We are a teaching practice and all our midwives are clinical preceptors to midwifery students in the Bachelor of Health Science in Midwifery program at Ryerson University.
Dione Amsterdam, RM
Dione was born & raised in Toronto & is of Guyanese decent. She received her Bachelor of Health Science in Midwifery from Toronto Metropolitan University & also holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a Minor in Sociology from McMaster University. She is currently serving her 1st term on the Board of Directors for both the Association of Ontario Midwives (AOM) & The Toronto Birth Centre (TBC). Additionally, Dione works as an Assessor at the College of Midwives of Ontario (CMO) & serves as the Chair for the Quality of Care Committee at TBC. Dione is passionate about learning & teaching. She gives back to her community by working as a Mentor for Black Midwifery Students & is a Clinical Preceptor & Adjunct Faculty Member at the Midwifery Education Program (MEP). She also works as an Emergency Skills Workshop Instructor. Dione loves being a midwife & has a special interest in working with racialized communities as well as uninsured & non-status clients. She strives to provide advocacy & empowerment for clients & to help improve birth outcomes. Dione is a Practice Partner at Community Midwives of Toronto where she has worked since 2007.
Dione Amsterdam, RM
Dione was born & raised in Toronto & is of Guyanese decent. She received her Bachelor of Health Science in Midwifery from Toronto Metropolitan University & also holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a Minor in Sociology from McMaster University. She is currently serving her 1st term on the Board of Directors for both the Association of Ontario Midwives (AOM) & The Toronto Birth Centre (TBC). Additionally, Dione works as an Assessor at the College of Midwives of Ontario (CMO) & serves as the Chair for the Quality of Care Committee at TBC. Dione is passionate about learning & teaching. She gives back to her community by working as a Mentor for Black Midwifery Students & is a Clinical Preceptor & Adjunct Faculty Member at the Midwifery Education Program (MEP). She also works as an Emergency Skills Workshop Instructor. Dione loves being a midwife & has a special interest in working with racialized communities as well as uninsured & non-status clients. She strives to provide advocacy & empowerment for clients & to help improve birth outcomes. Dione is a Practice Partner at Community Midwives of Toronto where she has worked since 2007.
Corinne Hebden, RM
Corinne graduated from the Ryerson University Midwifery Education Program with honours in 2008. She been a senior preceptor for Midwifery students for many years and have helped develop clinical guidelines with the Association of Ontario Midwives as well as practice protocols.
Born in England, Corinne immigrated to Canada in her early teens, and spent 10 years working as a professional stage actor before relocating to Toronto, where she became a mother and grew her interest in midwifery.
She believes that midwifery care can play an important role in supporting and empowering the pregnant person and their family. Informed choice is a key part of that journey which allows the individual to consider and weigh the decisions regarding care and treatment for themselves and their baby.
As a registered midwife, Corinne continues to grow and learn through her experiences with each client and baby. It is her goal to provide sensitive, thoughtful and safe care to midwifery clients. The journey is always different just as each individual is different.
Corinne graduated from the Ryerson University Midwifery Education Program with honours in 2008. She been a senior preceptor for Midwifery students for many years and have helped develop clinical guidelines with the Association of Ontario Midwives as well as practice protocols.
Born in England, Corinne immigrated to Canada in her early teens, and spent 10 years working as a professional stage actor before relocating to Toronto, where she became a mother and grew her interest in midwifery.
She believes that midwifery care can play an important role in supporting and empowering the pregnant person and their family. Informed choice is a key part of that journey which allows the individual to consider and weigh the decisions regarding care and treatment for themselves and their baby.
As a registered midwife, Corinne continues to grow and learn through her experiences with each client and baby. It is her goal to provide sensitive, thoughtful and safe care to midwifery clients. The journey is always different just as each individual is different.
Jessica Leibgott, RM
Jessica began working as a registered midwife in downtown Toronto in 2017 after she graduated magna cum laude from the Midwifery Education Program at Laurentian University.
Originally from Montreal, Quebec, she came to Toronto in 2008 to undertake a theatre degree at the Randolph Academy for Performing Arts. While working as a professional actor, she became involved with the yoga community and trained to teach pre-natal yoga. This experience started off her journey into the world of birth work and opened opportunities to teach yoga and provide labour support through Jessie’s and the Massey Centre in Toronto, as well as develop a pre-natal yoga teaching program and work as a volunteer doula alongside midwives at a birth centre in rural Uganda. Inspired by her newfound passion for choice and respect in childbirth, she decided to pursue a career in midwifery.
As a midwife, Jessica aims to provide a safe and supportive space for clients and to help shape positive birth experiences. She also recognizes that education is ongoing, and she continues to engage in the important conversations surrounding equity in the health care system and the birth world that are shaping the future of the profession. She speaks English and French.
Jessica began working as a registered midwife in downtown Toronto in 2017 after she graduated magna cum laude from the Midwifery Education Program at Laurentian University.
Originally from Montreal, Quebec, she came to Toronto in 2008 to undertake a theatre degree at the Randolph Academy for Performing Arts. While working as a professional actor, she became involved with the yoga community and trained to teach pre-natal yoga. This experience started off her journey into the world of birth work and opened opportunities to teach yoga and provide labour support through Jessie’s and the Massey Centre in Toronto, as well as develop a pre-natal yoga teaching program and work as a volunteer doula alongside midwives at a birth centre in rural Uganda. Inspired by her newfound passion for choice and respect in childbirth, she decided to pursue a career in midwifery.
As a midwife, Jessica aims to provide a safe and supportive space for clients and to help shape positive birth experiences. She also recognizes that education is ongoing, and she continues to engage in the important conversations surrounding equity in the health care system and the birth world that are shaping the future of the profession. She speaks English and French.
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Amy MacNeill, RM
Amy completed her degree in Midwifery in 2022 and was the last ever graduate of the Laurentian Midwifery Education Program. Her midwifery education took her all around Central, Southern and Eastern Ontario to a variety of high and low resource settings. She served a variety of populations in her senior placements including Canadian Military families in Kingston and the Amish & Mennonite communities in Grey Bruce. Amy’s interests outside of midwifery are cooking and traveling, and she is bilingual in English and French. She is joining Community Midwives of Toronto as a New Registrant and looks forward to continuing to learn and grow in an urban city like Toronto. |
Alusha Morris, RM
Alusha received her Bachelor of Health Sciences in Midwifery with Honours from Ryerson University in 2012 and has since been working as a midwife in downtown Toronto. Prior to becoming a midwife, Alusha worked for many years as a Doula and enjoyed volunteering with pregnant and at risk youth. Alusha is a Clinical Preceptor at the Midwifery Education Program.
Alusha received her Bachelor of Health Sciences in Midwifery with Honours from Ryerson University in 2012 and has since been working as a midwife in downtown Toronto. Prior to becoming a midwife, Alusha worked for many years as a Doula and enjoyed volunteering with pregnant and at risk youth. Alusha is a Clinical Preceptor at the Midwifery Education Program.
Sojourner San Vicente, RM
Sojourner is excited to be joining Community Midwives as a New Registrant after completing her senior year as a student with Michaela and Dione. She is passionate about midwifery care and feels humbled and thankful for the opportunities to serve families during their pregnancy journey, the birth of their baby, and the postpartum period. She grew up in the Annex neighbourhood and looks forward to giving back to this community!
Sojourner is excited to be joining Community Midwives as a New Registrant after completing her senior year as a student with Michaela and Dione. She is passionate about midwifery care and feels humbled and thankful for the opportunities to serve families during their pregnancy journey, the birth of their baby, and the postpartum period. She grew up in the Annex neighbourhood and looks forward to giving back to this community!
Fariba Shodjaie, RM
Fariba has been practising midwifery for over 23 years, and has been with Community Midwives of Toronto since 2001 and became a Partner in 2015. She became registered with the College of Midwives of Ontario through the Prior Learning and Experience (PLEA) program. Fariba graduated from University of Renée Descartes Paris V Faculté De Medecine Paris-Ouest with a Bachelor of Midwifery in 1991 and practised midwifery in both France and Iran. She is a Clinical Preceptor at the Midwifery Education Program. Fariba speaks Persian and French.
Fariba has been practising midwifery for over 23 years, and has been with Community Midwives of Toronto since 2001 and became a Partner in 2015. She became registered with the College of Midwives of Ontario through the Prior Learning and Experience (PLEA) program. Fariba graduated from University of Renée Descartes Paris V Faculté De Medecine Paris-Ouest with a Bachelor of Midwifery in 1991 and practised midwifery in both France and Iran. She is a Clinical Preceptor at the Midwifery Education Program. Fariba speaks Persian and French.
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Lisa Thacker, RM
Lisa began working with Community Midwives of Toronto in 2017 after receiving her Bachelor of Health Sciences in Midwifery from Ryerson University. She previously completed a BSc in Health Studies from the University of Waterloo in 2003, and worked in the fields of global health, food and nutrition, and teaching classical yoga. |
Bridget Lynch, RM, MA - Currently on Leave
Bridget has been practising midwifery in Toronto for over 25 years. She was one of the first 60 midwives to be regulated in Ontario in 1994 following completion of the Michener Midwifery Program. Her education includes a Bachelor of Arts in history and an MA in women’s studies, and she is an Assistant Professor in the Midwifery Education Programme at McMaster University. She is the past president of the Association of Ontario Midwives and served for three years as the President of the International Confederation of Midwives. Bridget is a founding Partner of Community Midwives of Toronto (1994).
Bridget has been practising midwifery in Toronto for over 25 years. She was one of the first 60 midwives to be regulated in Ontario in 1994 following completion of the Michener Midwifery Program. Her education includes a Bachelor of Arts in history and an MA in women’s studies, and she is an Assistant Professor in the Midwifery Education Programme at McMaster University. She is the past president of the Association of Ontario Midwives and served for three years as the President of the International Confederation of Midwives. Bridget is a founding Partner of Community Midwives of Toronto (1994).
Michaela Chandler, RM - Currently on Leave
Michaela graduated from the Midwifery Education Program with Honours in 2017 at Laurentian University. She completed her midwifery training at Community Midwives of Toronto and isthrilled to be returning to this vibrant and engaged practice post parental leave.
Prior to becoming a midwife she worked as a doula focusing on supporting immigrant and refugee families. She has also worked for many years in community-led arts initiatives in both Toronto and Montreal and holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts from Concordia University.
As a midwife, Michaela aims to provide compassionate, client-centred and evidence-based care with the goal of making your journey into parenthood a positive one.
Michaela graduated from the Midwifery Education Program with Honours in 2017 at Laurentian University. She completed her midwifery training at Community Midwives of Toronto and isthrilled to be returning to this vibrant and engaged practice post parental leave.
Prior to becoming a midwife she worked as a doula focusing on supporting immigrant and refugee families. She has also worked for many years in community-led arts initiatives in both Toronto and Montreal and holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts from Concordia University.
As a midwife, Michaela aims to provide compassionate, client-centred and evidence-based care with the goal of making your journey into parenthood a positive one.
Kristen Dennis, RM - Currently on Leave
Kristen received her Bachelor of Health Sciences in Midwifery with Honours from Ryerson University in 2009. She joined Community Midwives of Toronto in 2009, and has been a Partner since 2015. Her previous education includes a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ryerson University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from York University. Kristen was the recipient of the Murray and Eleanor Enkin Midwifery Graduation Excellence Award for 2008-2009. Kristen currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Toronto Birth Centre and is a Clinical Preceptor at the Midwifery Education Program.
Kristen received her Bachelor of Health Sciences in Midwifery with Honours from Ryerson University in 2009. She joined Community Midwives of Toronto in 2009, and has been a Partner since 2015. Her previous education includes a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ryerson University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from York University. Kristen was the recipient of the Murray and Eleanor Enkin Midwifery Graduation Excellence Award for 2008-2009. Kristen currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Toronto Birth Centre and is a Clinical Preceptor at the Midwifery Education Program.
Mary Fish, RM - Currently on Leave
Mary has been practising midwifery since she graduated from Ryerson University with a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Midwifery in 1999 and joined Community Midwives of Toronto in 2000 where she has been a Partner since 2015. Her prior education includes a Bachelor of Arts in human biology from the University of Toronto in 1988. Mary is a Clinical Preceptor at the Midwifery Education Program.
Mary has been practising midwifery since she graduated from Ryerson University with a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Midwifery in 1999 and joined Community Midwives of Toronto in 2000 where she has been a Partner since 2015. Her prior education includes a Bachelor of Arts in human biology from the University of Toronto in 1988. Mary is a Clinical Preceptor at the Midwifery Education Program.
Jen Goldberg, RM - Currently on Leave
Jen has been practising midwifery for over 20 years. After completing a midwifery apprenticeship in Texas, she practiced midwifery in California and Mexico. In 2001 she became registered with the College of Midwives of Ontario through the Prior Learning and Experience Assessment (PLEA) program and joined Community Midwives of Toronto, where she has been a Partner since 2003. Jen is a clinical preceptor at the Midwifery Education Program. She has a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology from McGill University and is currently working towards a Master of Public Health (Family and Community Medicine) at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. Jen provides culturally competent care to queer and trans people. She speaks Spanish.
Jen has been practising midwifery for over 20 years. After completing a midwifery apprenticeship in Texas, she practiced midwifery in California and Mexico. In 2001 she became registered with the College of Midwives of Ontario through the Prior Learning and Experience Assessment (PLEA) program and joined Community Midwives of Toronto, where she has been a Partner since 2003. Jen is a clinical preceptor at the Midwifery Education Program. She has a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology from McGill University and is currently working towards a Master of Public Health (Family and Community Medicine) at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. Jen provides culturally competent care to queer and trans people. She speaks Spanish.
