The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation said emergency action was necessary to protect public health and the safety of pregnant women.
AUSTIN, Texas — A Central Texas midwife has had her license suspended following two deaths in her care, as well as comments she reportedly made on social media.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) issued an emergency order suspending the midwifery license of Salli M. Gonzalez, banning her from providing midwifery services in Texas.
Gonzalez previously worked as a midwife at Central Texas Birth Center in Georgetown, which was purchased in April 2024 by Haven Birth & Wellness.
According to a statement from Haven, Gonzalez was employed for a limited period during a transition out of the previous practice, and her employment ended in August 2024. She has no affiliation with the current practice, Haven said.
TDLR said the suspension follows investigations into two cases, including an infant death in February 2023 and a maternal death in April 2023. In both cases, TDLR said Gonzalez failed to follow the standards of care and provisions of the Texas Midwifery Law and Rules.
TDLR said it was also made aware of a social media discussion between Gonzalez and another midwife discussing a clinical situation involving several complications that would typically require a transfer to a hospital. In response, Gonzalez said, “Those things are not concerning to me.”
“TDLR determined that Gonzalez’s response and failure to identify issues requiring escalation could place pregnant clients and unborn children at risk,” the department said.
TDLR said emergency action was necessary to protect public health and safety of pregnant women.
“TDLR’s responsibility is to protect the health and safety of Texans,” said TDLR Executive Director Courtney Arbour. “When a license holder’s conduct poses a risk to the public, TDLR will take action to protect Texans.”