Lauren McCullough, BSN, BS
Lauren McCullough is the Owner and Lead Consultant of Birth Center Consulting, where she supports birth centers nationwide in achieving operational stability, regulatory compliance, and long-term sustainability. A BSN-prepared registered nurse with more than a decade of clinical experience in labor and delivery, Lauren combines deep maternal health expertise with a strong foundation in business management. Her career spans respected institutions including Mount Sinai Health System, Phelps Hospital (Northwell), and BSD Birthing Center, where she has served in roles ranging from clinical labor nurse to operations manager and compliance consultant. This blend of hands-on clinical care and strategic leadership uniquely positions her as a trusted advisor to birth centers navigating complex accreditation, licensing, and operational challenges. Driven by a mission to strengthen community-based solutions to the U.S. maternal health crisis, Lauren founded Birth Center Consulting LLC to help midwifery-led facilities remain compliant, financially sustainable, and rooted in physiological, equitable care. She specializes in CABC accreditation guidance, state regulatory navigation, birth center facility planning, and systems strategy. Her insights are informed not only by professional experience but also by personal conviction—after witnessing disparities in maternal experiences among her own peers, Lauren dedicated her career to ensuring that all families have access to safe, culturally affirming, community-centered birth options. Her work now includes national initiatives such as the Birth Center Collective Equity & Excellence Fund and the National Birth Center Directory, both created to expand visibility, stability, and access to midwifery-led care across the country. Lauren is known for her ability to translate complex clinical and financial systems into clear, actionable frameworks that empower leaders to make informed decisions. Her approach blends compassionate advocacy with pragmatic operational insight, helping centers stay open, compliant, and mission-driven. She attributes her success to perseverance and a lifelong commitment to improving maternal health—one birth center at a time. Through her consulting practice, public speaking, and thought leadership, Lauren continues to champion evidence-based care, birth equity, and the future of community-based maternity services in the United States.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO)
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
• Rutgers University — Bachelor of Science in Business Management
• Dominican University New York — Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• American Association of Birth Centers (AABC)
• Entreprenista League
• Founder of the Birth Center Collective Equity & Excellence Fund
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my commitment to advancing maternal health through high-quality, equitable, community-based birth centers. My background in labor and delivery nursing, paired with my experience in business management and healthcare operations, has given me a strong foundation for supporting birth centers nationwide. My dedication to regulatory excellence, accreditation, and sustainable systems has allowed me to help organizations deliver safe, compassionate maternity care.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to build systems that outlast you. That guidance has shaped the way I approach birth center consulting—focusing not only on immediate solutions but on long-term sustainability, operational clarity, and community impact.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this field is to embrace both the clinical and operational sides of maternal health. Birth center work requires curiosity, courage, and a willingness to understand regulations, accreditation, business structure, and community needs. Your voice matters in shaping the future of maternal care, and the more you invest in learning, the more powerful your impact will be.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in this field is the growing demand for sustainable, equitable, and community-centered birth centers. At the same time, navigating complex regulatory requirements, reimbursement limitations, and varying state licensing processes continues to be a major challenge. These pressures make strategic planning, operational efficiency, and accreditation readiness more important than ever.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me most are equity, excellence, and community-centered care. I believe deeply in supporting birth centers that prioritize safety, dignity, and access for all families. In my personal life and professional work, I strive to embody integrity, compassion, and a commitment to creating better maternal health outcomes—especially for communities that have historically been underserved.