About Us
Meet Our Staff
Heather Wood, Registered Midwife
Lorna and I have known each other since the 1990s, studying and graduating together from the McMaster University Midwifery Education Program in Hamilton, Ontario. I am originally from Saskatchewan, where I was an apprentice midwife for several years, as well as a doula, prenatal class instructor, community activist, writer and editor.
As a full-time midwife I have served a diversity of women and families. Being with women as they birth with strength and dignity makes this work tremendously rewarding.
I am very pleased to resettle in Victoria. Victoria and Vancouver Island are very familiar to me, having spent many holidays with family visiting and exploring the area.
Lorna J. McRae, Registered Midwife
I have been working with Heather since we studied together at McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario, to become registered midwives in the late 1990s.
We have both been working with women and families for many more years than that. I used to be a social worker involved in community development and anti-violence work.
I love my work. It is amazing to see such strength of women and families everyday! Midwifery is practical work and clinical excellence put together.
Heather Nelson, Registered Midwife
It is an ongoing privilege to be working with women and their families at Access Midwifery and Family Care, here in my hometown of Victoria. And a pleasure to work with such skilled and committed colleagues on a daily basis.
I am a graduate of the University of British Columbia’s Midwifery Education Program and have had the privilege of being mentored by midwives and other maternity care providers in the Lower Mainland, on Salt Spring Island, in Uganda, and here in Victoria.
In the summer of 2009, my son Rowan was born at home, into the caring and capable hands of our midwife. I return to my midwifery practice with a deepened appreciation of the wonder, joy, and challenge that accompany pregnancy and the arrival of a new babe. I look forward to supporting you and your family on your journey.
Ilana Stanger-Ross, Registered Midwife
(Joining the practice July 1, 2010)
I'm so pleased to be joining the Access team as a registered midwife.
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).
I have two young daughters, Eva and Tillie. I've spent the last
several years immersed in the joys and
challenges of pregnancy and parenting as a clinician and as a mother,
and feel immensely privileged to be part of such an important
time in the lives of women and their families.
Hope Schreiber NP
Nurse Practioner
It is so exciting for me to join the Access Midwifery team. I've been working with women and families for over 15 years.
As a registered nurse I worked in labour and delivery.
Since 2003 I've been certified as a nurse
practitioner (NP) for both family and women's health care.
My NP experiences have given me opportunities to work with many different clients in drug/alcohol treatment, sexual health, HIV and perinatal mental health.
To find out more about my practice or to contact me, please visit my information page here on the Access Midwifery & Family Care website.
Lynn Guengerich NP
Nurse Practioner
My name is Lynn Guengerich and I am a pediatric nurse practitioner.
I am very excited to join Access Midwifery & Family Care and hope I can add value to the good work and care already available.
I have been a nurse for 25 years and a nurse practitioner for the last 16, all of that time spent working with children and their families.
I believe there is nothing more important than our children and my purpose is to partner with parents and other caregivers to raise healthy children. By the way, my dog's name is Maggie.
MaryLou McRae
Office Administrator
My name is MaryLou McRae, and I’m the Office Administrator at Access Midwifery. I’m very excited to be a part of such a vibrant and welcoming environment for parents and their children.
My background is in office administration. I have worked on training, education and special projects for different kinds of companies, including outdoor wilderness and employment counseling. I have also worked as a human resources assistant and legislative editor.
I have lived in B.C. since 1987 and on Vancouver Island since 1996. My partner and I have two children, Joseph and Liam, who are now in elementary school.
Kazia Highton
Summer Office Administrator
My name is Kazia Highton and I will be the Office Administrator at Access Midwifery & Family Care for the summer of 2010.
I am a third year education student at the University of Victoria studying to become an elementary school teacher.
It is a real pleasure to work in an environment where there are wonderful babies everywhere, all the time!
I am pleased to be involved in the process of assisting mothers and families during their time with the midwives and nurse practitioners.
Counsellor
Stephanie Capyk
Hi there, my name is Stephanie.
I have a lifelong passion for supporting women and families during big life transitions – like having babies and starting on a healing journey.
I began as a doula about fifteen years ago, and for the past twelve years, I have worked in counselling centres supporting women and families to develop healthier relationships and to heal from trauma.
As a graduate student in counselling psychology, I hope to learn more about supporting families in the transition to parenthood, with all its joys and challenges!
Midwifery Alumna
Lydia Szymanski
(August 2009 - April 2010)
Hello, my name is Lydia and I am a graduate of UBC’s Midwifery Education Program. I am excited to be working at Access Midwifery while Heather Nelson is away.
Before becoming a midwife I worked as a registered dietitian, doula and counsellor in the Healthy Pregnancy Outreach Program in Squamish. Work with women and families in the Outreach Program inspired me to become a midwife.
Over the past four years I’ve been privileged to share in the care of hundreds of women and have attended nearly 200 births.
I look forward to supporting you through pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood.
Midwifery Alumna - Lauren MacHattie
January 2010- April 2010
Hello! I am in my third year of the UBC Midwifery Education Program. I am thrilled to be learning from Lorna McRae and her practice partners at Access Midwifery this spring. 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.
From the age of 10, I have wanted to care for expectant women and families. I am drawn to midwifery as a career because I want to offer pregnant women holistic and empowering health care, while respecting womens' beliefs, intuitions, choices, and knowledge of their own bodies.
As a student midwife, I am honoured to learn from and care for pregnant women and their families, with the generous support and guidance of my mentors. Taking part in your midwifery care is deeply meaningful to me, and I am truly thankful for the opportunity to participate in your experience.
Nursing Alumna - Shauna Macdonald
September 2009- December 2009
Hello! My name is Shauna MacDonald and I am in my 25th year of life and 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. My experience in India was amazing and wonderful, as well as difficult. I was able to see truly how delicate a new family is and what an amazing experience it is to be a part of it. Following my experience in India I was placed in Obstetrics, where my passion was consolidated and I really knew where I wanted to go in nursing. I have recently just completed the MacEwan College breastfeeding course, and in September I will be starting my specialty courses in pediatrics acute care, through BCIT.
Although I don’t have any children myself, I look forward to one day being a mother. For the time being it is my great pleasure and privilege to be involved in such a momentous part of the lives of others. I am very excited to be working with and learning from the midwives and moms at Access Midwifery.
Midwifery Alumna- Jody
Medernach
September 2008-April 2009
In 2003, the beautiful home birth of my son inspired me to leave my career as a public servant to become a midwife. The first step in my journey began by attending the Douglas College doula training program. I attended births as a volunteer doula providing labour support. The amazing women I supported and the births they allowed me to share with them and their families confirmed my desire to become a midwife.
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.
In terms of my academic background, I have a Bachelor of Arts (Regina) and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Victoria. While completing the MPA, I began working for the Province of British Columbia, where I have continued to work in various capacities for eight years.
I am so grateful to be a part of the childbearing experiences of women and their families at Access Midwifery. I know that each birth and each mother and family I work with have so much to teach me.
- Read Jody's blog about midwifery in Uganda during the summer of 2009
Midwifery Alumna - Leah Seibert
Leah was with us in 2006-2007
I'm a student midwife in my third year of the four-year-long midwifery program at UBC. I've wanted to do this work since I was 15 years old and first learned what a midwife was.
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.
I'm delighted to be in Victoria working with and learning from the midwives and moms at Access Midwifery. It is an incredible privilege to be part of such an important time in the lives of women and their families.
Midwifery Alumna -
Cora Beitel
(Cora was with us in 2007)
Hello, my name is Cora Beitel and 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.
Around the time that I moved to Vancouver in 2000, I began presenting workshops on menstrual health and fertility awareness. It was at this time that I trained and began working as a doula, breastfeeding counsellor and youth counsellor in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Healthcare and caregiving have always been central themes in my life, work and community involvement. These experiences were also part of my journey towards midwifery education.
I have a 3 year old son who was born at home. After his birth I felt ready to go back to school and start my midwifery education.
I look forward to bringing my life experience as well as the skills that I have learned in the UBC Midwifery Program to the Access Midwifery practice, where I will continue to learn from the midwives and from you, the women and families.
Nursing Alumna - Shauna Madsen
January 2009-April 2009
Hello!
My name is Shauna Madsen and 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. My nursing practice
has taken me to various surgical and medical units, as well as neurosciences and obstetrics. I am now excited to shift my focus towards community health and well being through this experience with Access Midwifery.
My newest adventure in life is Teya, my 17 month old daughter! We had an incredible birth experience with a midwife in the hospital. I am looking forward to learning from and being part of your journey with midwifery.
Office Alumna
Karri Robinson
June 2009 - September 2009
For the summer of 2009, I am the Office Administrator at Access Midwifery and Family Care. This position is shared between Access and the FASD Community Circle of Victoria, and I am excited to be involved with both of these wonderful organizations.
I’m a third year Women’s Studies student at UVic, and as such, 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.
(Although, I haven’t ruled out being a rock-star or an astronaut.)
Along with the midwives, I will do my best to ensure a smooth transition during the move of our office to the new location next door. I look forward to meeting many of the Access clients, and working with the midwives to provide the best service for all moms & babes during their special times!