About Me

Born in Massachusetts, I went to Kenyon College in Ohio for my Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, lived in Colorado and England, and ultimately settled in Portland, Oregon. In Portland I went to doula school to learn to be a birth coach and was inspired to become a midwife. Luckily for me there was a top-ranked midwifery program at the nearby Oregon Health & Science University.

My husband and two children motivate me to be the best version of myself. My best friend’s mother, one of the most inspiring women I’ve ever met, influenced me to become a nurse-midwife. I wanted to be just like her and have amazing experiences at work every day. As a midwife I’m able to provide care in a calm, supportive hospital setting that allows for an immediate response in case of a complication, something that wasn’t an option for my mother.

About my practice

While childbirth is the most amazing part of being a midwife, I’ve always been concerned about all aspects of women’s and family health. My professional interests include well women’s exams, birth control options, prenatal care, and natural childbirth.

To stay up-to-date, I attend professional conferences, where I learn the latest techniques, and catch up with old friends and colleagues. I’m always curious to know more, so I’m constantly researching anything new that comes to my attention. My affiliations with the American College of Nurse-Midwives and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society also help to keep me connected to the latest thinking in my field.

I worked for Kaiser Permanente in Oregon and saw the excellent care that resulted from the close collaboration among providers. I decided then and there that I wanted to work for Kaiser Permanente forever. When the opportunity for bringing midwifery to Maui Memorial Medical Center came up, it was a dream come true. My family and I were ready to embrace the beautiful culture of aloha.

My approach is to give women and their families all the information they need in order to make the best, safest decisions regarding care, whether they want a large family or no children at all, natural birth, or an epidural. It’s a joy to see my patients and their families over the years, especially when babies I helped guide into the world come back with their moms. There’s always time to talk story while we do an exam and take care of any health care needs.

How I thrive

For me staying healthy means getting outside, swimming in the ocean, camping, or digging in my garden. We try to grow as much food as possible—my kids are much more likely to eat a vegetable if they’ve grown and picked it themselves! Being in nature is important for my mood and mental energy. I also enjoy making pottery, which is almost like meditation for me. I love playing with my kids and husband, exploring with them, and trying new activities. I’ve written two books: “A Chicken in Every Yard” and “The New Rules of the Roost.”