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.

Hillary completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree at Western University in 2016. She was also involved with the Sexual Assault Center of London and was a research student at The Hospital for Sick Children. She then graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences in Midwifery in 2020 and joined Family Care Midwives. She was raised in York Region and speaks English and limited Cantonese.

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 and has been practicing with Family Care Midwives since it opened in 2010. She speaks English and some French.

Kara Vandersluis grew up in South Western Ontario and graduated from Laurentian University in 2021 with an Honors Bachelor of Health Sciences in Midwifery. After she graduated, she worked in Durham and then joined Family Care Midwives in 2022. Kara became a midwife because she wanted to empower clients and offer choices to those giving birth, and for their families. She is passionate about offering safe, individualized care to clients and looks forward to helping you achieve your birthing goals.

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 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 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. She is fluent in English.

Maria completed her Midwifery Education Program at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) in 2022. Prior to this, she also completed a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Art and Art History from York University in 2018 and concurrently completed a certificate in Indigenous Studies from York at the same time. It was the birth of her first daughter under the care of incredible midwives that made her chose to follow in the footsteps of her great-great grandmother, who was also a midwife. Maria joined Family Care Midwives in 2022 and is honoured to be apart of this sacred time in your life. She is fluent in English, and continues to improve her knowledge and proficiency in French, Italian, and Anishinaabemowin.

Martha was born and raised in Venezuela, where she trained and worked as a general practitioner. While working in a maternity labor ward, she discovered her passion to help expectant parents and their babies. She moved to Canada 7 years ago and has worked in a number of health-related positions and specialized in Workplace Wellness and Health Promotion until she completed the International Midwifery Preregistration Program at Ryerson University in 2019. She joined Family care Midwives in 2021 and is fluent in English and Spanish and has conversational knowledge of French.

Maureen graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences in Midwifery in 1999. She has devoted more than 25 years to the growth of midwifery. First as a Childbirth Educator, then by helping to establish two midwifery clinics in York Region, including Family Care Midwives in 2010. She has recently retired from birthing work in the fall of 2021 but will continue to help run Family Care Midwives into 2022. It's been a pleasure working with Maureen at clinic and births and she will definitely miss all of the wonderful clients she has met over the years.

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.

Mojgan graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Midwifery degree in 1991 from Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran, Iran. She worked in Iran for 8 years in Labour and Delivery until she immigrated to Canada in 2010. Mojgan completed the International Midwifery Pre-registration Program (IMPP) at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) in 2011 and has been working as a midwife in the Scarborough area since 2012. Mojgan joined Family Care Midwife in 2022. She speaks both English and Farsi.

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.

Samihah completed her Bachelor of Health Sciences in Midwifery at Laurentian University in 2021 and joined Family Care Midwives after graduation. She had the opportunity to train with midwives and birthworkers in and around the Greater Toronto Area and in Iloilo, Philippines. These experiences provided a valuable perspective about midwifery care that she hopes to bring to her clients. In addition to midwifery, she is a CPR instructor. She is fluent in English and proficient in French.

Sharon first completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree focusing on Women’s Studies and Psychology from York University in 2000 followed by a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Midwifery from Ryerson University in 2006. After 4 years of practice in York Region, she helped to establish Family Care Midwives in 2010. In addition to midwifery, she participated as a council member for the College of Midwives of Ontario (CMO), helping to maintain the high standards of the profession. She is fluent in English.