their commitment to National Volunteer work. Their dedication, advocacy, and passion will continue to enhance obstetric and neonatal nursing and improve patient outcomes.
NCC is a non-profit organization committed to promoting quality health care to women, neonates and their families. NCC provides credentialing, recognition and educational programs for nurses, physicians and other licensed health professionals in the obstetric, gynecologic, women’s health and neonatal specialties. More than 207,000 licensed health care professionals have been awarded prestigious NCC credentials since its inception in 1975.