President Kristi Ridd-Young
Administrative Staff
PRESIDENT
Kristi Ridd-Young
Email: president@midwifery.edu
BS Public Health Administration (Madison University), DONA International Doula Trainer, CD (DONA) Doula
OFFICE MANAGER AND ASSISTANT
Jennifer Bertagnole
Email: officemanger@midwifery.edu
CMP, BS (Midwives College of Utah), MS Adult Education (Strayer University)
ACADEMIC DEAN
Megan Koontz
Email: academicdean@midwifery.edu
CPM, Master of Midwifery (Otago Polytechnic Institute), Bachelor of Midwifery (Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Information and Technology), BA Psychology and Education (Auckland University)
ASSISTANT TO ACADEMIC DEAN
Emily Rainey
Email: emily.rainey@midwifery.edu
MSPH (University of Utah), BS Anthropology
DIRECTOR of STUDENT LIFE, EQUITY & ACCESS
Tamara Taitt
Email: studentlife@midwifery.edu
MS Master of Science, Marriage & Family Therapy (Nova Southeastern University), AS Associate of Sciences, Midwifery (Miami Dade College), BA, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology (Princeton University), LMFT (FL)
DIRECTOR of STUDENT SERVICES
Cheryl Furer
CHom (Homeopathy School International), BSM (MCU), CPM, RM (Colorado)
CLINICAL ADMINISTRATOR
Kaylee Ridd
Email: clinicaladministrator@midwifery.edu
BS Sociology (University of Utah)
ASSESSMENT SPECIALIST and WELL MIDWIFE COORDINATOR
Sarah Carter
Email: well-midwife@midwifery.edu
CPM, ASM (Midwives College of Utah), BA English (Brigham Young University)
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Mary Nattress
Email: hr@midwifery.edu
BS (Brigham Young University)
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Sonia Olmstead
Email: office@midwifery.edu
ADMISSIONS DIRECTOR
Melissa Smith-Tourville
Email: admissions@midwifery.edu
MSW Master of Social Work (University of Wisconsin-Madison), BA Sociology (Fort Hays State University), CPM, LM (WI)
EVENT COORDINATOR
Masha Mesyef
Email: conference@midwifery.edu
JD (Washington University School of Law), BA Psychology and Political Science (University of Illinois)
FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Julie DeLong
BA Economics (Brigham Young University)
DIRECTOR of FINANCIAL AID & COMPLIANCE
Whitney Mesyef
Email: directorfinancialaid@midwifery.edu
JD (Washington University Law School), BA Anthropology (Brown University)
FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATOR
Christina Hrenko
Email: financialaid@midwifery.edu
BA Economics (Youngstown State University)
FINANCIAL AID OFFICER and MILITARY AID
Emily Rainey
Email: sapfinancialaid@midwifery.edu (Title IV Funding)
Email: va@midwifery.edu (Military Aid)
BS Anthropology, MSPH (University of Utah)
GRANT WRITER AND HUMAN RESOURCES
Kim Blue
Email: grantwriter@midwifery.edu
MS Women’s Studies (Minnesota State University, Mankato), BA English (Southern Illinois University)
LIBRARIAN
Kaylee Ridd
Email: librarian@midwifery.edu
BS Sociology (University of Utah)
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Masha Mesyef
Email: marketing@midwifery.edu
JD (Washington University School of Law), BA Psychology and Political Science (University of Illinois)
PRECEPTOR LIAISON
Jenny Schultz
Email: preceptors@midwifery.edu
CPM, LM State of Arizona, MPA (Arizona State University), BA History (Baker University)
RECEPTIONIST
Sonia Olmstead
Email: office@midwifery.edu
REGISTRAR
Laura Park
Email: registrar@midwifery.edu
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Alan Bellows
A+, MCP Certification
RESEARCH ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR
Emily Rainey
Email: researchassistance@midwifery.edu
BS Anthropology, MSPH (University of Utah)
ERB CHAIR
Maria Cranford
Email: erb@midwifery.edu
MSM (Midwives College of Utah), BS (Brigham Young University), CPM
STUDENT FINANCES
Kimberly Muller
Email: studentfincances@midwifery.edu
BA (University of New Mexico)
House Mentors
Cheryl Furer
CHom (Homeopathy School International), BSM (MCU), CPM, RM (Colorado)
Crystal Ogle
ASM (MCU), BSM (MCU), LM (Washington), CPM
Jodie Palmer
MAE (George Wythe University)
Martina Craner
CPM, BS (Colorado State), ASM (Midwives College of Utah)
Megan Koontz
CPM, Master of Midwifery (Otago Polytechnic Institute), Bachelor of Midwifery (Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Information and Technology), BA Psychology and Education (Auckland University)
Sandra Blankenship
BA (Business Scranton College), RM, CPM (NARM)
Faculty
Dr. Sonia Ochoa teaching a suturing class at MCU Student Conference.
Dr. Abigail O. Aiyopla, ND, Adjunct Faculty
Doctorate, Naturopathic Medicine (Bastyr), BS, BA (UMBC), LM
Aisha Al Hajjar, Adjunct Faculty
BSM (MCU), CPM (NARM)
Ruth Ann Colby Martin, Adjunct Faculty
BA (Hampshire College), CPM, LM, EMT
Susi Delaney, Core Faculty
MA (University of Pennsylvania), CPM
Kristin Effland, Adjunct Faculty
MA (Bastyr University), CPM, LM (Washington State)
Dr. Courtney L. Everson,
Ph.D. (Oregon State University), MA (Oregon State University), BA (Western Washington University), AA (South Puget Sound Community College)
Lynette Elizalde-Robinson, Adjunct Faculty
BS, LM, CPM, CCEd
Cheryl Furer, Adjunct Faculty
CHom (Homeopathy School International), BSM (MCU), CPM
Gina Gerboth, Adjunct Faculty
MPH/Maternal and Child Health Concentration (Colorado School of Public Health), BS (University of Colorado), CPM, RM-Colorado, IBCLC
Kendra Ippel, Adjunct Faculty
MSM (Midwives College of Utah), CPM
Erin Kaspar-Frett, Core Faculty
MSM (Midwives College of Utah), CPM
Dr. Nikia Grayson, Adjunct Faculty
DNP, CNM, Doctorate of Nurse Practice (University of Tennessee Health Science Center), Master of Science in Nursing (University of Tennessee Health Science Center), Post Masters Certificate in Midwifery (Frontier Nursing University), Master of Arts in Medical Anthropology (University of Memphis), Master of Public Health (Howard University), Bachelor of Arts in Communications (Howard University)
April Kline, Adjunct Faculty
CPM, MSM (Midwives College of Utah), BS (Oberlin College), Licensed Massage Therapist, Founder Dar a Luz Network, Inc.
Megan Koontz, CPM, Master of Midwifery (Otago Polytechnic Institute), Bachelor of Midwifery (Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Information and Technology), BA Psychology and Education (Auckland University)
Jes La Bleu, Adjunct Faculty
CPM, ASM, BA Education
Crystal Ogle, Adjunct Faculty
ASM (Midwives College of Utah), BSM (Midwives College of Utah), CPM, LM
Dr. Sonia Ochoa, Adjunct Faculty
Médico Cirujano y Partero (Physician, Surgeon and Obstetrician; Universidad de Guadalajara), Terapéutica Homeopática (Homeopatía de Guadalajara), BST. (C.E.C. y T. No. 25), A.A.S. (LDS Business College), CMA, Instructor Trainer, Instructor (American Red Cross)
MCU students perfecting their suturing skills
Audra Post, Adjunct Faculty
BSM (Midwives College of Utah), CPM (NARM)
Aubrey Ridd, Adjunct Faculty
BA (University of Utah), BSN/RN (Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions), CLE
Delphine Silvermoon, Core Faculty
MSN (Frontier Nursing University), DEM
Melissa Smith-Tourville, Core Faculty
MSW Master of Social Work (University of Wisconsin-Madison), BA Sociology (Fort Hays State University), CPM, LM (WI)
Board of Directors
President
Valerie Hall
CPM, ASM (Midwives College of Utah) LM (Idaho, Wyoming), CCE (AAHCC)
Vice-President
Jodie Palmer
MAE (George Wythe University)
Treasurer
Jennifer Rabins
MBA (University of Phoenix), BS Psychology (University of Phoenix)
Secretary
Rebecca Porter
CPM, ASM (Midwives College of Utah)
Members
Martina Craner
CPM, BS (Colorado State), ASM (Midwives College of Utah)
Terri Demers
R.M. (Canada), BS in Midwifery (Midwives College of Utah), Natural Health Consultant
Amy Jones
AB (UVU), CBE, doula, SHP (SimplyHealed Practitioner), Author (The Way of the Peaceful Birther & A World of Wisdom), Founder/Director Holistic Living Events
Melanie Lennon
CPM (NARM), LM (Wyoming), ASM (Midwives College of Utah, AAS Northwest College), CD (DONA)
Kristi Ridd-Young
BS Public Health Administration (Madison University)
president@midwifery.edu
Click here to apply for a position with MCU’s Board of Directors!
Board Advisors
Legal Advisor
David E. Palmer
BS (University of Utah), JD (S.J. Quinney College of Law, University of Utah)
