My interest in women's health started with the birth of my brother at age 3 and coalesced during my service with the Peace Corps in Madagascar. I was lucky enough to work with amazing midwives and witness how intimate, protected and safe birth could be. I earned my Nursing degree from the University of Pennsylvania, worked as a Labor and Delivery nurse in Philadelphia, then returned to U Penn for my Nurse Midwifery degree in 2010. I spent my final semester in New Zealand working with Maori, Tongan and Samoan families- where the majority of births are with midwives and un-medicated. I love providing individualized care to women and their families throughout the life span and am particularly interested in evidence-based midwifery and global health.
I live in the city of Rochester with my family and enjoy visiting my 99 year-old Grandmother in Lyons, where she helps me perfect my pie baking.
Professional Background
My professional interest in birth began as a Peace Corps volunteer in Madagascar, East Africa. I was a maternal child health volunteer in 2003-5 and had the privilege to work with the pregnant women in our community and witness many births with the local midwives. Upon completion of my service I started Nursing School at the University of Pennsylvania in 2006 and worked as a Labor and Delivery nurse in Philadelphia, PA at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. In 2010 I completed my Midwifery degree at the University of Pennsylvania after an Integration semester delivering babies in Auckland, New Zealand. There I observed an ideal system of health care for indigenous Maori, Pacific Islanders and European descent women where all normal births are attended by midwives in either the home, birth center or hospital setting, depending on patient choice.
I practiced in the Baltimore/ Washington area where I served as a preceptor to many midwifery and medical students. Presently I am a Certified Nurse Midwife and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner with the URMC Midwifery group where I have a special interest in evidence-based care and global health research.
In July 2015 I will be giving a presentation at the National ACNM conference entitled "Practice hacks for the first 5 years: encouragement for new midwives".
I am also an active member of the NYSALM (NY State Association of Licensed Midwives) on the Communications Committee and with ACNM (American College of Nurse Midwives) on the Global Health Research committee.