Rakiya Watts, CNM

Rakiya N. Watts, CNM, MS (she/her/hers), is a full-scope practicing midwife, midwifery educator, and Division Director of the Stony Brook Midwives. She has been practicing since 2011 and earned her Master’s in Midwifery from Yale School of Nursing and her bachelor's degree in Sociology from Boston College.

Rakiya’s midwifery practice is rooted in listening deeply and caring for patients as whole people. She is committed to providing equitable, inclusive care across the lifespan—from adolescence through menopause—while actively addressing disparities in healthcare, particularly the morbidity and mortality associated with childbirth among Black and Brown individuals. She is passionate about ensuring that patients feel heard, respected, and empowered as active participants in their care.

As Division Director, Rakiya is focused on reducing primary cesarean section rates by expanding access to midwifery care, enhancing prenatal education, and promoting the integration of doula support. Recognizing the importance of community in the postpartum period, she was instrumental in establishing the Fourth Trimester Support Group at Stony Brook, which offers comprehensive support for patients during their postpartum journey.

Rakiya is also deeply committed to mentorship and education, believing that fostering the next generation of midwives—and ensuring representation within the profession—is essential to advancing equitable care, while remaining equally dedicated to caring for women at every stage of life. Outside of her professional role, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Trevor, and their two children. She often shares that in a world focused on holding the baby, it is her privilege to hold the birthing person.