July 2002-June 2006 Staff Nurse at Los Alamos Medical Center

June 2006- June 2008 Staff Nurse at Santa Fe Indian Medical Center

May 2008-Feb 2012 Staff Nurse at Los Alamos Medical Center

Nov 2022-July 2013 PRN Nurse-Midwife at ABQ Health Partners

June 2012-2018 Full-time Nurse-Midwife

August 2014- present Founder & Executive and Midwifery Director of Changing Woman Initiative

2012 Outstanding Mentorship Award, UNM

2010 Midwives of Color Scholar

2010 NM Native American Indian Nurses Association Scholarship

2015 Remarkable Women of Color Who Rocked 2015/ Color lines

2015 MOC Outstanding Award, ACNM

2019 Aspen Fellow

2022 Native American Alumni Chapter of UNM Outstanding Alumni Award

Native American Women’s Reproductive Health. I have significant depth and breadth of expertise in Native American’s reproductive health and wellness through my clinical background and years of work as a midwife serving Native women. I founded the Changing Woman Initiative, the first reproductive wellness and birth center specifically designed for Native Americans in the United States. Through this organization, I have been instrumental in training Indigenous midwives and developing a fellowship opportunity for midwifery students.

Using a variety of publication methods, including a blog, I work to educate others on the importance of Indigenous birth knowledge and traditions and empowering Native American birthing families.

Gonzales, N.L. (2015). American Indians of the Southwest. In Moss, M.P. (2015). American Indian

Health and Nursing. Springer Publishing Company.

 Gonzales, N.L. (2016). The Many Colors of Changing Woman. (2016) SQUAT Birth Journal.

 Gonzales, N.L. (2018). Contributing author, Indigenous Goddess Gang on-line Magazine.

 Gonzales, N.L. (2018). Co-Author, Varney’s Midwifery 6th Edition. Chapter 1. Indigenous Midwifery.

Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Research Consulting. As a scientific advisor on the Pregnancy Study Online (PRESTO) prospective cohort study that examines the association between lifestyle factors (diet, exercise, medication use) on fertility and pregnancy, I am part of a diverse panel of experts informing the development of research questions designed to impact public health.

Systems and Policy Changes to Improve Native American Maternal Health Outcomes and Health Equity. Leveraging my expertise in the experiences of Native American pregnant women in health care through my work, I have consulted with tribes, Indian Health services and health care organization to reduce barriers to care and improve health care quality. As founder of Changing Woman Initiative, I have advocated for policy change to improve health outcomes including access to midwifery support for Native American families.