About Us
Our Alumnae
Access Midwifery & Family Care is proud to be able to integrate student midwives, nurse practitioners and nurses into our clinic routine. And we like to think that their time with us has helped to make them well-rounded and caring health care professionals.
Diane Shepherd
Nurse Practitioner Student (Sept 2011 - December 2011)
I have been an RN for 18 years with experience in emergency care, military flight nursing and as an emergency nurse practitioner in the UK. In my free time I enjoy keeping fit, flying and playing golf. My husband and I moved to Victoria from the UK 4 years ago and we are now absolutely hooked on the place.
Ilana Stanger-Ross
New Registrant Midwife (July 2010 - July 2011)
I'm originally from Brooklyn, New York, but Victoria has been my home for the past five years. I graduated from the Midwifery Education Program at UBC, and also hold a Bachelors degree from Columbia University (NYC) and a Masters degree from Temple University (Philadelphia).
Astrid Fritzsche
Midwifery Student (Summer 2011)
I am a third-year student midwife at the University of British Columbia. I come from an academic background in Women’s Health, and hold a BSc degree from UBC in Genetics and Biopsychology, with a minor in Women’s Studies.
Caitlin Wright
Office Administrator Summer Student (Summer 2011)
Born and raised in Victoria, BC, I am currently attending the University of Victoria in pursuit of a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Geography.
Vickie Laliotis
Social Media Coordinator Summer Student (Summer 2011)
I am a full-time journalism student at Grant MacEwan University in Alberta. I have a blog and a passion to explore and use social media. I look forward to helping Access Midwifery & Family care to have a presence on Twitter, Facebook and other social media.
Elizabeth Morrison
Midwifery Student (February-April 2011)
I am a second year student in the midwifery program at the University of British Columbia. I was first exposed to caring for pregnant women while working with a women’s organization in Zambia, and have since attended births as a doula. I hold a degree in history and have particular interest in women’s studies.
Kazia Highton
Office Administrator Summer Student (June-September 2010)
I am a third year education student at the University of Victoria studying to become an elementary school teacher.
Lauren MacHattie
Midwifery Student (January 2010- April 2010)
I am in my third year of the UBC Midwifery Education Program. I grew up near Ottawa, and have been living in B.C. for three years. After moving to B.C., I attended the University of Victoria and was working toward a combined degree in Biology and Psychology when I was accepted into the UBC Midwifery Program.
Lydia Szymanski
New Registrant/Locum Midwife (August 2009 - April 2010)
I am a graduate of UBC’s Midwifery Education Program. Before becoming a midwife I worked as a registered dietitian, doula and counsellor in the Healthy Pregnancy Outreach Program in Squamish.
Karri Robinson
Office Administrator Summer Student (June-September 2009)
This position is shared between Access and the FASD Community Circle of Victoria. I’m a third year Women’s Studies student at UVic. I have a keen interest in the reproductive health of women and their families. After graduation, I look forward to doing social justice work in a field serving women and children in my local community.
Shauna Madsen
Nursing Student (January 2009-April 2009)
I am currently in my third year of RN studies at the University of Victoria. Having grown up on Vancouver Island I am happy to be back and pursuing my nursing studies here.
Shauna Macdonald
Nursing Student (September 2009- December 2009)
I am in my 4th Year of RN studies at UVIC. I grew up in Saskatoon and moved to Victoria in 2005 to pursue my career as a nurse. While in the nursing program I have had various practice placements in hospitals and in community health at a middle school. Last summer I did a six-week practicum on the Pediatrics unit in Derhadun, India.
Jody
Medernach
Midwifery Student (September 2008-April 2009)
After the home birth of my daughter in 2005, I applied to the University of British Columbia midwifery program and began formal study in 2006. Having completed three academic terms in Vancouver, my first clinical placement was in Nanaimo. I am thrilled to be completing the third year of the Bachelor of Midwifery degree at home in Victoria. I have a Bachelor of Arts (Regina) and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Victoria.
Leah Seibert
Midwifery Student (September 2006-April 2007
I am in my third year of the four-year-long midwifery program at UBC. After high school, I spent several years working and travelling before I felt ready for the adventure of heading back to school to become a midwife.
Cora Beitel
Midwifery Student (February-April 2007)
I am a second year midwifery student at UBC. I grew up in Montreal and am fluent in French as a result of my education in Quebec. Healthcare and caregiving have always been central themes in my life, work and community involvement.