Full Circle Midwifery

Gov. Rick Snyder makes appointments to the Michigan Board of Licensed Midwifery
Friday, April 14, 2017

LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the initial appointments to the Michigan Board of Licensed Midwifery.

Housed within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, the 12-member board, in conjunction with LARA, will establish and implement the licensure program for the practice of midwifery in the state.

“I thank these individuals for their commitment to ensuring pregnant women and their babies are properly taken care of all across our state,” Snyder said.

Members serving terms expiring Dec. 31, 2019:

Debra Fisch of Ann Arbor is principal of a solo law practice, and was previously a senior researcher at the University of Michigan Medical School, focusing on policy issues surrounding childbirth, maternity care and women’s health. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, and The Big Push for Midwives. Fisch holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School. She will represent a member of the general public who is a consumer of midwifery care.

Amanda Howell of Clinton is a partner and owner of New Moon Midwifery, with more than 17 years in the homebirth midwifery practice. Howell holds a dual bachelor’s degree in scientific illustration and anatomical and biological art, as well as a master’s degree in medical and biological illustration from the University of Michigan. She will represent midwives.

Dr. Tami Michele of Fremont is the medical director and department chair for Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial. She previously served as a prenatal health and exercise teacher, certified childbirth educator, and doula. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a doctor of osteopathic medicine from Michigan State University. She will represent a board certified obstetrician-gynecologist.

Geradine Simkins of Maple City is the owner and founder of Birthways Consulting LLC and is an expert consultant and investigator for the National Institutes of Health in Rockville, MD. She is a registered nurse and certified nurse midwife, with more than 22 years of experience, including serving as a consultant and midwife for the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, and as executive director for the Midwives Alliance of North America. Simkins holds a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University, a nurse midwife certification from Frontier University School of Midwifery and Family Nursing, and a master’s degree in nursing and women’s health from Case Western Reserve University. She will represent certified nurse midwives.

Nicole White of Detroit is a professional midwife. White graduated from Maternidad La Luz, a Midwifery Education Accreditation Council approved program, and holds a midwifery certification from the North American Registry of Midwives. She will represent midwives.

Members serving terms expiring Dec. 31, 2020:

Stacia Proefrock of Ann Arbor is the owner of Trillium Birth Services and the president of the Michigan Midwives Association. Proefrock attended Washtenaw Community College, holds a midwifery certification from the North America Registry of Midwives, and attended Eastern Michigan University. She will represent midwives.

Heather Robinson of Detroit is the owner of Birth Beautiful Detroit. She has assisted more than 150 women as a childcare educator, doula, and an assistant and primary homebirth midwife. She is a paramedic with the Detroit Fire Department and the emergency department at St. Joe’s Mercy Oakland Hospital. She holds a certification from Birthwise Midwifery School and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the University of Michigan. Robinson will represent midwives.

Connie Perkins of Mason is the founder and director of Midwife Red Cedar Birth and Botanicals, and is vice president of the Michigan Midwives Association Board of Directors. She attended the Midwives College of Utah and completed the North American Registry of Midwives evaluation process and clinical midwifery training. Perkins will represent midwives.

Katheryn Mazzara of Howell is the executive director and owner of Mazzara Midwifery Services, LLC. She holds a midwifery certification from the North American Registry of Midwives. She will represent midwives.

Members serving terms expiring Dec. 31, 2021:

Patrice Bobier of Hesperia is owner and senior midwife of Full Circle Midwifery Service, Inc. Bobier is a member of the Midwives Alliance of North America, the Michigan Midwives Association, and the National Association of Certified Professional Midwives. Bobier holds a midwifery certification from the North American Registry of Midwives. She will represent midwives.

Dr. Donald Greydanus of Portage is a professor and founding chair of the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. He served in the United States Navy Medical Corps and received an honorable discharge in the Inactive Reserves as a general medical officer in 1985. Greydanus holds a bachelor’s degree from Calvin College, and a medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He will represent a board certified pediatrician.

Claretta Duckett-Freeman of Lansing is an assistant teacher at Kidtime Child Development Center. She also is a volunteer leader and organizer for Willow Tree Family Center in Lansing, and co-facilitates a breastfeeding group. She also served in the United State Army Reserves from 2001 – 2007. Duckett-Freeman holds a dual bachelor’s degree in elementary education and political science from Michigan State University. She will represent the general public.

After their initial appointments, members will serve four-year terms. Their appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.