Nell received her certificate in Midwifery from State University of New York (Downstate) and her MS in Midwifery from Philadelphia University. Nell became a Certified Nurse-Midwife in 1986. She has been actively involved in women's health care since 1977. She has been a childbirth educator, a birth photographer, a labor and birth nurse, a nurse-midwife, a midwifery educator and author, and a maternal child health consultant in public health. Nell is committed to expanding midwifery and health equity for all people in every health care setting. Her passion is bridging the gap between clinical practice and emerging evidence. With a focus on improving health care, Nell believes we must first acknowledge the harmful effects of systemic racism and then actively work to create communities and health care systems where people can thrive. Nell currently teaches midwifery skills workshops with a focus on suturing, repair of birth lacerations, and pelvic health in the childbearing year.

Nell is the original author and now co-editor of the'Clinical Practice Guidelines for Midwifery & Women's Health, author of the ACNM text the'Midwife as Surgical First Assistant, and co-author of the Maine CDC'Best Practice Recommendations for Handoff Communication During Transport from a Home or Freestanding Birth Center to a Hospital Setting.