Officers:
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President:
Rachel Williston Rachel Williston has been a midwife for 20 years. She is blessed to have caught over 700 babies and been midwife to 1000+ women over those years. This year she received her first graduation and wedding announcements. Certainly, puts things into perspective. She has been to multiple states and countries helping women birth and teaching women to become midwives. She started and ran 2 different birth centers and worked in others. She has assisted with c/sections and done lots of well woman care. Her joy is homebirth, and helping women learn how strong they are in the process of giving birth and becoming mothers. She believes in education, and that her job is to teach. She believes in parents making their own decisions for their family. On a personal note, Rachel has 4 children and a granddaughter. Our daughter is 22. The boys are ages 18, 14, and 7 and were all born at home into my husbands or the midwife’s hands. She loves to read. She has been on this path her whole life. Learning about natural healing and wellness. Loving pregnant bellies and seeing men become Dads and women Mothers. So much joy in these moments! |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
Chapters:
Kansas City:
Rachel Williston, godsmidwife@gmail.com
Southwest MO:
Mid-MO:
Robin Massey, yourbirthworks@gmail.com
Midwives of Color:
Brittany “Tru” Kellman
St Louis:
Jennifer Jester birthwisely@gmail.com
Committees:
Library:
Membership:
Jennifer Jester, birthwisely@gmail.com
Education:
Fundraising:
Grievance Review Board:
Rachel Williston, godsmidwife@gmail.com
Legislative:
Alison Dougherty
Public Relations:
Peer Review:
Library:
Membership:
Jennifer Jester, birthwisely@gmail.com
Education:
Fundraising:
Grievance Review Board:
Rachel Williston, godsmidwife@gmail.com
Legislative:
Alison Dougherty
Public Relations:
Peer Review:
