Nurses Mourn Midwife and Leader Dr. Janell Green Smith, Who Died After Childbirth
- Janell Green-Smith was a certified nurse-midwife and DNP who dedicated her career to improving maternity care and patient safety.
- She died following complications after the birth of her first child. The exact cause of her death has not been publicly released as of 1/4/2026.
- CDC data show that maternal complications and deaths occur at higher rates among some racial and ethnic groups, even when income and education are similar. Health systems are working to reduce these gaps through better monitoring, standardized care, and expanded postpartum follow up.
- Her passing has prompted tributes from healthcare professionals and renewed focus on postpartum monitoring and maternal outcomes.
- A GoFundMe has been established to support her husband and newborn daughter as the community honors her legacy.
Dr. Janell Green Smith, a certified nurse midwife and doctor of nursing practice, spent her career working to improve maternal care and reduce complications during pregnancy and childbirth. She was widely respected for her work in community-based maternity care and for training future clinicians in patient-centered, evidence-based practice.
In early 2026, Dr. Green Smith died following complications after the birth of her first child. The exact cause of her death has not been publicly released. Her passing has had a significant impact on colleagues, patients, and nursing organizations across South Carolina and beyond.
Those who worked with her described her as a dedicated clinician and educator who focused on supporting families before, during, and after birth.
A Life Dedicated to Maternal Health
Dr. Green Smith worked at a community birth center in Charleston, where she provided prenatal care, attended births, and mentored students preparing for careers in midwifery and women’s health. Colleagues said she was deeply committed to patient education and helping families understand warning signs during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Dr. Green Smith’s death has been compared to other highly trained healthcare providers who also died following childbirth complications, highlighting ongoing concerns in maternal care and postpartum monitoring.
Ongoing Challenges in Maternal Care
Maternal mortality and severe complications remain an ongoing concern in the United States. Public health data show that a substantial portion of pregnancy-related deaths and injuries could be prevented through earlier intervention, improved communication, and expanded follow-up care after delivery.
Factors contributing to complications include delays in recognizing warning signs, limited access to postpartum services, and variations in care quality between facilities. Conditions such as high blood pressure and pregnancy-related complications like preeclampsia also increase risk when not treated promptly.
Professional organizations have recommended expanding postpartum care, improving clinical training on early detection of complications, and enhancing outcome tracking to identify areas for improvement.
In a statement posted on social media, the American College of Nurse-Midwives posted. "The American College of Nurse-Midwives mourns the devastating death of Dr. Janell Green Smith, CNM, who died from complications of childbirth. Dr. Smith was a respected midwife, scholar, and advocate whose life and work reflected a deep commitment to respectful, evidence-based, and equitable care. That a Black midwife and maternal health expert died after giving birth in the United States is both heartbreaking and unacceptable. Her death underscores the persistent and well-documented reality that Black women—regardless of education, income, or professional expertise—face disproportionate risks during pregnancy and childbirth due to systemic racism and failures in care. We grieve Dr. Smith’s loss and recognize it as a profound failure of the systems meant to protect birthing people. In her honor, ACNM commits not only to reaffirming our values, but to intensifying our actions to dismantle racial inequities in maternal health, strengthen accountability in care systems, and work alongside Black midwives, clinicians, and communities to prevent future tragedies. We extend our deepest condolences to Dr. Smith’s family, loved ones, and the midwifery community. We carry her legacy forward with urgency, humility, and resolve."
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that pregnancy related complications and maternal deaths occur at higher rates among some racial and ethnic groups, even when income and education levels are similar. Differences in access to prenatal care, quality of hospital services, and how symptoms are evaluated and treated are among the factors researchers have identified. Health systems and professional organizations continue to focus on reducing these gaps through improved monitoring, standardized care protocols, and expanded postpartum follow up.
Community Support and Family Assistance
Following Dr. Green Smith’s death, colleagues, professional organizations, and members of the healthcare community have organized efforts to support her family and honor her work. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist her husband and newborn daughter with immediate needs. The funding link is available HERE.
In addition to financial support, nursing and midwifery groups have announced initiatives including scholarships for students pursuing midwifery and community listening sessions focused on improving maternity care.
Healthcare professionals across the country have also shared tributes recognizing Dr. Green Smith’s compassion, leadership, and dedication to safe and respectful birth care. Nurse and healthcare influencer Jen Hamilton posted a message on Instagram honoring Dr. Green Smith and highlighting the importance of listening to patients during pregnancy and postpartum care. Many former patients and colleagues have also shared stories reflecting her impact on their lives and work.
What This Means for Nurses
Dr. Green Smith’s passing has renewed conversations within nursing and midwifery about patient safety, postpartum monitoring, and advocacy. Nurses play a critical role in identifying early signs of complications, listening to patient concerns, and ensuring teams respond quickly when symptoms change.
Professional organizations continue to encourage nurses to participate in quality improvement work, continuing education, and workplace advocacy to strengthen maternal health systems.
Dr. Green Smith’s career reflected the broader role nurses and midwives play in improving outcomes and supporting families during one of the most important times in their lives. Her work continues to influence those she taught and the communities she served.
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