Faculty & Staff

Barbara D. Camune, CNM, WHNP-BC, DrPH, FACNM

Clinical Associate Professor and Coordinator, Nurse Midwifery/Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner Programs
Department of Women, Children and
Family Health Science

NURS 816
UIC College of Nursing
845 South Damen Avenue (MC 802)
Chicago, IL 60612-7350

Phone: 312.355.3038
Email: bcamune@uic.edu

Research / Discovery
Dr. Camune is especially interested in the birth outcome of shoulder dystocia and resulting brachial plexus injury. She has presented her dissertation work in this area at multiple state, national and international meetings related to risk factors, and management techniques. She is considered a nurse expert in this area. Dr. Camune has also investigated multiple aspects of breast cancer including: prevention, diagnosis and management. She has authored several papers relating to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment during pregnancy, as well as breastfeeding after breast cancer. She has presented evidence for management at multiple national advanced practice nursing meetings.

Teaching / Learning
Dr. Camune has been teaching for 20 years at the university level. Because of her love for all aspects of women’s health care, she has been an invited speaker for undergraduate nurses as well as graduate students in the family, community and perinatal programs. Dr. Camune has administered and taught the clinical courses for students in the Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse-Midwifery programs. She currently also teaches health promotion theory in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at UIC. When asked about her favorite topic outside of her research interests, Dr. Camune revealed that she loves menstrual cycle physiology and the gyn conditions that result from imbalances in the hormonal pathways. Dr. Camune has received national awards for teaching excellence by the American College of Nurse-Midwives’ Foundation four times, and other University of Texas awards for creative teaching methods and clinical teaching. She has been recognized by Sigma Theta Tau, International for excellence in teaching and practice.

Service / Practice
Currently, Dr. Camune is practicing midwifery at St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital in the group practice owned and operated by the Women, Children and Family Health Science Department at the College of Nursing. Dr. Camune has practiced as a staff nurse, unit manager and women’s services manager as well as a clinical specialist, women’s health nurse practitioner and nurse-midwife. She has worked in large university referral centers, medium suburban and small community hospitals as well as private and public clinics. Talking about caring for women brings a smile to her face, because that is the joy of her professional life.

Dr. Camune is involved in many professional activities. At the local level, she is the Treasurer for the local midwifery chapter, Vice President and By-Laws Chair for the Alpha Lambda Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, International chapter at UIC, Co-Chair of a sub committee of the Chancellors’ Committee on the Status of Women and a volunteer for the American Cancer Society. Nationally, Dr. Camune chairs the Division of Education for the American College of Nurse- Midwives, which consists of 8 committees, and works in an advisory capacity for several nursing and health care organizations.

Personal
Barbara and her husband, Cecil have raised 3 wonderful children who all live in Texas. The Camunes moved to the south Chicago suburbs with their 4 dogs 2 years ago. After living in Texas for 28 years, they are adjusting to the more variable weather changes. Barbara enjoys scrounging for antiques, working with crafts, dancing and relaxing with friends and relatives.