Laura Erickson CPM, LDM
Apprenticeship with New Life Birth Center, Austin, Texas 1984-1988
Attended New Life Birth Center School of Midwifery, Austin, Texas 1984-1985
Internship with Casa De Nacimiento, El Paso, Texas 1986 (3 months)
Established Lakes Area Midwifery, Blomkest, Minnesota 1989
Worked as a community midwife at Lakes Area Midwifery from 1989- June of 2002. During that time Laura attended 30-50 births a year. Including births attended during her training Laura has attended approximately 700 births.
From June of 2002 to August of 2004 Laura was the clinical director and supervising midwife at Birthingway College of Midwifery. The college discontinued the on-site birth center and is now more academically focused. Laura was also an instructor at Birthingway.
In September of 2004 Laura opened Alma Midwifery in central Portland. This was a huge endeavor and would not have happened without the help of many friends and the support of people who believe in the Midwifery Model of Care. Laura serves as director of Alma and continues to practice as a licensed midwife. After being involved in birth for over twenty years she stills loves working with families around birth time!
Personal birth experience includes four children birthed at home from 1984-1997 with the help of midwives. They are the loves of her life and are named Dylan, Chloe, Noah and Liam.
Professional Organizations: Member Midwives Alliance of North America, Member of the Association of Texas Midwives, Board Member of the Minnesota Midwives Guild, President of the Minnesota Council for Certified Professional Midwives.
Midwifery Boards: Laura has served on several boards concerned with the licensure of midwives, rule writing and midwifery advisory. Currently she is serving on a revision board for updating rules for birth centers.
Hobbies and life outside of Alma: Laura, her husband Todd, three children and various pets live about 15 minutes from Alma. Hearth and home are very dear to Laura. She enjoys family, friends, celebration, the natural world, hiking, camping, backpacking, swimming, biking and all types of art. Greeting new beings is pretty high on her list of good times.
Kate Howe, CPM, LDM, BSM
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Education and Experience 1997- 2001 Caring Support for the Whole Family, Postpartum Doula Services. 1999- 2005 Caring Support for the Whole Family, Birth Doula Services. Certified as a birth doula through Doulas of North America (CD, DONA) in 2000. 1999- 2003 Doula Circle, a non-profit organization designed to empower and support teen moms. Worked for this organization in many capacities including Birth Doula, Doula trainer, Board of Directors Member, and President of the Board of Directors. |
2000- 2005 Birthingway College of Midwifery. Graduated with a Certificate of Midwifery and as a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) through the North American Registry of Midwives.
2002- 2004 Birthingway Midwifery Services. Apprenticeship and Internship.
2004- 2005 Alma Midwifery Services. Helped Laura Erickson open Alma Birth Center and completed Internship.
2007 Birthingway College of Midwifery. Completed Bachelor of Science in Midwifery.
2004- current Alma Midwifery Services. Office manager and administrator.
2005- current Alma Midwifery Services. Staff Midwife.
Personal Birth Experience:
Kate has two fantastic and imaginative children. Her son Aidan was born in the hospital and her daughter Lili was born at home. Her personal birth experiences led her down the path to midwifery.
Hobbies and Interests:
When she isn't working at Alma, Kate enjoys being outside biking, camping, hiking and swimming with her family. She also loves eating her husband’s excellent gourmet cooking. Her past experience in the performing arts continues to influence her daily life in many ways.
Melissa Gordon-Magnus, CPM
Melissa is delighted to be a new member in the team of midwives at Alma! After helping to open the birth center practice, her familiarity and background made this new role a natural progression. She hopes to continue her personal and midwifery experience and growth here in her local community for many years to come.
Background and Experience
Melissa's nature as a doula was recognized when her 1st sister was born back in 1985. She continued finding her way into pregnancy and birth in her family and social community, as both a birth and postpartum doula, until her first pregnancy, when her world outlook opened up to the role of a midwife. Beginning with self-study in alternative modalities of healthcare, specializing in women's health and choices, she began attending births in midwifery apprenticeship in 1997. While in school, she gave birth to 2 more children, and continued both classroom education and apprenticeship. In 2006, Melissa received her CPM through the North American Registry of Midwives, completed her internship with Laura Erickson at Alma Midwifery, and graduated from Birthingway College of Midwifery. Since, Melissa has continued to practice here at Alma, and also participated in births with community midwives.
1998~ Received certification as a birth and postpartum doula through DONA, Doulas of North America.
1999-2006~ Attended Birthingway College of Midwifery, also attended births as an apprentice/intern with community midwives.
2003-2004~ Apprenticeship with Birthingway Birth Services.
2004~ Helped open Alma Midwifery Service with Laura Erickson as an apprentice.
2004-2006~ Internship at Alma, completed in June of 2006.
2006-current~ Worked as an independent midwife for both Alma Midwifery and Roots Midwifery Service.
Personal Birth Experience and Mission
Melissa is the proud mother to 3 bright, spirited children, ages 5, 6, and 10. Currently a Buckman mom, she marvels at the beauty of living and working within a small, local triangle. Her first child, Willow, was born in the hospital. Both Alder and Madrona were born at home in the water. Her combination of experiences, giving birth in the home and hospital environments, lends great compassion and understanding into the complex nature of where and how babies come out. Melissa is dedicated to supporting women through their childbearing year in the midwifery model of care, and facilitating gentle birth experiences.
Personal Interests
These are the busy years as a mother! Melissa enjoys getting out into nature and hiking, walking, learning, and breathing. She could easily be spotted in her local coffee shops, engaged in conversation or simply bringing you a smile. She loves to dance, sight-see, travel, and generally keep active.
Michele Zimmerman-Pike, CNM, NP
Michele's bio coming soon!
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~ ALMA Midwifery Service ~ Licensed Birth Center ~ Homebirth ~ Waterbirth ~ ~ Phone 503.233.3001 ~ FAX 503.233.7686 ~ 1608 SE Ankeny St. Portland, OR. 97214 |
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