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Current Position:
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- Staff midwife: Austin Area Birthing Center, Inc.
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Previous Poisition:
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- CNM, Juneau Family Birth Center, Juneau, Alaska
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Other Nursing Experience:
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- Oncology and rehabilitation
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Education:
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- Bachelor of Science in Nursing, May 2000 - Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA
- Study abroad, Vaxjo University, Vaxjo, Sweden - Swedish culture, history, language, and literature
- New York University, New York, NY - Masters of Science with focus in Nurse Midwifery
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Credentials and Organizations:
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- BLS/CPR certified
- Neonatal Resuscitation certified
- Perinatal Journal of Education article on bilingual childbirth education
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Jenny Liana arrived in 2007 from Juneau, Alaska. She joined the staff of the Juneau Family Center after receiving her nursing degree and extensive midwifery credentials in Middletown, New Jersey. Of mostly Italian descent and one of twin girls, Liana’s love of family and children began early. " Since my little brother Frank was born, I’ve had a love for babies, and my desire to be around them was always strong. So she began babysitting an 11 month-old when she was only 13 years old, learning to care for the child while the mother was pregnant. "I knew I wanted to do something with babies as a profession from then on."
Babysitting was a rewarding experience for Jennifer. The desire to assist mothers while pregnant, giving birth and afterwards, inspired her to earn a nursing degree in the field of labor and delivery. She received her B.S. in nursing in Pennsylvania, then her nurse midwife certification at New York University, working at both Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
While working at both hospitals, Liana experienced first-hand dramatic birth situations. She was involved in high-risk deliveries including multiple births, pre-term babies, mothers who were diabetic and Preeclampsia-all traumatic deliveries. One of Liana’s most intense work experiences involved a mother diagnosed with Leukemia while pregnant. The mother needed to undergo chemotherapy treatment before her baby was born, "She gave birth after receiving the chemotherapy and ended up in remission before actually going into delivery. The baby went full-term without any problems. Seeing that woman be so grateful for my assistance - and she was beyond grateful - was monumental; I can't say enough about how it feels for a mother to be so grateful. It means everything.”
While working within the medical community as a labor and delivery nurse, Liana realized a need to experience the joys of childbirth in a more natural environment. "I love seeing a smile on a mother's face after experiencing a successful childbirth. Natural childbirth delivery gives me the opportunity to see that often. It's a job that allows me to experience the peace surrounding a relaxed birth setting."
Jennifer's strong enthusiasm for helping mothers in the delivery process continues" Jennifer’s work here as a certified nurse midwife is indispensable. Her credentials along with her naturally caring nature make her an extraordinary asset to the center ," says founder and director of AABC, Jean Stokes.
When she's not working, Jennifer is enjoying life in Austin, "This city has so much to offer-great food, music and culture, and the people are so friendly and laid back, it's great!" She enjoys exercising, exploring Austin, traveling and being with her animals-she has two cats-Hermione and Bindi.
