Midwives Grey Bruce values and believes…
women in our community should have equitable access to comprehensive midwifery care provided with integrity and compassion.
Michelle Kryzanauskas
Registered Midwife - Partner
In 1978 my interest in midwifery began and in 1983 I began attending births as a labour support person. I worked on a self-directed health science education plan. During this period I continued to attend births in an increasing role of responsibility. In 1985 I became a supervised practicing midwife. I have practiced as a primary care giver since 1986. In 1988 I successfully completed a preceptorship with the Midwives Collective of Toronto and in internship at a licensed birth centre in El Paso, Texas, USA.
In 1992/93 I successfully completed the Pre-Registration Program for Midwifery in Ontario. I received a Certificate of Completion for this program at the Michener Institute of Applied Health Sciences. On January 1, 1994 I became one of the first 60 midwives to be registered to practice with the College of Midwives of Ontario.
Heather Keffer
Registered Midwife - Partner
I have been interested and involved in childbirth and breastfeeding since 1978. While I was having my own children from 1983 to 1989, I was supporting other women with breastfeeding and giving birth. In 1986, I joined Michelle Kryzanauskas in giving midwifery care through our practice Midwives Grey Simcoe. In 1993 I was among the first midwives to be registered in Ontario. At my grandmother’s funeral in March 1994 I learned that her mother, Louise Barton, was also a midwife.
I am a preceptor for the Midwifery Education Programme and Head Midwife at South Bruce Grey Health Centre in Walkerton. I have worked as a member of the Benefits Program for the Association of Ontario Midwives board of directors. I also teach the Neonatal Resuscitation Programme for Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario and recertify the midwives in my practice.
I live in a little house in the woods with my family. We share our surroundings with some chickens, cats and dogs, not to mention the wild turkeys, porcupines, frogs, toads and other wildlife. My hobbies include herbal medicine and casual gardening. I also like to knit hats and have recently taken up knitting socks.
Lucie Nichols
Registered Midwife - Partner
I have been a midwife for over 20 years. I first became interested in the profession when, as a student nurse, I did a 3-month placement in obstetrics and just knew there must be a different way to care for birthing women.
In 1980 I apprenticed myself to a German midwife attending home births in Thunder Bay where I lived at the time. I went on to do formal midwifery training at a large hospital in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1982, and returned to practice as a midwife in Thunder Bay in 1984.
I moved to Grey County in 1994 and joined the Midwives Grey Simcoe.
Angela Freeman
Registered Midwife - Senior Associate
Midwifery as an art and profession caught my attention during my undergraduate degree in Biology at Dalhousie University, although I have had an interest in pregnancy and childbirth as long as I can remember. Prior to becoming a midwife I organized several education events related to women’s health in Halifax and Kitchener, completed doula training, and completed the Midwifery Education Program at Laurentian University. My studies and clinical placements took me to Sudbury, Manitoulin Island, Kitchener-Waterloo, St. Jacobs, and here with the Midwives Grey Bruce. I have been a midwife with Midwives Grey Bruce since 2006. In my spare time, when I am not catching babies, I love to garden and hike the Bruce Trail.
I look forward to supporting women in their pregnancies, labours and in the postpartum, and believe women greatly benefit from midwifery care here in Grey Bruce.
Barb Bryja
Registered Midwife - Senior Associate
My commitment to midwifery follows a belief in respect, informed choice and continuity of care for women and their families. I graduated from McMaster University’s Midwifery Education Program in 2003 and have enjoyed practicing as a registered midwife in this community since this time.
My experiences related to women’s health include working with pregnant teens, volunteering at a clinic supporting women who suffer from postpartum depression, as well as working with pregnant women with substance abuse concerns. Additional experiences include a volunteer placement at a maternity hospital in Indonesia, doula training and involvement with the Ontario Midwifery Consumer Network.
I am passionate about providing midwifery care and look forward to working together towards achieving empowering pregnancy and birth experiences.
Whitney Bonnett
Registered Midwife - Associate
I’m originally from Kincardine, Ontario and being able to practice in my home community is very exciting. I graduated from McMaster University’s midwifery programme and joined Midwives Grey Bruce shortly after in September 2008. My clinical experiences within the programme included placements in Welland with Sages Femmes Renaissance Midwifery, a one month stay at Mukinge Hospital in Kasempa, Zambia working in their labour and delivery unit, as well as several placements here at Midwives Grey Bruce. I also had the opportunity to do clinical placements with Dr. Caulley and the obstetrical group in Owen Sound as well as the nurses at GBHS.
For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with pregnancy and birth and I feel honoured to be included in the experiences of women and their families. I appreciate the chance to be a part of such a special time in your lives and look forward to meeting everyone!
Jane Calhoun
Registered Midwife- Associate
My background before entering the Midwifery Education program, involved studying at the University of Guelph, where I completed an Honours Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Human Kinetics. I am from Bruce County, where I grew up and live on a beef farm with my partner Curtis. My past midwifery placements have included working with the midwives in the communities of Guelph and Cambridge. My elective placements involved working with Dr. Caulley in Owen Sound, The Family Birthing Centre of Walkerton, and I have also enjoyed spending time working in the special care nursery of Owen Sound, and with Brenda Scott, a local lactation consultant. I am excited to be working with Midwives Grey Bruce, and I look forward to being involved in your care.
Sara Vildis
Registered Midwife- Associate
My home town is up north in Lively, Ontario. In 2006, I entered the Midwifery Education Program at Laurentian University in Sudbury. I spent my first two midwifery placements in Sudbury as well. I have also done placements with a lactation consultant, a nurse at a sexual health clinic and with an obstetrician in Barrie. I spent my last year of midwifery studies in Alliston. My passions in midwifery are waterbirth and breastfeeding. I am very excited to be working with Midwives Grey Bruce and to explore the beauty of the land and water in the area. I look forward to meeting you and being a part of a very special time in your family’s life.
Martha Aitkin
Registered Midwife- Associate
Martha was born and raised on the Bruce Peninsula. After having 3 babies of her own – all homebirths with midwives in the 1980’s – she went back to school full time and completed the Midwifery Education Program at Ryerson University in 1996. Now, with 15 years of experience as a full time midwife in Ontario, Nunavut and Manitoba, Martha is happy to be working with the excellent team of midwives at Midwives Grey Bruce and very happy to be living and working in and around Owen Sound. Martha balances her working life with time in the great outdoors as well as some indoor hobbies such as knitting and sewing. She is also a part time student at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education in a Masters program.
Carys Ryan
Registered Midwife- New Registrant
Hello! I am so pleased to have joined Midwives Grey Bruce for my New Registrant year. My home town is Hamilton, but I spent the summers of my childhood on the Bruce Peninsula. I did my first clinical midwifery placement here in Owen Sound, so traveling Grey and Bruce Counties now as a midwife feels a bit like coming home! Before studying to be a midwife, I spent time at school for Photography and Women's Studies. I graduated from McMaster University's Midwifery Education Programme in May 2011, after completing my training in Kingston, Toronto, Owen Sound, and Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. The women and families and midwives I have had the pleasure of working with have taught me so much. I look forward to working with you too as you journey through the powerful experiences of growing and caring for a new little person!
Bonnie Blackburn
Practice Administrator
My involvement with the Midwives Grey Bruce started while working in a youth agency in Collingwood that often referred youths needing pre and postnatal care to the midwives. Prior to working at the youth agency, I worked for 23 years in a large factory making seat belts that moved its facilities in November 1991 to Mexico. Between November 1991 and October 1995 I enjoyed taking courses and working on short term contracts. I was hired by the Midwives Grey Simcoe for a part time position in 1995 and became their full time administrator in 1996.
I enjoy this fast paced, hectic environment that encompasses duties such as answering the phone to scheduling midwives to clients, scheduling the appointments, budgeting, finance, developing statistics, holding babies and young infants while the midwife is busy with their parents. My hobbies include gardening, computers, sewing, and knitting and reading, but my favourite pastimes are cooking, baking, cake decorating and chocolate making. Several times a year I travel to the United States and throughout Southern Ontario taking classes, attending and judging cake shows, teaching short classes and furthering my interest in the Sugar Arts. I belong to a Cake Decorating organization (ICES) which has about a 4500 membership that meets twice yearly to conduct a show and the business of the organization. In 1989 I was elected by the membership to serve a 3-year term on the ICES Board of Directors and was assigned the Membership Chairperson and International Chairperson positions. For the past 10 years I have been the secretary to the Representatives board. In 2001 at Portland, Oregon ICES awarded me with the Wilbur Brand Memorial Service award for my contributions and service to the organization.
Photo credit Melissa Pallister