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OUR STAFF
Midwives Catching Babies
Tracy Ryan, CNM, Owner
Thank you for your interest in the Mountain Midwifery Center, my “baby” and a dream-in-the-making for over a decade. I discovered my passion for midwifery while in nursing school when I had my first son. His birth was typical for most American women–stuck in bed with monitors and IVs, epidural, episiotomy, mom/babe separation, postpartum depression…. I didn’t understand our maternity system was designed to treat all pregnant women as sick and as a young, healthy woman, I was not prepared to tackle a model that would “deliver” my child when what I wanted was to “give birth.” Thus, my dream of training as a Certified Nurse-Midwife and opening a free-standing birth center took flight (and followed our growing family as we moved from Texas, Ohio, and Virginia with the military).
I am a 1996 Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing graduate of the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX. I worked for three years in various hospitals on the Labor and Delivery floor. In 2002 I received my Certificate in Nurse-Midwifery from the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing in Hyden, KY. Also in 2002 I completed my MS in Midwifery from Philadelphia University where my thesis concentrated on nutrition/supplementation and it’s role in preeclampsia. During this time we added four more sons to our clan, the last three being born at home with the help of midwives.
After 4 years as the only Nurse-Midwife to attend births at home, I was able to open the birth center. Now the midwifery model of care will be available to many more women in the Denver area and we are able to expand into holistic well-woman care as well. Our entire staff is looking forward to nurturing you and your family through your pregnancy/birth process and beyond!
The Ryan boys then...
The Ryan boys now...
Sarah Stone, CNM 
Hello lovely ladies and their families and friends. I am glad you’re interested in Mountain Midwifery Center. I can thank my son for leading me to the birth center. I started as a client during my pregnancy with him and the respect and care I received affected me so much that I was overjoyed to be able to work here. Now I share its security and comfort with other families.
Prior to starting at MMC I attended births for five years in hospitals here in Denver and in Davenport, Iowa. The experience I gained during that time and my education at Yale School of Nursing prepared me well to attend families at the birth center. I believe women should be listened to, and I enjoy sharing stories. It’s a midwife’s job to hold a safe space for a mother and baby to labor, without interfering, but keeping a watchful eye open for complications. Guiding a woman and her family though labor and seeing her emerge into motherhood triumphant brings me great peace and happiness. I am so lucky.
When I’m not working I spend my time with my husband Scott and our son Matthew, sometimes in the garden, sometimes on snowboards (well it’ll be a few years before the little shredder hits the slopes, but a girl can dream), sometimes just fixing things around the house.
Aubre Tompkins, CNM
 Greetings Lovely Families! My name is Aubre Tompkins and I am so excited to now be joining the Mountain Midwifery family as a Certified Nurse Midwife. I first started at the birth center, in the very beginning, as an RN, assisting at births and teaching the Newborn Care and Breastfeeding classes. I have been lucky enough to watch the birth center grow and evolve into the remarkable facility that it is today. Thank you for thinking about letting us care for you and your family.
To go even farther back, in 1998, I had my first child (Ethan), who as children do, changed my life in so many ways. Among the many gifts he brought me, one was the joy of pregnancy and birth and the desire to share and assist other women through that amazing journey. So, I started on a very long path….along the way, I was blessed with a great husband (Ted), a wonderful step-son (Devin) and a sweet little daughter (Arwen). Somehow, in the midst of all that, I graduated from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing and eventually from the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing with a Masters in Midwifery. So, here I am, blessed to be living my dream, with my wonderful family and my amazing job. When I am not at the birth center, I love to be with my family, enjoying the beautiful mountains in our backyard, working in my vegetable garden, attempting to learn knitting and visiting with friends.
Laura Thielke, CNM
 My name is Laura Thielke and I am one of the midwives here at the Mountain Midwifery Center. I recently had the joy of delivering my daughter at the birth center. It was an experience that impacted me greatly. The atmosphere was calm, relaxing and supportive. You can get a glimpse of this from the documentary available on this website through KBDI. Soon after her birth, I started working here as a nurse and I am thrilled to be working with such a great group of people now as a midwife in October 2010.
I did my undergraduate at The University Of Iowa and received my master’s in nursing at The University of Colorado to be a CNM.
On a more personal note, I am married to my wonderful husband, Jason. We have a busy boy and a little girl: Jaden and Willow. I enjoy being with my family, reading, snowboarding, biking and running in my free time.
Sarit Schneider, CNM
Hi, I'm Sarit and I'm so excited to be returning to Mountain Midwifery Center. I had worked at MMC as a midwife from 2008-2010. As fate would have it, I got a job in Boulder near my home and spent the last 2 years at a midwifery practice at Boulder Community Hospital. However, I never stopped missing my family at MMC or out-of-hospital birth. It is a true home-coming to return to MMC. I feel lucky to be part of a model of care that offers such great support to birthing families.
I currently live in Boulder with my husband, Aaron and our 2 dogs. I spend most of my free time trail running, swimming and doing yoga. I also love to cook, garden and am part of a local chicken egg and goat milking co-op. (By the way, exercise and good nutrition are a key part of my philosophy for supporting mamas in having a healthy pregnancy and birth). Near on the horizon, Aaron and I are foster parents to be.
I look forward to meeting each of you and again feel so lucky to be able to rejoin the excellent team at MMC.
Molly Dickinson, CNM (part-time)
Hi, I am Molly. I am so happy to be a part of the Mountain Midwifery family. Like many, I was lead to midwifery by my own births. My first birth in a hospital was just fine by hospital standards, but I experienced complications that were a direct result of unnecessary interventions. I decided to make different choices with my second birth and went to a midwife. It was a powerful and life changing experience to have someone truly listen to me and encourage me to trust my body. I knew that she was watching me closely in labor, and if problems occurred, she would expertly intervene. I felt that no matter what happened, all would be well.
I gave up my career teaching maternal-child nursing and graduated from Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing in 1997. Since then I have had the honor of attending women in labor in birth centers, community hospitals and large teaching hospitals, but I believe that no place of birth brings out the midwife in me like a birth center. Women have taught me more about midwifery than any graduate degree ever could, and I am forever grateful to them.
I have also returned to teaching and teach midwifery for Philadelphia University. My husband Tom and I have four children in various stages of being launched, but most of the time we have an empty nest. We love hiking, yoga, live music and travel. I am learning to quilt, having done one machine pieced quilt. I am now learning the Zen of hand quilting.
Nurses and Supporting Midwives
Shawn Johnson, RN
My journey into midwifery and women’s health care began in southern California in 2003. I worked for a birth center in their clinic and also as a birth assistant for home and birth center births. I will never forget attending my first home birth as an assistant to the midwife; it was an incredible experience and it made a profound impact on me. I knew that I had found my true passion.
I am originally from northern Minnesota and that is where I met my husband Kurt who was my high school sweet heart. I earned a BS in Graphic Design and after working as a designer for a few years, I knew that sitting behind a desk was not for me. In 1999 Kurt and I moved to California and after a few great years of golfing, going to the beach and working as a waitress, it was time to go back to school to get my degree in nursing. My nursing background specializes in Post Partum, Transition Nursery and I also spent some time with the “feeders and growers” in the NICU.
I am blessed to have three beautiful children who were all born naturally. Alexia was born in 2004, Jason I in 2006 and Ryder in 2008. I love hiking and mountain biking with my family, photography, antiques and I always have a project going on like knitting, sewing or making jewelry.
I so enjoy forming a relationship with our mamas and their families during their pregnancy and feel so blessed to be a part of their birthing experience. I am grateful and proud to be a part of this amazing team of women at Mountain Midwifery Center. I can honestly say that I love what I do!
Abbey Lamkin, RN
Welcome Mountain Midwifery families! I’m so very excited to be a part of your birthing experience here at the birth center. I am a nurse, and first heard of MMC through my good friend Cassie Hart CNM, who many of you will get to know and love! I grew up in Michigan, and moved to Seattle where I got my degree in Social Work, and then ended up moving to Colorado in 2004. After moving to Colorado, along with some personal discovery, I decided to pursue nursing because of a strong desire to bring health and healing to people in non-traditional settings.
The last 7 years have been a great adventure for me. I found out that what I wanted most out of nursing was to help mamas bring their babies into the world. I began attending all of my friends’ births while in nursing school, and got to witness first-hand the beauty of natural births, but also the hardships many of my friends underwent in hospitals. I went on to work in acute care, on a Medical-Surgical floor in Colorado Springs, until I got hired on at MMC. I’m so very excited to be a witness to extraordinary moments in your lives and help you usher your babies into the world!
In my free time I love to hike, and be outside in beautiful Colorado. I also love spending time with my friends, reading, cooking and traveling to see my family. Oh, and I love my job!! Pictured here with me is my best friend’s beautiful newborn baby.
Melissa Gordon, RN, SNM
I have been working in nursing since earning my ADN in 1999. Between then and 2011, I had work experiences in labor & delivery, postpartum care, and special care nursery in Iowa and Arizona. Along the way, I decided that I wanted to become a midwife and help to empower women to take control of their health and educate themselves about their bodies. I started at Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing (now Frontier Nursing University) in September of 2007. I will be done soon... this Spring in fact!
In 2011 my daughter, Savannah, and I moved to Colorado for my clinical training and to be with my boyfriend, Ryan. I started my clinical training at MountainView Midwives in Thornton and finished with MMC in January. When Tracy offered me a job at the birth center to work as a nurse, I jumped at the chance! I haven't had much spare time between work and school, but when I do, I intend to do more hiking, learn to ski, and spend more time with Savannah and Ryan.
SJ Struckmeyer, RN
 ***Bio coming soon!!!***
Administrative Staff
Our administrative staff is a real asset to MMC. In addition to working hard on your schedule, insurance eligiblity, referrals, etc., all our ladies in the office really support the clinic. Don't be surprised if you call thinking you need to speak with a midwife and instead get a full & complete answer from Heather, other Heather, Colleen or Lynn. Their bios help explain why...
Heather Scott, SN, CLD, CCCE (Doula Coordinator, Client Services)
 Greetings! My name is Heather Scott. I have been working at MMC since 2008 or 'back in the day' when all MMC happenings occurred in what is now the birthing space. Over the years I have assisted with various duties, including answering client questions about pregnancy and breastfeeding, teaching the Preparation For Natural Childbirth classes and coordinating an ongoing doula program for MMC families through a business I co-run, www.cocoonbirth.com
Since 2003 I have been actively practicing as a doula and childbirth educator in the community. Currently I serve as President on the board of directors for a non-profit organization, the Colorado Doulas Association. In addition I am a nursing student at Regis University with 10 months to go until graduation...thank the good lord! If I survive that I hope to continue to move on in my education towards midwifery. I do all of this with a supportive husband by my side and 4 lively homeschooled in children in tow who love to run our border collie ragged at our cabin home in the foothills!
Heather Thompson, PhD, CPD, CLE (Client Services, Postpartum Doula)
Welcome to Mountain Midwifery Center! My name is Heather Thompson and I work in the office, teach Newborn Care and offer postpartum doula support services to our Mountain Midwifery clients. Like many women who pursue both a career and motherhood, my journey to my current work with birthing families was not a direct route, but filled with twists and turns.
In my early 20s, I felt a gentle pull to become a midwife, but for various reasons decided to pursue graduate studies in Physiology instead. During these years in graduate school, I executed experiments in the lab by day, but during the rest of my time, I found myself using every excuse possible to support both birthing parents and families with new babies. In 2002, I received my doctorate in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Massachusetts and taught at Smith College for several years. Then, in 2004, I realized the dream of returning my home state of Colorado and, while working at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, discovered I was pregnant.
The journey to the amazing home birth of my daughter in the fall
of 2005 changed my life in many ways. My daughter's birth reminded me of my passion for natural birth and the demands of being a mom led me to shift my position at the Health Sciences Center to a Project Manager position. My son was born at MMC in the spring of 2008 and by our 6 wk postpartum visit, I had begun steps to pursue my passion for working with birthing and postpartum families. That fall, I pursued certification through CAPPA as a postpartum doula (CPD) and lactation educator (CLE) and started my own business (Beyond Birth) providing postpartum doula, lactation and babywearing support to new and growing families. At the end of 2008, I joined the team at MMC and feel blessed to work with so many talented people who share my passion for providing a place for Coloradoans to birth naturally and holistically. For me, the process of tapping into my inner voice and strength through childbirth and parenting has been transformative. I always feel honored to support new families in this amazing time of change and growth.
Colleen Flowers, Fertility Awareness Educator, Billing Manager
I have been so honored and blessed to work beside and learn from the very strong, wise, and passionate women here at Mountain Midwifery Center! While my job is focused mainly on the administrative aspects of office work and insurance billing, I love working in an environment that supports and values holistic health.
I am a Fertility Awareness Educator and currently enrolled in a distance-learning program with a Canadian organization, Justisse Healthworks for Women, in order to become a Holistic Reproductive Health Practitioner (HRHP). I love teaching girls and women (ages 10-100) about their bodies. I offer a variety of classes and one-on-one consultations through my business, Flowers Fertility, in The Midwife's Garden.
I'm originally from Southeastern Pennsylvania. After I graduated college, I transplanted myself to the mountains of Colorado where I was a white-water raft guide for 4 summers. We moved to Denver so that my husband and I could better pursue our lifework; however, you'll still find us in the mountains every chance we can get hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, hotspring-ing, and visiting family and friends.
Gina Penka, CD (DONA), BFW, Clinic Assistant
It's a real treat to work at MMC with the wonderful midwives and families here! You can find me at MMC either teaching or in the office on most days of the week. I have b een involved in birth for the last 10 years, and have experience with out-of-hospital birth both personally and professionally as a mother and doula. I run the Birthing From Within series at MMC, teach the Healthy Pregnancy class, and co-teach the Botanical Bellies and Babies class. I am in school to eventually become a nurse-midwife and family nurse-practitioner. When I'm not at MMC or in school, I am spending as much time as I can with my children, knitting and sewing lots of little things or climbing mountains and watching zombie movies with my favorite man.
Katie Schneider-Medina, CPC
 Hello! At MMC I do the insurance and patient billing with my certification as a Certified Professional Coder. My journey with MMC started when I first found out I was pregnant. I came to MMC for all my prenatal care and my son was born in the spring of 2009 in the blue room. At the beginning of 2010, I joined the team at MMC and now feel incredibly blessed to work with such amazing people. My non-work time is spent having fun with my little Sawyer and husband. I am a native of Colorado and am very close with my family here, so a lot of time is spent with them also. I enjoy traveling, camping, gardening and visiting with friends.
Melissa Kleinman, CLD (Client Services)
Hello Families! It is amazing to work with the wonderful people here at MMC. I work in the admin office doing insurance verifications, billing and scheduling. I am also working on becoming a Birthing From Within mentor and recently accepted a position with the Colorado Doulas Association working with the low-cost outreach program.
In my other life, I am a mother of two beautiful girls, serve as the PTA president for my girls’ school and work as a labor doula. I moved to Colorado in the mid-1990’s from Wyoming and haven't looked back since. I love the mountains and wildlife and try to get out and experience them as much as possible.
Joel Ryan, Business Manager
 Hi. I’m Joel, the birth center guy and Tracy’s hubby. Opening a birth center became a shared dream for me and Tracy around the birth of 2nd and 3rd sons (the 2nd for Tracy and the 3rd for me). I think a quick summary of our birth experiences reads like a “road to finding the birth center solution.”
When Austin was born (our first), Tracy was literally neglected by the Air Force hospital staff. We received no labor support of any kind. It was traumatic for a young, trusting and naïve couple in their early twenties. Luke’s birth at an Army hospital was better, but they wouldn’t let Tracy consume anything other than ice chips. When she ran out of energy at 3 AM, they gave her 2 IV bags of straight sugar. Labor kicked back in and Luke was born shortly thereafter, but they cut the cord immediately and Luke “sugar crashed” (became dangerously hypoglycemic). So for our 3rd son, Sam, we chose a home birth with nurse midwives. They were friends of Tracy from work. While I was studying simulation and statistics for my master’s degree, she was a labor and delivery nurse on the west-side of Dayton, OH. The birth was beautiful and easy and so calm. I could write A LOT about how amazing it was. Essentially, I realized how much the hospitals had interfered with labor, birth and those first few amazing hours of life. In Virginia, we had another homebirth, and it was wonderful, but it was also somewhat scary. Our midwife had to leave to get her kids just 2 hours before Nathan was born. You see, in VA and in OH, it was illegal to attend home birth for pay. These amazing women had to do it for free or risk criminal prosecution. The midwife in VA had to pick up her kids because her husband had an important work event. We had another birth attendant, but she wasn’t fully trained.
So with the births of our own children, I saw the neglect and abuse of a hospital-based system and the persecution of midwives and families that choose them. We began to dream of a birth center and I left the Air Force after 10 years of service to settle down in Colorado. I went to work for a defense contractor, studying war-making with mathematical models and statistics. Tracy became the one-and-only certified nurse midwife (CNM) in Colorado attending home births. Being the only one, it was hard for her to team with other homebirth midwives, all registered midwives. She ran her homebirth practice for four years, but it was exhausting so in late 2005 we decided to go for it. After lots of hard work and tens of thousands of dollars on credit cards, the birth center opened its doors for clinic visits in April 2006 and for births in September 2006.
The birth center grew and the workload was more than our family could bear. I had moved to Ball Aerospace in January 2006 and the commute from to Boulder kept me away from home too much. Meanwhile Tracy’s load at the birth center was leading to longer and longer hours. The center also suffered some terrible billing errors by a small billing service. I decided to leave Ball and work at the birth center full time to help us overcome the many administrative and clerical problems that were holding back our model of care from reaching more families.
Working at the birth center was a little tough for a while. But with my analytic background, I constantly looked for how the process worked. I learned billing and coding, installed a practice management system, learned how to do electronic billing and how to bill clients directly (billing smart clients can be more stressful than billing corporations). We learned how to schedule clinic and call, do payroll and more. I even worked the front desk for a few months. Tracy and I had our arguments, but we kept working towards the same goals. I deferred to her on all things clinical and as I learned more, she trusted me with more and more of the administrative details. Fortunately our goals are complementary. Tracy’s goal is to serve as many clients as possible with the midwifery model of care. My goal is to ensure the midwives (really the entire team) get paid fairly so that model of care is sustainable for the long term. Tracy and I built the birth center as that place we wished we had for the birth of our children. I hope that Mountain Midwifery Center can be a viable alternative for families for years to come. |
