Elvira was fascinated by birth during her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Russia. She further enriched her medical knowledge by participating in research in Genetics that resulted in her PhD degree. After coming to Canada, she fell in love with Midwifery’s unique approach to pregnancy and childbirth. She received her Bachelor of Health Sciences in Midwifery from McMaster University in 2014 and has been working with Family Care Midwives ever since. She is fluent in Russian and English.

Hi! I’m Hillary and I am so excited to be a part of your care. Prior to midwifery, I attended Western University where I studied Health Sciences and played on the varsity soccer team. After graduation, I was accepted into the midwifery program at Toronto Metropolitan University. I have been working at Family Care Midwives clinic ever since I graduated in 2020. Having been born and raised in York Region, I feel connected to this community. I was driven to pursue midwifery as it intertwines aspects of health care that resonate with me: supporting and educating people to make choices that reflect their wants/needs, focusing on science and reproductive health, and building meaningful relationships. I am constantly in awe with what the body can do and how each birth unfolds. I deliver midwifery care in English and understand some Cantonese. In my spare time I love travelling, camping, vintage shopping, crocheting, and pottery.

Jackie completed her first degree in Physical Anthropology at the University of Toronto in 1999 and was hooked on the pursuit of midwifery following several years of being a doula with teen parents. She graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences in Midwifery in 2009 from the Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) and has been practicing with Family Care Midwives since it opened in 2010. She is a partner of the practice and also the Head Midwife at Cortellucci Vaughan. She has one amazing daughter and in her spare time, enjoys reading and puzzles. She delivers midwifery care in English, understands some French, and uses the pronouns she/her.

Kara grew up in Southern Ontario and discovered her love for midwifery after shadowing a midwife. She went to Laurentian University and graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences degree in Midwifery in 2020. Since graduating, Kara worked in Durham and then joined Family Care Midwives in 2022. She is passionate about empowering women to make decisions about their own healthcare. Kara has a special interest in working with teenage populations and young mothers. In her spare time, Kara can be found hanging out with her cat, or discovering new food spots around the area. She delivers care in English and has pronouns she/her.

Lori first graduated with an honours Bachelor of Science in Human Biology in 1997 followed by a Bachelor of Education in 1998. She taught high school biology for 18 years and always had at the back of her mind the thought of a career in health care. Following the incredible experience of having a midwife with her third child, Lori decided to pursue another degree, this time in midwifery. She graduated in 2020 and originally practiced in the North York area. She joined Family Care Midwives in the fall of 2021 and is looking forward to caring for you. She is fluent in English, speaks some Hebrew, and some Spanish.

Before completing her Midwifery degree from Laurentian University, Marcia worked in the finance industry for 15 years. Through the birth of her own five children, she developed a passion to support and nurture other families throughout their own pregnancies and parenting journeys. Marcia graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences degree in Midwifery in 2021 from Laurentian University and joined Family Care Midwives first as a clerk student and later as a Registered Midwife in 2022. Marcia has called York Region home since she was a child and is excited to work within the community where she resides. She strives to ensure her clients feel empowered and respected throughout their child-birthing experience. When Marcia is not caring for her clients, she can be found cheering her children on from the stands at the hockey rink. Marcia loves staying active by playing soccer, ball hockey and running. Quiet moments are spent knitting and her most recent adventure is learning the art of ceramics. She delivers midwifery care in English.

Hello! My name is Marie-Josée, though I go by Maria or M.J. I grew up in Brampton, ON, and continue to call Treaty 19 Territory home. I completed my midwifery studies in 2022, graduating with an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences in Midwifery with distinction from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), and have been working with Family Care Midwives since this time. During my midwifery training, I had the wonderful opportunity to serve families throughout the GTA, including in North Toronto, Mississauga, as well as Markham. Prior to entering the Midwifery Education Program, I worked in a bookstore for 9 years and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts and Art History, along with a Certificate in Indigenous studies, both from York University. Alongside my undergraduate degree, I was also studying concurrently to become a teacher, and enjoyed working as a camp counsellor and preschool instructor for many years. It was after the birth of my first daughter under the care of incredible midwives that I made the choice to follow in the footsteps of my maternal great-great grandmother, who was also a midwife in Italy. When not catching babies, I enjoy travelling, cooking, reading, creating art, and spending time with my wonderful daughters and partner. I am honoured to be a part of this sacred time in your life, and look forward to meeting you!

Masoudeh was born and raised in Iran. She worked as an Obstetrician/Gynecologist for 12 years before immigrating to Canada. She then completed the International Midwifery Pre-Registration Program through the Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) in 2010 and has worked as a midwife in Hamilton for 10 years. Masoudeh is inspired by midwifery care in Canada, it philosophy of care, the support for informed choice and a person’s right to make decisions about their own body and health care. Masoudeh joined Family Care Midwives in 2023 and is looking forward to working in York Region with you. She can provide care in both English and Farsi.

Mei practiced as a Midwife in China for 4 years prior to pursing a degree from Zhongshan Medical University as an Obstetrician where she practiced for another 4 years. She then immigrated to Canada and learned about Midwifery in Ontario and was inspired by client’s rights to choose to birth at home or hospital. She graduated from the International Midwifery Pre-registration Program (IMPP) at Ryerson University in 2008 and joined Family Care Midwives in 2011. She speaks English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

Melahat completed a medical degree at Gazi University in Ankara Turkey in 2000. She worked as a family physician in different parts of Turkey for several years before she decided to pursue a career in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Turgut Ozal University in Ankara. She worked as an OB/GYN doctor for more than 10 years and helped deliver many pregnant people with both low and high risk pregnancies during her career. She also has completed a certificate in assisted reproductive technologies and has published many articles in local and international publications on pregnancy related topics. She worked in several hospitals in Turkey until 2020, at which time she moved to Canada and enrolled in the Midwifery Post-Baccalaureate Program for Health Professionals and graduated from the Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) in 2022. She is very excited to be working with Family Care Midwives now. She is fluent in both English and Turkish.

Roya graduated in 1991 from Jondishapour University in Ahvaz, Iran, with a Bachelor of Science in Midwifery degree and worked in Tehran for 8 years in various departments related to woman’s health. Roya immigrated to Canada in 2003 and went through the International Midwifery Pre-Registration Program at Ryerson University. She has been working as a Midwife in York Region since 2003 and is one of the founding members of Family Care Midwives when it became established in 2010. She speaks both English and Farsi.

I have always been fascinated by the process of pregnancy and birth and this became clearer to me during my first degree, an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree focusing on Women’s Studies and Psychology, which I completed in 2000. During my studies at York University, I also volunteered as a doula for teenagers who needed support during childbirth, which confirmed my passion to work in health care as a midwife. I then pursued a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Midwifery from the Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) and graduated in 2006. After 4 years of practice in York Region, I recognized the overwhelming need to help establish Family Care Midwives in 2010 due to the growing demands for midwifery services. I love learning and supporting families during one of the most powerful experiences in their lives. In addition to midwifery, I have participated as a council member for the College of Midwives of Ontario (CMO) and I was a head midwife at Mackenzie Health Hospital for 6 years, where I helped maintain the high standards of the profession. I am currently a part-time midwife and a partner of Family Care Midwives. I deliver midwifery care in English and I use the pronouns she/her/hers. In my spare time, you will find me travelling or in my garden, surrounded by my family and friends.

Shawna (she/her) was born in Toronto and was introduced to midwifery as young child when her siblings were born with midwifery care. Prior to completing a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Midwifery at Toronto Metropolitan University, Shawna worked for a decade in health policy and communications, first with The Hospital for Sick Children, then with the Ontario provincial government. She also achieved a Master of Arts in Adult Education and Community Development from the University of Toronto, and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Queen’s University.

Shawna brings to her midwifery practice a love of translating health research and data into practical information to support clients’ decision-making. Providing individualized, sensitive postnatal care is a highlight of her work, especially for families who are new to Canada. She looks forward to working with you. She delivers midwifery care in English.