LEWISTON —Susan D. Jacoby, a certified nurse-midwife who practices with Central Maine Obstetrics-Gynecology in Lewiston, has been awarded a doctor of nursing practice degree from the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions.

Jacoby’s capstone project (similar to a dissertation) was “Certified Nurse Midwives’ Obstetrical Management of Women with Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting.” Her research analyzed a clinical quality assurance issue encountered in her practice. She researched the problem, and proposed an evidence-based solution for a best-practice approach to caring for patients with female genital mutilation/cutting, a practice common among some African cultures.

As part of her project, she invited midwives from throughout Maine to an all-day educational session to teach culturally appropriate perinatal care for women with FGM/C. The session explored the cultural, ethical, political, and social justice issues facing immigrant women in Maine. The session also included a workshop incorporating simulation models on the use of simple surgical techniques to assist midwives caring for women with FGM/C.

Jacoby earned her associate degree in nursing from Oklahoma City Community College in Oklahoma City before attaining her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing at Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Ore.

She is certified by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.