CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Charleston community and the national midwifery profession are mourning the unexpected passing of Dr. Janell Green Smith, DNP, a highly respected midwife who died shortly after delivering her first child. Her death on January 2 has prompted an outpouring of grief from families she served, colleagues who worked alongside her, and maternal health advocates across the country.
Affectionately known by many patients as “My Favorite Midwife,” Dr. Smith dedicated her professional life to supporting families through childbirth. Over the course of her career, she assisted in the delivery of more than 200 babies and was widely recognized for her clinical expertise, compassion, and steadfast advocacy for birthing people. Her passing following childbirth has been described as a profound loss and a sobering reminder of the challenges that still exist within maternal healthcare.
Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Dr. Smith was valued not only for her medical skill, but also for the trust and comfort she provided during some of the most significant moments in her patients’ lives. Colleagues and families remember her as warm, thoughtful, and deeply committed to respectful, evidence-based, and equitable care. Many say her absence leaves a void that cannot be easily filled.
The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) released a statement honoring Dr. Smith’s life and legacy.
“The American College of Nurse-Midwives mourns the devastating death of Dr. Janell Green Smith, CNM,” the organization said. “Dr. Smith was a respected midwife, scholar, and advocate whose work reflected a deep commitment to respectful, evidence-based, and equitable maternal care.”
ACNM also highlighted the broader context surrounding her passing, pointing to longstanding disparities in maternal health outcomes in the United States.
“That a Black midwife and maternal health expert died giving birth is both heartbreaking and unacceptable,” the statement noted. “Her death reflects the persistent reality that Black women continue to face disproportionate risks during pregnancy and childbirth, regardless of education, income, or professional experience.”
The organization stated it would continue honoring Dr. Smith’s legacy by strengthening efforts to address inequities in maternal healthcare and improve accountability within healthcare systems.
Grow Midwives also shared a message of condolence, remembering Dr. Smith as a leader and source of inspiration.
“Grow Midwives extends our deepest sympathy to the family of Dr. Janell Green Smith,” the organization said. “Her passing represents a profound loss and brings renewed attention to the ongoing crisis of maternal mortality affecting BIPOC families in the United States.”
Grow Midwives noted that Dr. Smith was a scholarship award recipient during Black History Month in 2021, recognizing her vision, dedication, and passion for the future of midwifery.
Those who knew Dr. Smith describe her as someone who fully embraced her calling, dedicating her knowledge, care, and advocacy to every family she served. As family members, patients, colleagues, and friends grieve her loss, many say her legacy will continue through the lives she helped bring into the world and the ongoing work to create safer and more equitable maternal care.
Dr. Janell Green Smith is remembered not only for the hundreds of births she supported, but for the dignity, compassion, and justice she championed for families and communities throughout her career.
