President:
Rachel Williston |
Vice President:
Crystal Ferguson, CPM Crystal is a homeschooling mother of 5 and follower of Christ who believes in gently supporting families through the powerful and natural process of pregnancy and birth. Her passion for studying natural birth and supporting women began as a teenager when she first learned about water birth and has grown with the experience of each of her own pregnancies and while supporting women of the community. She works with 3 other midwives in a practice in Springfield, MO. When not attending births, Crystal enjoys spending time with her husband and children, baking, and working her homestead in Polk County, MO. Crystal has served in several positions in the Missouri Midwives Association since 2012. |
Treasurer:
Jenifer Jester, BSM, CPM Jen Jester graduated from the Midwives College of Utah with Bachelor of Science – Midwifery and passed her NARM boards to become a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) in 2018. Jen is an entry level midwife that has studied under multiple preceptors, both CPMs and CNMs. Jen has been an active birth professional in the St. Louis area for 16 years as a DONA Int’l. trained doula and an Informed Beginnings Childbirth Educator since 2004 and 2009, respectively. She has guided over 600 families through their birth journey as a doula, assistant and midwife. Jen pursues professional development and continuing education annually, and participates in monthly peer review with her collaborative partners and with the St. Louis Missouri Midwives Association chapter. Jen is certified in CPR for the Professional Responder and is certified in the Neonatal Resuscitation Program. Jen is a member of the Missouri Midwives Association (MMA), National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM), and the Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA). Jen is also a clinic provider and board member for Jamaa Birth Village in Ferguson, MO. Jen is dedicated to serving the underserved, and committed to providing services to any family that wishes for midwifery care. Jen understands that few experiences can be as empowering and rewarding as realizing your body’s full potential to bring life into the world, and honors the sacred and vulnerable space of birth. Jen’s clients receive customized care, and are encouraged to make informed decisions based upon their unique labor experience. Jen believes that a birthing family, during the preparation for and process of giving birth, deserve emotional and physical support, guidance, choice, advocacy, and respect. Jen is a mother of 2, a yogi, a knitter, avid hiker, and lover of the outdoor. |
Secretary:
Janet Akremi, MD Janet Akremi has been a midwife for many years. She is currently back in school at Midwives College of Utah where she is finishing the Bachelor of Science in Midwifery in preparation for retaking the NARM examination and returning to active midwifery practice in central Missouri. Like all midwives, Janet maintains basic life support and neonatal resuscitation certification. She is a member of the Missouri Midwives Association, (MMA), National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM) and Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA). She is committed to helping improve midwifery education, serving the underserved, and making midwifery care available to all people who desire it. |