STEP 1: Volunteer Training
Pre-eclampsia & Eclampsia Day 1
Saturday, January 17, 2026 • 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Essential Newborn Care 1 (Helping Babies Breathe)
Sunday, January 18, 2026 • 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Training Location
Harbor House Clubhouse
802 Harbor House Drive
Madison, Wisconsin 53719
Supporting Safe Birth uses the programs Helping Mothers and Babies Survive (HMBS), which were developed in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), US Agency for International Development (USAID), JHPIEGO, and several other global health agencies. They are designed to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in low resource areas. The highly visual learner booklets, along with manikins, such as the MamaBirthie simulator, allow for hands-on, experiential learning.
STEP 2: Registration Information
$350 for a 2-day training weekend or
$200 per day (including lunch each day)
A donation is suggested.
The fee is a non-refundable, tax-deductible donation to Supporting Safe Birth, Inc. You will receive payment instructions under separate cover upon acceptance into the class (within 2 weeks).
You will not be considered fully enrolled in the class(es) until full payment is received. Contact Nancy at:
safebirthguatemala@gmail.com with any questions.
NOTE: These are one or two-day training, so you can choose one or both days to attend. However, in order to join our training trip to Guatemala, both days of training are required.
STEP 3: Registration
Fill out the form below to register. Contact Nancy at safebirthguatemala@gmail.com with any questions.
STEP 4: Join Us
The next opportunity for volunteers to join in the work of SSB will be February 5 – 18, 2026. Individuals interested in helping with training sessions in Guatemala are required to attend a two-day training course.
Unable to join us?
You can provide support by making a DONATION.
About the Course Instructors
Nancy Huhta Comello, DNP, CNM, RNC
Supporting Safe Birth, Founder/President Nancy holds certifications in Electronic Fetal Monitoring, Inpatient Obstetrics, Maternal Newborn Nursing, and Obstetrics and Neonatal Quality and Safety. She also teaches NRP (newborn resuscitation), Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics, and is a master trainer of the Helping Mothers & Babies Survive programs.
She received the 2018 AWHONN (Association of Women’s Health & Neonatal Nurses) Clinical Education Award. Whether educating midwives, nurses, physicians, or families, Nancy stresses the importance of evidence-based birth practices and compassionate, high-quality care – before, during, and after birth.
Teresa S. Johnson, PhD, RN
Dr. Johnson has been engaged in the care, education, and research of birthing persons, their infants and families for > 40 years with a focus on 1) breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity, duration and support of normal and high-risk families and their infants and 2) elimination of disparities in the care of families during pre- and interconception, pregnancy, birth, and infancy. These areas have both been very important throughout her career while living, working, and serving in diverse communities. Providing respectful care for all has been a living principle throughout her career. Dr. Johnson has been to Guatemala with Supporting Safe Birth in the summer of 2024, and looks forward to many more trips.
Bridget C. LaGro, MSN, CNM
Bridget is a nurse midwife working in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Before becoming a midwife, she was a registered nurse in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Unity Point Health-Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. She feels strongly about providing evidence-based, compassionate, and culturally sensitive care to all women and their babies throughout the childbearing years and beyond. She has traveled to Guatemala with Supporting Safe Birth once and while family and work circumstances have kept her from making any return trips, she anticipates being able to travel again soon. She lives in Canandaigua, NY with her husband, son, and two dogs.
Supporting Safe Birth 