Amanda Cordocedo
she/her/hers
I am originally from Vancouver, BC and am of Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Chilean and European descent. I have long been interested in reproductive health and was a member of the birth community as a doula prior to beginning my education at McMaster University.
I have always felt that everyone has the right to safe, accessible, and compassionate healthcare. I am grateful that this passion led me to midwifery; a profession in which I can co-create that quality of healthcare with clients and colleagues. I aim to provide midwifery care that reflects these beliefs and holds space for people to feel empowered in their journey.
Since graduating in 2015 I have served a diverse clientele working as a registered midwife in Toronto. I fell in love with the Georgian Bay area and what it has to offer while spending time with Midwives Nottawasaga during a student placement. I’m thrilled to now be returning to the practice, and the community here in Collingwood. My family and I are looking forward to being part of a smaller community and building relationships here, all while getting to enjoy the great outdoors! I look forward to getting to know many of you during our time together.
Julie Doldersum
she/her/hers
I’m a part-time midwife and a full-time mama to 2 fantastic kids who afforded me the opportunity to experience 1 cesarean birth and 1 VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). I’ve been a birth worker for more than 20 years as both a midwife and as an obstetrical nurse, and have caught babies on several diverse continents through my work with Doctors Without Borders. Here’s what I’ve learned:
If you want to feel good in your pregnancy and have an efficient birth you’ve got to move your body! Sedentary positions can sometimes lead to babe getting into a wonky position in utero, resulting in more of the common discomforts of pregnancy and a longer pushing stage of labor.
Drink water! Yes you’ll have to pee but drinking more will actually help you to redistribute the fluid that’s making your feet feel tight and peeing often helps prevent bladder infections by flushing things out.
Go to bed early! Laying down will allow you to acquaint yourself better with your baby’s movements and you’ll be glad that you logged a few hours before midnight because it’s true that most labors commence in the wee hours of the night.
Smile! It’s contagious . And if you don’t feel like smiling come talk to me or one of my colleagues. Perinatal mood disorders can affect anyone and there’s lots of help available in our amazing community!!
Thank you for inviting me to be involved in your pregnancy. I consider it an honor to be a guardian at your birth.
Sandra Fincham
she/her/hers
I graduated from the Laurentian Midwifery Programme in June 2009. Growing up, I always had a passion and interest in women's health issues, and primarily the experience of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. I feel very privileged to be included in your experience.
Prior to commencing midwifery, I received an undergraduate honours degree in Psychology at York University and during that time I was able to gain knowledge about midwives as primary health care providers. I realized the philosophy of midwifery care was something I really wanted to be a part of. Throughout my education, I was able to work with midwives in Owen Sound and spent the majority of placement in Sudbury. I also did placements in Scarborough, Mount Sinai Hospital in the NICU and with Jack Newman's breastfeeding clinic. While living in Toronto, I volunteered as a labour support person through an organization called Jessie's Centre.
I began working with Midwives Nottawasaga in June 2009.
Natalie Kirby
she/her/hers
I was born and raised in North Bay, Ontario and discovered my passion for growing bellies and beautiful babies as a young teenager when I was fortunate enough to attend my cousin's birth.
I was hooked! I completed my Bachelor of Life Science degree at McMaster University in 2005 then graduated from the Midwifery Education programme at Laurentian University in April 2009 and have been practicing ever since.
I have learned and practiced in Sudbury, Toronto, North Bay, Ottawa and Tanzania. I moved to Collingwood in 2010 and it is still one of the best decisions I have ever made. In 2016 I completed a Masters of Health Science Education with a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration. I'm head midwife at CGMH, and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. I'm also Clinic Lead of the new hospital outpatient program, Healthy Babies, Happy Families, which offers well baby care and breastfeeding support to all babies born at CGMH.
When I'm not busy catching babies, I spend most of my time outdoors, and with my family. I'm mom to 2 beautiful, energetic boys. We spend lots of time as a family outdoors, enjoying all of the wonderful local activities and scenery.
Midwifery is such a rewarding career and I feel truly blessed to be a part of such a special time in people's lives. Thank you!
Lilly Martin
she/her/hers/they/them/theirs
I have been drawn to pregnancy and birth for as long as I can remember. As a 7 year old I was fascinated by my mother’s growing belly during her pregnancy with my little sister. I was disappointed that I wasn’t allowed to attend her birth, but that was the norm back in the ‘70s. Little did I know that when I grew up, I’d get to go to as many births as I wanted.
In my early 20’s I completed a degree in English Literature and Women’s Studies at Queen’s University in Kingston. I focused much of my studies around reproductive issues. I learned about the social and cultural context of childbearing and reproduction. It was during this time that I discovered midwives and their approach to childbirth.
While living in Kingston I worked as a bookseller at a wonderful independent bookstore. I was sure that I wanted to be a midwife, but in 1994, the Midwifery Education Programme was brand new and difficult to get into. I needed to broaden my experience, so I decided to backpack around the world on my own. A year and a half later when I got home, I moved to Toronto and trained as a doula with Penny Simkin and Pam England, among other amazing teachers. For the next five years I supported pregnant adults and teenagers during pregnancy, labour and birth, and the postpartum. I was also enrolled in the Childbirth Educator’s Programme at Humber College and completed several courses until 2000 when I was accepted into the MEP at Ryerson, and began my midwifery degree. Six years later I graduated and practiced with Riverdale Community Midwives in the east end of Toronto for my new registrant year. When my first year of practice was complete, I realized it was time to leave the city and pursue my dream of returning to a rural area, as I grew up in Caledon. My family and I moved to the Creemore area in 2009, and we love it here.
In addition to my role at Midwives Nottawasaga, for the past 9 years I have been an elected member of the Council of the College of Midwives of Ontario (CMO), which regulates the profession of midwifery in the public interest. I sit as chair of the CMO Quality Assurance Committee, and as a member of the Complaints committee and the Discipline and Fitness to Practice Committees. I’m also an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and work in the Healthy Babies, Happy Families Well Baby Clinic at CGMH. I'm currently enrolled in postgraduate studies at the University of Alberta in the Graduate Certificate in Sexual Health program. I believe that access to comprehensive, inclusive, sex-positive and evidence-based sex education is a basic human right across the lifespan.
In my time off, I love to travel and go on adventures in nature or culture. Sometimes solo, sometimes with my one or both of my kids (my son is 19 and my daughter is 14), or my partner, or any combination thereof. I love learning and adventure!
I learn something from every family and every birth, and I am grateful for the opportunity to do this work.
Allison Rigney
she/her/hers
My interest in pregnancy started at a young age and was initially inspired by growing up on a farm and delivering calves in Grey County.
Before midwifery I completed a degree in kinesiology at Western University. Although physical activity and nutrition continues to be a strong interest of mine, I found myself choosing courses as Western solely based on the fact that there was a pregnancy component involved. I then went on to complete my midwifery degree from McMaster University, and always had hopes of working in a smaller community close to home.
I have spent time training and practicing midwifery in Brampton, Owen Sound, Hamilton, Rwanda, Barrie, and most recently with Alliston Midwives. I am happy for all the experiences I have had previously, but am very excited to now be a part of Midwives Nottawasaga. I feel fortunate that I get to spend my time with this population, and look forward to all the clients yet to come!
Meghan Aubry
she/her/hers
I grew up locally in Stayner and Wasaga Beach with my military parents and three sisters. Always hoping to someday make a difference in people's lives and being a very compassionate person, I had always hoped to work in healthcare. I was lucky enough to stumble upon the field of midwifery when filling out my university applications. After learning of what the profession entails, I did further research and immediately fell in love with the philosophy of care. I enrolled in the Midwifery Education Program and immediately knew I was starting a career in an amazing profession.
During my time at McMaster University I completed my clinical placements in Burlington and the Ottawa Valley and also branched out from a hospital setting to work with nurse practitioners at Canadian Forces Base Borden to help provide prenatal care to female military officers. Upon graduating 2016, I began work in Eastern Ontario in the city of Cornwall. Here I was able to serve a large farming community as well as a significant underprivileged population, but I had always hoped to make my way home and serve the people in my home community.
I am beyond thrilled to come back home and help provide maternity and neonatal care to the members of this community. After spending the past 10 years in larger city centers I am looking forward to getting back to my small-town roots. In my free time I enjoy reading, clogging, crocheting, making music, and doing puzzles (which seems to make others chuckle). Whenever I get the chance, I love to visit my parents and spend time with them relaxing and playing cards.
I am very eager to join the wonderful team at Midwives Nottawasaga and look forward to being a part of your birth story!
Francine Maitland
she/her/hers
Hello, my name is Francine Maitland. I will be joining Midwives Nottawasaga in June 2021. I am very excited to be moving to Collingwood from Toronto where I have spent the past several years studying midwifery at Ryerson University.
I was born into the hands of midwives in my home country of Holland and then was moved to
Canada as an infant. I am a proud mom of two girls, who are now in university and while I loved my time at home with them, I am enjoying being fully engaged supporting mothers as a
midwife. I grew up in Toronto, went to Western University and then worked and lived in New York City for 15 years. While living in New York, I discovered my passion for midwifery
delivering my first baby as an EMT while I worked as part of a rural ambulance corps in Orange county, just outside of New York City.
I love the continuity of care provided by Ontario midwives and value the opportunity to get to know clients so that they get the best possible care. In addition to midwifery, I have an interest
in the healing power of food. I love to bake and in my free time I enjoy playing tennis, bridge and backgammon, going for long walks with my dog Cooper and cycling.
Kristen Dennis
she/her/hers
I am so excited to be joining Midwives Nottawasaga in the spring of 2022! I grew up in Barrie, and have lived all of my adult life in Toronto, where I moved to attend University when I was 19. I received my Bachelor of Health Sciences in Midwifery with Honours from Ryerson University in 2009, and haven’t budged from my position at Community Midwives of Toronto since 2009, where I’ve been a practice partner since 2015. My previous education includes a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ryerson University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from York University. I was the recipient of the Murray and Eleanor Enkin Midwifery Graduation Excellence Award for 2008-2009, and I currently serve on the Board of Directors of The Toronto Birth Centre, which I will greatly miss leaving the Toronto area. I particularly cherish my role as a clinical preceptor at the Midwifery Education Program.
On a personal note, I have three kids, who are all the best ever, and range in ages from 19 to 8. They gave me incredible knowledge and experience in birthing from Cesarian section to 2 homebirths, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I particularly have an interest in VBAC (Vaginal Birth after Cesarean), mental health challenges/addictions in pregnancy and postpartum, and prenatal teaching. When I’m not working you can likely find me in the garden (indoor and outdoor), or jumping in the lake with my family and my dog, who is perhaps even more excited than I am for this change!
Barbara Hopkins
she/her/hers
Hi, my name is Barb, and I am a fourth-year midwifery student in the French stream at Laurentian University in Sudbury. I am originally from Welland Ontario where I attended elementary school in full French and high school in immersion. I have been attending university for the past five years and completed a year of liberal sciences and a year of nursing before commencing my journey in the midwifery education program. Midwifery has been an interest of mine since a young age when I was able to observe a family friend deliver a baby with support from midwives. I enjoy the women centered approach as well as informed choice. Informed choice has always been a big part of my life as I believe that everyone should have a say in their care plan. When I am not studying, I enjoy going to the gym and spending time outdoors. I also find joy in reading and coloring. I am beyond thankful for this great experience and look forward to meeting everyone who provides me with the opportunity to be a part of their unique birth experience with Midwives Nottawasaga from May 2021 to April 2022.
Bonjour, je m’appelle Barb et je suis une étudiante en quatrième année du programme de formation de sage-femme à la Laurentienne à Sudbury. Je viens originalement de Welland ou j’ai assisté à une école primaire en français et a une école secondaire en immersion. J’assiste à l’université Laurentienne depuis cinq ans et j’ai complété un an en sciences libérales et un an en sciences infirmières avant de commencer mon trajet dans le programme de sages-femmes. L’emploi de sages-femmes m’intéresse depuis un jeune âge quand j’ai pu observer un ami familial accoucher avec sages-femmes. J’aime l’approche centre sur les femmes dans la profession ainsi que le choix informe. Le choix informe est important car je crois que tout le monde devrait avoir le choix dans leurs soins. Quand je n’étudie pas j’aime aller au gym et passer du temps dehors. J’aime aussi lire ainsi que colorer. Je suis très reconnaissant pour cette expérience et j’ai hâte à rencontrer tous les individus qui m’invite à faire partie de leur expérience de grossesse unique au sages-femmes de Nottawasaga de Mai 2021 a Avril 2022.
Hailea Caldwell, Midwifery Student
Jennifer Jansen
she/her/hers
I was born and raised just outside London Ontario, and grew up in the family business of flowers and plants with 4 acres of greenhouses.
In high school I developed a love of theatre and ran away to the city for 4 years of university and a subsequent 10 years of working as a Stage Manager and Production Manager for the arts.
In 2005, when conversations of making and raising babies came about with my new husband, we decided the city wasn’t where we wanted to be, and we moved just north of Shelburne. I gave birth to both my babies there, one in the comfort of my own home with the help of an amazing team of midwives!
I now live near Creemore, with my partner and 2 boys, and a small array of farm animals. I spend my free time hiking and gardening, and work as a bookkeeper, an artist, and am thrilled to be joining the midwives full time as Practice Administrator.
Manon Rodrigues
she/her/hers
Thank you for including me in your journey! My purpose is to help others. I have over 20 years of administration experience in various healthcare fields, including Physiotherapy, Internal Medicine, and Obstetrics and Gynaecology. I am honoured to be at Midwives Nottawasaga in a role where I can use my strengths and skills to support clients, midwives, and students. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking, being outdoors, and volunteering with a local youth group.
Kelly Metheral
she/her/hers
I have been CEO of the Metheral household for 25 years. The two main traits this experience has fostered in me are a passion for helping people and my organizational skills, both of which I am thrilled to bring with me to Midwives Nottawasaga.