ICAN of Atlanta

ATLANTA OBSTETRICIAN TO RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS HEALTH CARE AWARD

March 5, 2013

The natural birth movement has been gaining steam, and one Atlanta doctor at the center of this movement will be honored with a prestigious REAL award.

Dr. Joseph Tate, an obstetrician with a practice in Norcross, is one of only nine US-based health workers to be presented with this award. He will receive the award on Friday March 8, at 11am at Congregation Beth Jacob in Atlanta. His family and a number of his patients are expected to be on hand to celebrate alongside him. The REAL Awards were created by Save the Children and Frontline Health Workers Coalition, and are sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Dr. Tate is known throughout Atlanta for his commitment to helping women give birth the way nature intended, even when they have had a previous c-section (known as VBAC – Vaginal Birth After Cesarean).

With a national c-section rate of 33%, and some Atlanta hospitals performing c-sections for over 40% of births, some believe there is an epidemic of “unnecessareans.” Dr. Tate’s c-section rate is 10-15%, which is the rate recommended by the World Health Organization.

Christine Strain, a Dr. Tate patient and childbirth educator, says, “A lot of people ask ‘What’s wrong with cesareans?’ There’s nothing wrong with them when they are used appropriately. A cesarean can be a lifesaving intervention. However, it is well-documented that cesareans have higher risks for the mother, and the cesarean rates in the US are far too high.”

Maternal mortality rates have nearly doubled in the US since 1982, and while the reasons for this are not entirely understood, some point to the rise in cesarean rates in the past 20 years.

While c-section rates are high, VBAC rates are extremely low. Fewer than 9% of women who have had c-sections go on to deliver vaginally with a subsequent birth. Not so with Dr. Tate who routinely performs VBACs; more than 80% of his patients attempting a VBAC are successful.

Elaine Mills, co-leader of ICAN of Atlanta, says “Dr. Tate’s results speak for themselves. He was the only doctor I could turn to when I wanted a VBAC. Other practices pay lip service to VBACs, but pull the rug out at the last minute. After talking to a number of other women and learning about other practices, I knew Tate was my best chance at a VBAC. I’ve had two VBACs with him and am eternally grateful for that.”

ICAN of Atlanta, a chapter of the International Cesarean Awareness Network, helps put local women in touch with VBAC supportive providers as well as promoting cesarean awareness and recovery. Dr. Tate has been an active member of the chapter since 2006, showing his support for the cause even in his limited free time.

Dr. Tate has delivered over 6,000 babies, and at age 68, shows no signs of slowing down. “This is what I love to do,” says Dr. Tate. “My patients mean a lot to me, and I’m flattered that they nominated me for this award.”

Despite the grueling hours and non-stop delivery schedule — Dr. Tate hasn’t taken a vacation in fifteen years — he is equally committed to his family. He has six children and thirteen grandchildren, and does a family “staycation” every summer. He is also an orthodox Jew who works tirelessly to serve his synagogue and community.

Says Blair Glass, who nominated Dr. Tate for the award, “There’s just nobody like Dr. Tate. He will go to incredible lengths to ensure that women and babies are getting the best possible start together. He is truly special and I can’t imagine anyone more deserving of a REAL award.”