Welcome to MCU's Virtual Yearbook for the Class of April 2019 - July 2020
Congratulations to these Midwives of Excellence!
Associate of Science in Midwifery
April 2019 – July 2020
Adria Dobiash
Washington
Amanda Kessner
California
Anna Gilmore
Colorado
About
Anna has served as mother to her seven children for 21 years, and they have served as her biggest cheerleaders through 6 years of midwifery school. Somehow along the journey she managed to serve on the board of the East Hawaii Perinatal Consortia, and as a Student Rep on the Utah Midwives Organization board. She has trained with 13 different preceptors and served in 7 birth centers across Utah. She takes a special interest in assisting and mentoring students on their journey. It’s not easy, and its for everyone, but its a worthwhile journey.
Fun Facts
Where are you from?
Colorado, Utah, Hawaii, Utah and finally back to Colorado.
If you were a pair of shoes, what would you be and why?
Something practical, but pretty.
unlimited sushi √
unlimited tacos
Sandwich artist, sometime back in the 90’s…
What song describes your style of midwifery?
Simple Gifts
What is the one piece of equipment you MUST have at a birth?
My hands. A doppler is nice as well.
What is one skill or talent you have that not a lot of people know about?
I’m secretly a drummer girl…
Past, Present & Future
What brought you to MCU? A desire to be qualified to serve as a midwife.
What were some of your biggest accomplishments during your time attending MCU? What do you look back on and feel proud of? Just the fact that I hung on through all the life stresses that occurred during school feels like a miracle. I never could have accomplished it without the support of my loyal family, multiple communities and miracles from heaven to pave my way. Now I’m the full time bread winner in my family, a role I never planned on, but which I see is beneficial for my family as well as important to the community I will serve in.
Which is one (or two) mentor(s) who made a significant difference for you and your professional/personal growth during your education at MCU? What impact did they have on you?
Melody Pendleton-Dicken took me in as a fledgling apprentice and helped me get my feet in the water. She’ll always hold a special place in my heart. Suzanne Smith, Amy Olson and Dianne Bjarnson took a special interest in my success and I will be forever in their debt for teaching me how to fly with confidence, in spite of every obstacle.
What’s one word or phrase to describe how you feel about your education at MCU? Transformative
What are your plans moving forward? What’s next for you? What niche or population do you plan to serve?
Brandy Stuart
Washington
Cassandra Aho
Washington
About
Cassandra Aho, CPM recently graduated from Midwives College of Utah and is the owner of Midnight Midwifery Consulting in Port Orchard, WA. Cassandra is passionate about advocating for victims and survivors of domestic violence focusing on creating a dialogue about systemic change by providing educational lectures to health care providers about intimate partner violence and its effects pregnant people, families and communities. She was awarded the Harris-Braun Outstanding Poster Award for Research at MANACAM 2017 for research on Sharing Sexual Responsibility.
Fun Facts
Where are you from?
Michigan
unlimited sushi √
unlimited tacos
What do you do to pump yourself up on the way to a birth?
Past, Present & Future
What brought you to MCU?
After doing Doula work with Survivors of IPV I knew that I needed to be able to do more within their care, I found MCU knowing that with this education I could be the Maternity Care Provider that was needed.
What were some of your biggest accomplishments during your time attending MCU? What do you look back on and feel proud of?
I was able to present at MANA 2017 about Sexual Health and Sharing Responsibility and won the Harris-Braun Award. I also have been able to speak / educate Maternal Healthcare Providers through various organizations about Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy. I was able to do this while being a full time parent to 3 children even sometimes alone as my active duty military partner deployed several times, 3 family moves to different states and maintaining an 3.98 GPA
Kimberly Collins
Missouri
Marivette Torres
California
Rebecca Burkett
Michigan
About
Ever since I was a ‘wee’ one, I have been drawn towards healthcare. I have been especially fascinated with the miracles of pregnancy and birth. About 13 years ago, I had the special opportunity to witness the birth of my first born niece. This monumental event ignited a burning FLAME that led me into Midwifery. I started my educational plan on the path to become an L&D nurse. I learned about midwifery and the Midwives Model of Care in 2013, and it lined up perfectly with my vision of the way I wanted to serve my community. There was no question of where I belonged so I quickly changed my path and jumped right in!
I started apprenticing with a local midwife right away! I enrolled in midwifery school through Midwives College of Utah (MCU) in 2014. Since starting my path to become a Midwife, I have worked with 7 other midwives; mastering skills, providing care in the prenatal and postpartum period, and attending births under many roles within clients’ homes, free-standing birth centers, and some in the hospital.
I graduated in July 2019 from Midwives College of Utah with an Associates of Science in Midwifery. In August 2019, I obtained my Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) credentials through North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) and became a Licensed Midwife (LM) in the State of Michigan.
In October 2019, I opened my own private midwifery practice, Allomother Midwifery, and serve the Greater Lansing Michigan area. My practice is already flourishing (one silver lining to this pandemic)! I also continue to work very closely with the preceptor who I finished my training with.
Fun Facts
Where are you from?
I have lived in several cities throughout Michigan, but I have planted my roots in Lansing and plan to be here for a while.
unlimited sushi √
unlimited tacos
Past, Present & Future
What brought you to MCU?
The structured education and availability of financial aid.
What were some of your biggest accomplishments during your time attending MCU? What do you look back on and feel proud of?Just the fact that I was able to finish and graduate! Right before starting my Primary Phase, I took a year off from clinical work, and there were times I felt like I just didn’t have what it takes to really be a midwife. I’m most proud of the fact that I jumped back in whole heartedly and here I am with a thriving practice 😉
Which is one (or two) mentor(s) who made a significant difference for you and your professional/personal growth during your education at MCU? What impact did they have on you?
Sandra McCurdy, she was my last preceptor and still is a very important person in my life. From the moment we first started working together, she viewed and treated me as an equal. She really helped foster my confidence as a midwife and the respect and value she placed in me literally made all the difference in me finishing my training and becoming a midwife.
Romy Sharieff
Virginia
About
Before COVID, I was working internationally serving women living in extreme poverty. I am now currently a licensed CPM practicing in Virginia. Additionally, I am doing pro-bono work for Urban Baby Beginnings whose mission is to close the racial disparity in maternal health care. I have also created marketing videos for Shiphrah Birthing Home highlighting their goals of uplifting communities through the power of birth. I also formerly served as an ambassador for Midwives For Haiti and have a published a couple of articles. I am also a yoga teacher and still currently work full time as an IT consultant for a community college.
Fun Facts
Where are you from?
England
If you were a pair of shoes, what would you be and why?Stilettos without a doubt. It feels powerfully feminine and non-apologetic!
Which would you choose for the rest of your life?
unlimited sushi
unlimited tacos √
Your first job was…
baby sitter
What song describes your style of midwifery?
Not so much a song, but some ayats of the quran – which loosely translates that trust in God, He is sufficient and ever present with His guidance and He will provide.
What is the one piece of equipment you MUST have at a birth?
my hands
What is one skill or talent you have that not a lot of people know about?
I’m a motorcyclist.
Past, Present & Future
What brought you to MCU? The quality of the education and flexibility/support in reaching my goals of being a licensed midwife
Although tough at times, I feel very fortunate to have attended MCU. The skills I acquired have impacted many different aspects of my life, including being able to create a marketing campaign for Donate Life Virginia in honor of a friend who passed away. MCU taught me how to ask the difficult questions, how to dig deeper, and helped me reconnect with confidence and find my voice. I feel like the support at MCU enabled me to be able to express my compassion authentically and be able tap into my creative side. MCU has changed my life in ways I can’t describe!
I think the person/mentor who influenced my life the most during my time at MCU, was my friend Andrew Luna who unexpectedly became an organ donor on Dec.16th, 2017. He taught me the importance (and to never underestimate) and power of just being present without judgment, to not be afraid, that with love, we can accomplish things we never knew we were capable of. That you never know whose life you will impact with your presence (or absence) if you live by your values, live by your heart.
What’s one word or phrase to describe how you feel about your education at MCU? Life Changing
Bachelor of Science in Midwifery
April 2019 – July 2020
Alexandra Rounds
California
Amanda Counter
Utah
Amy Michaelson-Radcliffe
North Carolina
Ashlee Nicole Morton Sourapas
California
About
To view Ashlee’s bio, please visit: http://www.orangecountymidwives.com/ashlee-sourapas-lm-cpm
Fun Facts
Where are you from?
Orange County, CA
If you were a pair of shoes, what would you be and why?Berks: they’re cozy, support you well, hearty enough for the dirt and rough, but still cute enough for all settings. 🙂
unlimited sushi
unlimited tacos √
Your first job was…
Office cleaner
What song describes your style of midwifery?
What is the one piece of equipment you MUST have at a birth?
Olive oil for massaging legs postpartum
What is one skill or talent you have that not a lot of people know about?
I’m a writer (songs and heart pieces)
Past, Present & Future
What brought you to MCU?
Divine timing and the calling to become a midwife after years of birth work.
What were some of your biggest accomplishments during your time attending MCU? What do you look back on and feel proud of?
Which is one (or two) mentor(s) who made a significant difference for you and your professional/personal growth during your education at MCU? What impact did they have on you?
Lindsey Meehleis, my preceptor. She gave me full freedom and trust to deepen my growing intuition and supported me wholly. She was never harsh or critical or judgemental, but taught through her kindness and wisdom.
I also got to learn from other midwives exactly who I didn’t want to be in my community and to the people I will care for, both clients & students.
What’s one word or phrase to describe how you feel about your education at MCU?
Transformative
Bryanna Lee
Utah
About
Bryanna Lee graduated from Midwives College of Utah with her Bachelor degree in Midwifery. She is now Tooele Midwifery’s owner and Certified Professional Midwife; licensed to practice in the state of Utah. In addition, Bryanna is the elected Vice President for Utah Midwives Organization.
Bryanna has helped nearly 100 families in the birth of their newborn, and over 150 families throughout their preconception, prenatal, postpartum, and well-body care visits.
She attended her first birth at 14 years old when her youngest brother was born. Bryanna then dreamed of being an OBGYN before the Midwifery Model of Care was introduced to her during a Medical Anthropology college course. She soon became passionate about advocating for birth options and out of hospital birthing.
Bryanna completed her BA studies with Midwives College of Utah in 2019 and passed her NARM exam in May 2020. She says she couldn’t be making her dreams come true without the support of her amazing husband. They have 2 young children together, both of whom were born at home. Her family loves to spend time outside, camping, hiking, fishing and enjoying nature.
In addition to being a Certified Professional and Licensed Direct Entry Midwife, Bryanna is a certified StillBirthday Doula, Childbirth Educator, Midwife Assistant, and trained Placenta Specialist. She also maintains CPR, neonatal resuscitation, evidence informed practice certification and food handlers permit.
Bryanna believes in natural processes of birth, as well as it’s normal variations. Every pregnancy and birth is different and therefore; she believes each client deserves individualized care. Bryanna hopes to do her part in improving childbirth care in her community by providing culturally competent and evidence informed practices.
Bryanna is a proud member of the American Indian Ponca Tribe of Nebraska. She feels passionately about social and birth justices in many under-represented communities. Growing up on a reservation in Southern California, Bryanna gained an understanding of social disparities at a young age and became even more invested in her own competency during many cultural courses at Midwives College of Utah. She still continues to grow by taking courses, being engaged in the community, and actively being aware of her own anti-racist work.
Fun Facts
Where are you from?
Tooele, Utah
unlimited sushi √
unlimited tacos
Your first job was…
What song describes your style of midwifery?
What is the one piece of equipment you MUST have at a birth?
Stethoscope
Past, Present & Future
What brought you to MCU?
MCU is a structured program where I felt confident in the depth of what I would be learning to be a competent midwife. It was important to me to obtain my BA degree and was sold on having it specifically for midwifery. Lastly, I appreciated the ability to learn from home and “go at my own pace”.
What were some of your biggest accomplishments during your time attending MCU? What do you look back on and feel proud of?
Courtney Everson – challenged me the most during courses. This led to my moments of the most growth and learning.
Mel Smith-Tourville – helped me tremendously with understanding mental illness, not only for my clients, but also on a deep personal level.
What’s one word or phrase to describe how you feel about your education at MCU?
Shoutouts
Bryanna, my love, my wife, my best friend. I’m so incredibly proud of you and all that you’ve accomplished and will continue to achieve. You’re an amazing midwife and I will always love and support you!
Love, Hubby
Clarissa Baxter
Idaho
About
Clarissa is a wife and mother of four. Shortly after the birth of her last child, with support and encouragement from her husband she applied to midwifery school and graduated in under 4 years with a Bachelors of Science in Midwifery. Shortly after applying to school Clarissa discovered she has 6 midwife grandmothers. Upon learning of her family history a rich dream was born to fulfill a legacy to become a midwife and continue the tradition of loving and caring for women. This dream pushed her to not give up and especially was a comfort to her during hard times. Now she is a certified professional midwife and licensed midwife practicing in the greater Boise Idaho area. She graduates Midwives College of Utah with 75 primary catches, helping over 300 families and having worked more than 3,000 clinical hours. She never missed an assignment or had to retake a class and achieved her goal to graduate with honors.
Fun Facts
Where are you from?
The beautiful desert of Tempe, Arizona.
If you were a pair of shoes, what would you be and why?Running shoes, with a soft sole. Something you can wear everyday and to any occasion. Sturdy enough to wear doing yard work and easy and simple enough to clean and wear to church. They don’t hurt your feet and you can always depend on them.
unlimited sushi √
unlimited tacos
Your first job was…
Babysitting for a family down the street, then working at a church book store.
What song describes your style of midwifery?
Classical. No words, just light piano music with a soft orchestra creating a beautiful composition fitted for relaxation and peace.
What is the one piece of equipment you MUST have at a birth?
One thing I love so much about birth and midwifery is the ability to care so completely for women with my knowledge, skills, and hands alone. If I have nothing but that, I feel confident and worthy to care for a laboring person. It is a comfort to have more supplies, but without them I am still okay. I do feel if I could have a phone I would be happy. Every birth deserve to be captured with photos, if desired. In addition my phone is a way to chart, communicate, and reach other services if needed.
What is one skill or talent you have that not a lot of people know about?
I love working with power tools, building things with wood and working with my hands outside.
Past, Present & Future
What brought you to MCU? My rich midwifery heritage and love for women and families. I was a part of an online Nature birth forum, where a woman asked about applying to midwifery school. Another member commented about her experience at MCU and I applied that day. There is was no question, I knew I had to do it.
I made and kept everyone of my goals: Getting an A in every class. Never dropping out or retaking a class, and never missing a birth or assignment.
Which is one (or two) mentor(s) who made a significant difference for you and your professional/personal growth during your education at MCU? What impact did they have on you?
The people who had the biggest influence on my success at MCU were my husband, peers, teachers, my parents, and my Father in Heaven.
My preceptors (all 16 of them) each influenced me in a different way. They demanded growth and learning. It was a beautiful journey that was often very difficult and painful.
My peers, husband, teachers, and parents were the ones I relied on. They spoke to me, encouraged me, and picked me up when I fell down. I remember a few times in particular when I felt all together broken and a professor gave me feedback I needed just at the right time. My peers prayed with me. My husband believed in me. At the times I wanted to give up, they were the ones who were there. I made the best of friends at MCU, especially Lori, Amanda, and Katlyn. It was an honor to be there for each other at every turn and I love them with all I have.
What’s one word or phrase to describe how you feel about your education at MCU? Proud
What are your plans moving forward? What’s next for you? What niche or population do you plan to serve?
David Carter Plake
Texas
About
David is a CPM, licensed midwife in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, and a NARM registered preceptor. David has a private home birth practice serving El Paso Texas and the surrounding areas, is a staff midwife at Maternidad La Luz and serves on the Association of Texas Midwives Board of Directors. David is also a midwifery instructor and clinical coordinator for Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. Prior to becoming a midwife, David was a labor and delivery nurse for 20+ years.
Fun Facts
Where are you from?
Indiana
Which would you choose for the rest of your life?
unlimited sushi
unlimited tacos √
Your first job was…
OB Tech
What do you do to pump yourself up on the way to a birth?
Diet Coke. Must have Diet Coke.
What is the one piece of equipment you MUST have at a birth?
Doppler
Past, Present & Future
What brought you to MCU?
The accessibility of the program
What were some of your biggest accomplishments during your time attending MCU? What do you look back on and feel proud of? I haven’t stopped! I completed my ASM and went directly into BSM then on into MSM!
Anne Lara Kuntz-Annie taught me how to be well rounded. That there was more than just one style to midwifery and how to incorporate learning from different midwives into my own practice. Annie also was the biggest life-saver when it came to suturing-she was patient and literally held my hand as she taught me. For that a million thanks! Annie’s presence as a preceptor, mentor, colleague and friend is profound in all aspects of my life. I couldn’t be where I am today without her.
What’s one word or phrase to describe how you feel about your education at MCU?
Jennifer Marsh
Washington
About
Fun Facts
Which would you choose for the rest of your life?
unlimited tacos √
Your first job was…
What is the one piece of equipment you MUST have at a birth?
My hands.
What is one skill or talent you have that not a lot of people know about?
Ability to fall asleep wherever I am.
Past, Present & Future
What brought you to MCU?
Flexibility, good word of mouth, cost, availability of financial aid
What were some of your biggest accomplishments during your time attending MCU? What do you look back on and feel proud of?
Getting through it!
Tamara Tate: Always someone I could call and talk to when I was having a difficult time. Audra Post: a ray of sunshine. She always brought so much positivity to the classroom and whole MCU experience.
Katie Hamilton
California
Kyndall Proffitt
Georgia
Lauren Clark-Boucher
Vermont
Libby Silva
Idaho
Melissa Mayfield
Washington
Renee Terralumina
Washington
Master of Science in Midwifery
April 2019 – July 2020
Ashley Jones
Washington
About
Ashley is the owner and sole midwife with Fly True Midwifery in Port Orchard, WA. She is also a member of the board of directors for Midwives Association of Washington State. She is the Ethical Review Board Chair and Adjunct Faculty teaching Principles of Evidence Informed Practices with Midwives College of Utah.
Fun Facts
Where are you from?
San Diego originally, Now Port Orchard, WA
Which would you choose for the rest of your life?
unlimited sushi
unlimited tacos √
Your first job was…
What is the one piece of equipment you MUST have at a birth?
WATCH
Past, Present & Future
What brought you to MCU?
As a military spouse at the time, I needed something flexible that could move with me. I chose to continue with my masters after a push from Courtney Everson and Megan Koontz. My masters was important to me so that I can teach and continue to be a positive part of the development of midwives of excellence.
What were some of your biggest accomplishments during your time attending MCU? What do you look back on and feel proud of?
Gina Gerboth
Colorado
About
Gina Gerboth has been a midwife in Colorado since 2010. She is a Certified Professional Midwife (registered in the state of Colorado) and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She is a core faculty member at Midwives College of Utah. She teaches continuing education courses locally and has presented nationally at the Midwives Alliance of North America annual conference and online for Gold Midwifery and the National Association of Certified Professional Midwives. She was recently elected to the Board of Directors for the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council and the Academic Collaborative for Integrative Health.
Gina holds a Master of Midwifery degree from Midwives College of Utah where she focused her studies and applied project on interprofessional collaboration and interprofessional education. She also holds a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health from the Colorado School of Public Health and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Colorado in Political Science with an emphasis in Women’s Studies (1995). She is also a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician.
Fun Facts
Where are you from?
Colorado
unlimited sushi √
unlimited tacos
Your first job was…
McDonald’s (gasp!)
What song describes your style of midwifery?
Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked
What is the one piece of equipment you MUST have at a birth?
I’m not sure I need anything all of the time…
Knitting
Past, Present & Future
What brought you to MCU? I had an opportunity to teach Lactation and Public Health at MCU and haven’t looked back.
Which is one (or two) mentor(s) who made a significant difference for you and your professional/personal growth during your education at MCU? What impact did they have on you?
Megan Koontz has been key in helping me develop as a professional and as a human. She also makes my job (and studies) so much more fun!
What’s one word or phrase to describe how you feel about your education at MCU? Accomplished
What are your plans moving forward? What’s next for you? What niche or population do you plan to serve?
Ramona Webb
Papua New Guinea
About
Fun Facts
Where are you from?
Grand Rapids, Michigan
If you were a pair of shoes, what would you be and why?
Socofy or Crazycatz or NewChic, cuz I want to be like them and love bright colors.
unlimited sushi √
unlimited tacos
Babysitting
What song describes your style of midwifery?
9 to 5 (just kidding!!!). Let’s go with “If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It” by John Anderson.
What is the one piece of equipment you MUST have at a birth?
My hands. A doppler is nice as well.
What do you do to pump yourself up on the way to a birth?
Drink coffee or take a B-complex vitamin
What is one skill or talent you have that not a lot of people know about?
Hanging spoons on my face
Past, Present & Future
What brought you to MCU? The good reputation, midwifery focus, and ability to do a Master’s at a distance.
What were some of your biggest accomplishments during your time attending MCU? What do you look back on and feel proud of? Finishing! Learning tons more than I would have if I just studied on my own.
Which is one (or two) mentor(s) who made a significant difference for you and your professional/personal growth during your education at MCU? What impact did they have on you?
What’s one word or phrase to describe how you feel about your education at MCU? In-depth