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 observe 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. 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. I am particularly interested in intellectual and developmental disability care, reproductive rights and maternal morbidity and mortality.
I live in the city of Rochester with my husband and 2 children and enjoy pie baking. We are active in the special needs/Autism community.
Professional Background
My professional interest in birth began as a Peace Corps volunteer in Madagascar, East Africa. I was a maternal child health volunteer 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 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 and Women’s Health degrees at the University of Pennsylvania after an Integration semester delivering babies in Auckland, New Zealand. There I observed a woman-centered system of health care for the indigenous Maori, Pacific Islanders and European descent women. Normal births are attended by midwives in either the home, birth center or hospital setting- depending on patient choice.
Presently I am a Certified Nurse Midwife with the URMC Midwifery group where I have a special interest in care for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, reproductive rights and maternal mortality and morbidity. I enjoy teaching medical, nursing and midwifery students as well as participating in resident OB/GYN education at Strong Memorial Hospital.
I’m active with the New York State Association of Licensed Midwives and am the representative for Western New York, as well as the national American College of Nurse Midwives.