In Good Hands

A Doctor's Story of Breaking Barriers for Midwifery and Birth Rights

Launching July 16, 2024

BOOK THEMES:

Advocacy for Choice & Safety in Healthcare

Resilience Amid Adversity

Evolution of Beliefs

Mentorship & Inspiration

In supporting nurse midwives, Darrell found himself targeted by physicians who were threatened by the concept of midwifery as a safer alternative to care for mother and child.

This resulted in legal battles that ultimately led to the near destruction of the life Darrell worked so hard to build for himself and his family. Ultimately, this is the story of a man’s dogged pursuit of better, safer, more collaborative healthcare for women, and the immense challenges he and his colleagues were forced to overcome. This compelling narrative reminds us that although it takes great courage to do the right thing,

God is there to support us every step of the way. 

Launching July 2024 at these retailers

Darrell Martin is a dedicated healthcare advocate and author of In Good Hands:  A Doctor’s Story of breaking barriers for Midwifery and birth rights.

His childhood experiences with physicians and his passion for obstetrics led him through medical school and residency. However, Darrell's true calling emerged in supporting allied healthcare, particularly in advocating for collaborative models in women's health alongside midwives. His unwavering commitment faced significant challenges, including legal battles, as he fought to establish safer and more inclusive healthcare practices.

Darrell's resilience, fueled by a deep belief in better healthcare for women, is an inspiration, reflecting the unwavering courage needed to challenge established norms in pursuing a more compassionate and effective healthcare system.

Launching July 16, 2024

  • "The story of Dr. Darrell Martin's work alongside Vicki (Henderson) Burslem and Susan Sizemore has great significance in midwifery history. Burslem and Sizemore developed a midwifery-owned practice with Dr. Martin serving as their contracted physician collaborator. <br> <br>The obstacles these nurse-midwives faced [to] address the U.S. maternity care crisis led them along a midwifery advocacy journey that included a Congressional subcommittee hearing, a Federal Trade Commission ruling, and antitrust litigation. <br> <br> Ultimately, the efforts of these pioneering nurse-midwives provided federal regulatory support and judicial precedents that strengthened midwifery's professional standing in the United States and contributed to midwifery's growth across the country. "

    — Frances E. Likis, DrPH, NP, CNM
    Editor-in-Chief Emeritus
    Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health

Dr. Darrell Martin is a gynecologist and a healthcare advocate with four decades of expertise in women’s health.

Dr. Darrell Martin, MD, FACOG, is an esteemed gynecologist, gynecological surgeon, and beacon of healthcare advocacy with a distinguished career spanning over forty years in women's health. His unwavering dedication to patient choice and care has led him to the forefront of legislative change, testifying before Congress in staunch support of Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) and the rights of patients to choose their healthcare providers. Notably, his passionate advocacy for nurse midwifery in Nashville, Tennessee, has cemented his reputation as a pivotal figure in the advancement of the profession.

  • Dr. Martin's contributions extend beyond advocacy, having facilitated over 5,000 births—a testament to his legacy of life and joy in the field of obstetrics. His journey, characterized by a deep-seated commitment to improving women's healthcare, found its profound expression in his role as an author. His work, "In Good Hands: A Doctor’s Story of Breaking Barriers for Midwifery and Birth Rights," encapsulates his journey from a young observer of medical professionalism to a fervent supporter of allied healthcare and midwifery. Facing significant challenges, including legal battles to champion a collaborative model of women's health, Dr. Martin's story is one of resilience and courage, inspiring a more compassionate, inclusive, and effective healthcare system for women.

Have you ever wondered what happens when you dare to challenge the status quo?

Dr. Darrell Martin's book delves into such a journey, beginning with the simple yet profound admiration of a young boy for his uncle, a dedicated family physician.

This admiration sets the stage for a life dedicated not to just walking in those footsteps, but carving a new path—one that leads to the heart of midwifery and the advocacy for women's rights to choose how they welcome life into the world.

Launching July 16, 2024

This book is for:

  • This book is for anyone who believes in the power of choice and believing in the power of their own voice.

  • Readers intrigued by the personal journey of a physician who dared to question the norms of his profession and advocate for a more inclusive, respectful approach to women's health.

  • Educators and students in the fields of medicine, nursing, and public health, providing a real-world example of how passion, perseverance, and a commitment to evidence-based, patient-centered care can lead to meaningful change.

In the heart of every challenge lies the opportunity for advocacy and change.

In Good Hands isn't just a story of one man's journey; it's a beacon for all who believe in a more compassionate, patient-centered approach to healthcare. Dare to make a difference, one choice, one voice at a time