About Kate
My interest in the health of women and their children began 20 years ago when I first discovered the feminist health movement and the seminal work “Our Bodies Ourselves.” I was excited by the idea that women and their health care providers can be partners in care; that choice lies at the heart of every health care decision; and that information does not need to flow in only one direction – provider to “patient.” Midwifery care perfectly embodies the values of respect, trust, and choice. I am truly honored to accompany women on their journey of pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood.
I received my midwifery education through the Association of Texas Midwives training program and a two-year clinical apprenticeship. I have been attending homebirths since 1998. After becoming a licensed midwife in 2000, I ran my own practice in San Antonio until moving to Portland. During this time in San Antonio I also was a founder and Executive Director of the Martinez Street Women’s Center, a non-profit resource center for women and girls and served on the board of the Association of Texas Midwives as a regional representative and legislative coordinator.
I began my homebirth practice in Portland after receiving my Oregon Midwifery License in 2002. I am a Certified Professional Midwife through the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM). I am a member of the Advocacy council of the Oregon Midwifery Council, serving as Secretary/Treasurer. I am also an active member of the Midwives Alliance of North America.
Before becoming a midwife, I graduated from the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration with a master’s degree in health administration studies. My focus was adolescent health, women’s health, and maternal and child health. I worked for several nonprofit health care advocacy organizations in Chicago including coordinating the Illinois Birth Center Task Force for an organization called Health and Medicine Policy Research Group. There I met some amazing midwives and my journey into midwifery began.
My background also includes teaching experience. In my work with women’s health organizations I conducted community maternal and child health worker and breastfeeding peer educator courses. For the past three years I’ve been training as a mentor in Birthing From Within childbirth preparation.
