Lynne Aiken has been an educator for over 40 years. She has worked at the Infant and Toddler, Elementary, and Teacher Education levels in private and public institutions. Lynne also had a private piano studio, teaching both adults and children. Currently, Lynne is the Infant and Toddler Level Coordinator for Houston Montessori Center, a teacher education program. She consults with schools in the Houston, Austin, and greater southwest areas. Lynne has also been a practitioner of Compassionate Communication (CC) for over 10 years. She has led several courses and workshops to introduce the basic tenets of CC to a variety of groups and individuals. Lynne has 5 grown children, and many exchange student “children.” She enjoys reading, playing with her dog, Jazzercise, walking with her long-time friends, and telling stories.

Joli Ammons has been advocating for Houston’s birthing people as a doula since 2012. Her passion for birth work began when she was confronted with the realization that she had no idea how much of her power she had given away every time she went to the doctor and suffered through awkward encounters of implied consent. There was no one there to empower her to speak up. This ignited a passion to be a person who empowered people in their most vulnerable times, and she dove headfirst into an apprenticeship with Kathleen Wilson which turned into an amazing partnership. As a doula she has worked in all birth settings with a vast array of providers and attended over 430 births. She has trained in Rebozo, Reiki level 1, Labor Whispering, OFP, Spinning Babies, Sexuality in Birth, Dancing for Birth, Acupressure, Aromatherapy and Advanced Business Practice, just to name a few. Joli’s greatest accomplishment was the creation of Rebel Birth, a 6-class childbirth education curriculum written and taught by Joli and Kathleen with the goal of teaching birthing people and their partners how to advocate for themselves in birth as situations change and choices need to be made. They teach natural childbirth methods, but clients also walk away with an understanding of how the medications, tools, procedures and protocols in the hospital work. They have empowered hundreds of people who achieved satisfactory outcomes with the power to drive their care in any setting.
Joli lives in Spring Texas with her husband, mother-in-law, and two daughters and their numerous fur babies. She loves music, books, movies and board games. She collects piggy banks, yard statues and coffee table books. Her path to motherhood was challenging and was wrought with heartbreak, but it led to the adoption of her daughters who are her entire universe. She loves being outdoors and trying to befriend bugs and birds but her favorite thing in the world is sitting on the couch listening to an audiobook with a crochet project on their hook while her family, both human and animal, invade all of her personal space and compete for all the snuggles. http://www.rebelbirth.com/

Kiwasi Apeh is a wife and mother of three with over 20 years of experience in maternal health, where she served in roles as a Birth Doula, Womb Wellness Practitioner, and Childbirth Educator. She has also worked extensively in health and human services, supporting underserved communities and championing better access to care and resources. Kiwasi is the Founder and CEO of Black Birthworkers Rock, Patern-ology Solutions, and the international Nigerian based initiative Ufedo Birthwork and Global Resources. In her current roles as birthworker consultant, public health nurse, advocate, and community organizer, she continues to lead efforts to address disparities and improve public health outcomes worldwide. www.blackbirthworkersrock.com

Kreeana Block is the proud mother of one, welcoming her first child, Karter, with her wife Haley in June 2025. Both passionate about a natural birth experience, they chose to deliver at the Heart of Houston Birth and Wellness Center with the support of midwives and a doula. In preparation, they participated in a variety of classes offered through the Whole Heart Collective, covering everything from labor and birth to postpartum care. Kreeana works as a business technical analyst and is also a part-time undergraduate student. She is an aspiring author and entrepreneur, and when not busy with work, school, or motherhood, she enjoys pursuing creative projects and building a life rooted in purpose and connection.

Max BurrusWebb is a 2SLGBTQIA+/LGBT/Queer affirming birth doula who brings a unique perspective to the pregnancy and laboring experience. His background is in body work and physical therapy giving them a distinctive understanding of how to apply their skills as a doula to physiological birth. Their calming presence is reassuring to those they support, and their families. They are passionate about empowering all pregnant and birthing people. They feel that their position as a doula is to support the holistic health of families with the gestational carrier held at the center. They are a parent to their thirteen-year-old clone, who he birthed at home. He runs a suburban goat farm and has two giant fur babies that try to steal their bed. (Great Danes named Freyja and Kuma). They enjoy dad jokes, puns, and free books. They are a transmasc, nonbinary human. Max uses they/he pronouns. https://maximumdoulaservices.com/

Micaela Canales worked as a reproductive justice organizer throughout Texas and as a labor and delivery nurse for LBJ and Ben Taub Hospitals, before becoming a midwife. She attended deliveries at home and in birth centers as a new midwife and gained experience in physiologic labor, non-pharmacologic pain management, waterbirth, and complementary and integrative approaches. At Texas Children’s Hospital, Micaela brought community-based birth skills to a hospital-based midwifery practice while employing all the resources a hospital setting offers. She is passionate about reimagining healthcare systems to better serve whole communities. Micaela received her MSN in Nurse-Midwifery from Texas Tech, her BSN from UTHSC-Houston, and her BA in Anthropology and International Policy Studies with a focus on gender from Rice University. https://www.houstonmethodist.org/locations/childbirth-center/willowbrook/midwifery-services/ – 832-698-5515

Natanya Champney has been a homebirth midwife for over 17 years working mostly in rural northern New Hampshire in a solo practice.  She recently moved to The Woodlands, TX to take a job as a staff midwife at the Addice Birth Center and quickly took over the Clinical Director position after a few months. Natanya has a deep love of teaching and has been a preceptor for various schools around the country for many years. https://www.theaddice.com/

Frances Coleman is a wife and mother of three, deeply familiar with the dynamic of family and childbirth. She has dedicated her career to improving women’s health, serving as an educator in this field for 12 years. Throughout her career, she has worked with nonprofit and grassroots organizations, creating programs and educating new families, including one year with Healthy Start, eight years at Texas Children’s Hospital, and five years at The Woman’s Hospital of Texas. She is a licensed Midwife in Texas, certified through NARM with two years at direct entry midwife training. She has had the opportunity to work with three local midwives, gaining experience at more than 368 births. Frances recently founded Full Circle Family Services, offering midwifery car, doula services, postpartum services, educational classes and yoga. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Trevecca Nazarene University and a Master’s Degree in Public Health with focus on Women’s Health from Loma Linda University. She became a Licensed Midwife in Texas in 2019, is a Certified Lamaze Childbirth Educator, and is certified to teach Infant CPR, newborn care, and car seat installation. She also trained and worked as a doula through CAPPA. https://www.fullcirclefamilyserviceshtx.com/

JacQue Colson-Smith is a student midwife, Birth Assistant, Body Ready Method Pro, and Doula. She is passionate about empowered, transformational childbirth experiences–as it is your divine right.  With experience serving a diverse range of families, JacQue has also always contracted with organizations that provide doula support and advocacy for Black, BIPOC, and low-income communities. As a Body Ready Method Pro, she is trained to assess the pregnant body from head to toe, identify imbalances, and offer personalized movements that restore balance, ease discomfort, and support a smoother birth experience. JacQue expects to complete her midwifery education and training in about one to one and a half years. She looks forward to offering holistic, empowering midwifery care to the community in the proud legacy of her Grand-Midwife ancestors. Beginning next year, JacQue will also be offering Body Ready Birth classes, a whole-body, whole-person, holistic approach to preparing pregnant people and their partners for birth—so stay tuned! Www.RootedBirthkeeping.com (under construction); IG: @RootedBirthkeeping @InMyStudentMidwifeEra

Jube Dankworth is a dedicated mother of four and a proud “field trip grandma” to seven grandchildren, all of whom are homeschooled. With 22 years of homeschooling experience, Jube has become a national speaker, sharing her expertise with families across the country. Though she has yet to publish her books, Jube has authored two comprehensive 400-page websites focused on homeschooling. Her passion for education and community involvement led to her election as President of Texas Home Educators, a statewide organization that supports homeschool families through networking, resources, and events, helping parents enrich their children’s educational experiences. Learn more at www.texashomeeducators.org

Mackenzie Droll is a proud mom of 3 little people. She loved homeschooling for the first years of their lives, then slowly found a new passion after the birth of her last baby by providing childbirth education (Birth Boot Camp) to empower couples on their own journey to an amazing birth, as well as supporting new moms with postpartum services to lighten the load of the fourth trimester. You can find her serving in Spring, The Woodlands, Conroe, and Kingwood, TX. www.BirthingWithAwe.com

Teddy Gant is a Full Spectrum Doula located in Houston and has been serving his Community for 5 years. He’s extremely grateful to be able to support and provide important information to his people. One thing he’s passionate about and takes pride in is educating both parents, especially the partners. IG: @teddythedoula

Calida Gardner is an experienced certified nurse-midwife with a strong background in women’s health, prenatal and postpartum care, and family-centered birth support. She received her undergraduate nursing degree from Creighton University in 2007. She worked as a pediatric nurse prior to completing a Master of Science in Nursing degree with a specialization in Nurse Midwifery at Frontier Nursing University in 2013. Calida also has experience as a sexual assault nurse examiner. She is board certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board and brings both clinical excellence and a nurturing presence to every patient encounter. She is especially passionate about advancing maternal health outcomes, teen sexual health, PCOS management, newborn health, vaginal birth after previous c-section (VBAC), and promoting informed decision-making while delivering respectful, individualized care. When she is not at the bedside, Calida enjoys musical theater, being a dance mom, and spending time with family. https://www.houstonmethodist.org/locations/childbirth-center/willowbrook/midwifery-services/ 832-698-5515

Angelique Geehan coaches individuals and families; trains care providers so they can support their clients using baby carriers; and offers lectures, classes, workshops, and consultations on a wide array of topics, all with transformative justice frameworks in mind. She works to help others clarify their own values and align their lives with those values, which can involve questioning beliefs and practices that can deprive individuals of needed connection with themselves, their families, their clients, and their communities. Her goal is to seed communities with as much critical thinking, compassion, and authenticity as possible, while helping families get through their days more easily. You may reach her on social media or at www.angeliquegeehan.com.

Jessica Gonzales LM, CPM is a Queer Chicana and Partera working in the field of reproductive health for over 25 years. She is co-founder and Licensed Midwife at Heart of Houston Birth and Wellness Center in central Houston. A native to Houston, Jessica started her career as a medical assistant in a Title IX clinic in Texas where she witnessed the disparities in maternal and early childhood healthcare for people of the global community (PGC). In 2009 she began working with local organizations and individuals seeking to improve maternal mortality outcomes for PGC, abortion access across Texas, and full spectrum doula services for all birthing bodies. Jessica is also the creator of the Whole Heart Collective, a program with a strong focus on fostering community among new and expectant families. She has facilitated postpartum support circles and Queer parenting groups for over 10 years.  As a former doula and now Certified Professional Midwife, her ancestral gift of navigating the spaces between new life and death has afforded her the grand honor of welcoming over 500 new souls into our world. Jessica is the mother to two incredible kiddos, ages 10 and 7 and enjoys camping, reading, live music, and naps. https://www.heartofhoustonbirth.com/

Jihan Huq is a HypnoBirthing Educator, Clinical Hypnotist, and doula. Jihan is deeply passionate about birth, hypnosis, and an advocate for positive cultural changes within the Houston birth community. www.sakinahbirth.com, www.facebook.com/sakinahbirth, www.instagram.com/sakinahbirth.

Sarah Itz is the mother of 2 children who were exclusively cloth diapered, as well as the owner of The Pure Parenting Shop since 2013.  Sarah teaches families about cloth diapers through the shop and ran a cloth diaper service in Erie, PA for two years before moving back home to Houston, bringing her shop with her. Sarah’s passion is teaching and helping families learn more about what they want out of their adventure we call parenting. She has degrees in Child Development, Business and a Master’s in Education and teaches a variety of classes through The Pure Parenting Shop. www.thepureparentingshop.com

Rachel Jones is a native of Memphis, Tennessee, and a passionate educator, wife, and mother of five outstanding children. As both a dedicated homeschooler and birthworker, she devotes her time to raising healthy individuals who build healthy families and establish healthy communities. Rachel’s work is rooted in the belief that healed people heal people, a principle that guides her commitment to education, empowerment, and holistic family support. www.thecoolnerds.org

Carleigh Joseph-Olivas is a Licensed Master Social Worker, therapist, full spectrum doula, and parenting coach with over a decade of experience specializing in maternal mental health, family wellness, and empowering women throughout the transformative journey of motherhood. Her dedication and expertise in the perinatal sphere has made her a sought-after subject matter expert, prolific speaker and educator, addressing critical topics in maternal child health with afo cus on equity and emotional connection. Carleigh works in the community as the Director of Caring For Two, a program that provides support to mothers recovering from substance use disorder, and Director of Operations and Community Engagement for the Houston expansion of Delighted to Doula, a nonprofit postpartum doula agency that provides holistic support for mothers. With a deep commitment to ‘restoring the village,’ Carleigh is also the founder of Nurtured Roots Doula and Family Services, where she aims to address emotional, mental, and
social needs of families to cultivate healthy family roots that establish strong family trees. She is a proud graduate of THE Prairie View A&M University, loving wife and proud mother of her daughter, Maia. carleightjoseph@gmail.com

Ashly Kowalski, CPM, LM is a mother of 6 who had two VBAC births of her own. She has come to revere pregnancy, birth, and the growth of a family as one of the most beautiful things about humanity. As a graduate of the Association of Texas Midwives program, a Texas Licensed Midwife, and member of the Greater Houston Midwives Alliance as well as Association of Texas Midwives, she is privileged to help birthing parents and their partners make these experiences as positive and healthy as possible. Yellow Rose is a midwifery group formed with emphasis on creating the ultimate support for birthing parents of all backgrounds, family structures, and walks of life. www.yellowrosemidwives.com/

J. Lewis combines years of experience with education and compassion, using his talents to coach and motivate single fathers navigating the journey of parenthood alone. Seeing challenges as opportunities over struggles is the message he delivers through his one-to-one coaching and motivational speaking. https://jl3motivation.com/

Sandra McDonald, LM, CPM, has been a home birth midwife for 40 years and has extensive experience with water birth, breech, twins, VBAC, free birthing, and other birth scenarios. She has taught birthing and breastfeeding to parents and children, and midwifery classes on many topics to students and experienced midwives at conferences, workshops, and through the ATM-MTP. A former EMT, CPR and First Aid instructor, and wildlife rehabilitator, Sandra has attended thousands of home births, most of them human 🙂 She is comfortable with multiple modalities of care; providing individualized family-centered prenatal, birth, postpartum and newborn care entirely in the safety, privacy and convenience of your home. She has two homeschooled daughters, both born into the loving hands of midwives. midwife_sandra@yahoo.com

Holly Milkowski, CLSP, BBCI, SBD, was led by a passion for advocacy to volunteer as director of our local Saving Our Sons chapter, Intact Houston, since 2014. In her professional life at Your Labor Neighbor, she is multi-skilled as a childbirth educator, placenta encapsulator, student IBCLC, and former doula. Before Holly became the proud mother of two boys and caretaker of animals, she studied journalism. Be on the lookout for the book version of her past blog called Mama’s Milk, No Chaser. www.intacthealth.org

Dr. Lauren Pasqua is a licensed psychologist and specialist in maternal and infant mental health with over 15 years of clinical and leadership experience. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Early Childhood Mental Health at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and advanced interdisciplinary training through the LEND program. Today, Dr. Pasqua serves as Executive Director of the Center for Postpartum & Family Health, where she leads a collaborative team supporting perinatal mental health, early parent-child relationships, and maternal resilience. She speaks on postpartum wellbeing, emotion regulation, and building family-centered systems of care. https://cpfh.org/

Patricia “Trish” Perkins is a Certified Nurse Midwife with decades of experience supporting women through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. She began her career as a labor and delivery nurse, working alongside the Baylor Midwives. After raising her own family, she pursued her lifelong dream of becoming a midwife. Trish went on to practice full-scope midwifery at a free-standing birth center and was later recruited by Baylor College of Medicine to help open The Center for Children and Women at Greenspoint. There, she provided prenatal care, including high-risk pregnancies, as well as well-woman care and Centering Pregnancy support. Her experience also includes serving as a Lactation Consultant at St. Joseph’s Hospital, where she helped the facility achieve Texas Ten Step designation. Today, Trish owns and leads Bliss Birth Center in Conroe, Texas. She is passionate about providing high-quality, compassionate, and woman-centered care. With a unique blend of clinical expertise and personal dedication, she offers the kind of evidence-based midwifery care that women trust and deserve. For more information, visit www.blissbirthcenter.com.

KaTina Poe, CNM, APRN is a Certified Nurse Midwife guiding women and their families through intimate home birth experiences emphasizing alignment of mind, body, and spirit. She is a graduate of Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama and Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in Nashville, Tennessee. Midwife KaTina began working in the hospital right after graduation and pivoted to community birth in 2021 opening Amena Idir Midwifery, a home birth practice. Since then, she has learned how vast women’s health truly is. Being on the ground has really opened her eyes and ears to the needs of women beyond the medical. Being in the community has highlighted the need for support not only for families but for birth workers as well. She has a passion for hosting events that connect us all. She invites you to Aligned and Melanated, a gathering of birth workers and families to discuss the resources that are available and the resources we need. Also join us at Birth and Bougie, a birth worker appreciation gathering. When she’s not working, KaTina enjoys watching movies, eating yummy food, yoga, being outdoors, dancing, and shopping. If you love getting dressed up, she’s your girl! www.amenaidirmidwifery.com; IG: @midwifekatina

Eleanor Prado is a labor doula, student midwife, and is working towards her masters in herbalism. She’s a native Houstonian and loves exploring the city with her family. After 8 years of teaching high school, she transitioned into doula work. She has degrees in theology and anthropology and is passionate about the history of birth in America, inclusion and diversity, and how science and technology continue to advance in all birth settings. She is a doula because all people deserve to be surrounded by a community of unconditional support as they become parents. www.eleanorpradodoula.com

Eliana Pressel has more than 15 years of experience helping people go through their fears and difficulties, accepting and processing their emotions, helping with relationship issues, finding hope and solutions, and making life-changing decisions. She has expertise working with people with substance abuse and their families, as well as people with stress, anxiety, anger management, life transitions, self-esteem and body image issues, grief/loss, trauma, parenting, and immigration. She works with adults, children, couples, and families and offers services in English and Spanish (Hablo Español). Eliana obtained her degrees in Psychology and Counseling in her native country, Argentina, then moved here and got her Life Coach certification. Reach Eliana at: https://districtcounseling.center/therapy/eliana-pressel-2/ and https://www.orihopecounseling.com/eliana-pressel/.

Rebecca Rex co-founded P.R.O.V.E. (Parents Requesting Open Vaccine Education) in 1997 along with Dawn Richardson. P.R.O.V.E. is purely a grassroots organization promoting awareness about vaccine safety and advocating for medical privacy and informed consent. Their campaigns have contributed to positive legislative changes in state law including parental consent prior to immunization registry inclusion (1997), expansion of vaccine exemptions (2003), and overturning an executive order mandating HPV vaccine for 6th grade girls (2007). In 2021 P.R.O.V.E. worked to help draft SB 1669 which aimed to protect individual freedom and choice regarding vaccines in two ways. First by prohibiting discrimination against individuals based on their immunity status, and second it prohibited vaccine mandates of any kind – both governmental and private. P.R.O.V.E. also worked in 2023 to help pass SB 7 banning private employers from requiring Covid vaccination as a condition of employment. To keep up with legislation related to immunization policy, Rebecca recommends signing up on the NVIC Advocacy Portal, https://nvicadvocacy.org/members/ which tracks bills in every state and is run by Dawn Richardson. rebecca@rexassociationmanagement.com

Jolene Tollett discovered Montessori in Houston Texas twenty years ago and fell in love with the independence, age appropriateness and scaffolded leveling of the environments. After training with AMS, she taught in a public Montessori school in inner-city Houston for nine years, leaving to get a Master’s in Early Childhood Curriculum and Development. She is the Director of MOLO Bilingual (Mandarin) Montessori where she has led the school to full accreditation. Jolene does teacher and parent education, advocacy for Montessori as well as raising a Montessori teen and volunteering for Pup Squad Animal Rescue. jolenetollett@moloedu.com, molowestchase.com, https://www.instagram.com/molo_bilingual_montessori/, https://www.youtube.com/@molobilingualmontessorisch1665/videos

Alexandra Tran is a full spectrum doula, founding member of the Premier Doulas of Houston birth collective, co-owner of Nurtured Beginnings Doula Agency, and aspiring lactation counselor. She has been proudly serving Houston for over 15 years and is passionate about supporting families of all shapes and sizes as they bring their babies earthside and transition home. Her goal is to empower families and encourage confidence during big changes in life. Whether that is helping them navigate infant feeding, sleep, or just making sense of their new normal with compassion and unbiased support. www.houstonwombservice.com

Noemí Estrada Vasquez has over 18 years of experience nurturing the early childhood years. Noemí, or Ms. Mimi as she is best known, is a passionate educator and parenting coach who has devoted her life to supporting children and families. Her work centers on children from birth to age seven, with deep roots in both Montessori and Waldorf- inspired education. She is Montessori certified and has spent the last 12 years immersed in the Waldorf Philosophy through hands-on experience and specialized training. Mimi is the founder of Hand to Heart, a holistic parent support platform that offers guidance, seasonal subscription boxes, and play-based experiences rooted in developmental wisdom. She has developed original educational rubrics, mentored teachers into leadership roles, and grown inclusive learning communities grounded in warmth and connection. At this panel, Noemí hopes to share insights into the beauty and benefits of Waldorf education, a method she believes honors the whole child and invites families into a more present, meaningful way of growing together. IG: @handtoheartnurture

Haley Watters, PT, DPT is a passionate and dedicated physical therapist with a foundation in exercise and sports science. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Nova Southeastern University in 2021, where she was honored with the Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences’ Outstanding Student Award. She went on to complete her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Texas Woman’s University in 2024. Throughout her academic and clinical journey, Haley developed a deep passion for pelvic health and orthopedic care, shaped by personal experiences, hands-on internships, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Her graduate research focused on improving community healthcare access for underserved women, igniting a strong dedication to advocacy and inclusive care. After gaining valuable experience as a pelvic health physical therapist, she has chosen to pursue a residency with Texas Children’s Hospital, aiming to further specialize and elevate the quality of care she provides to her patients and community. A former collegiate swimmer with advanced training in strength and conditioning, Haley brings a performance-minded approach to rehabilitation, empowering others to embrace their inner athlete and pursue lifelong wellness. Outside the clinic, she enjoys audiobooks, weightlifting, hiking, and spending quality time with loved ones. https://www.texaschildrens.org/departments/womens-physical-therapy

Andie Wyrick, certified nurse midwife and doctor (yes, she’s that fancy), has been a beloved part of the Houston birth community for over twenty years. Her journey has taken her through elementary school nursing, hospital L&D, birth center, and home birth – collecting wisdom, experience, and probably a few wild birth stories along the way. She has an unshakable belief in a woman’s ability to grow and birth her baby and sees midwifery as a true partnership, empowering families through trust, knowledge, and a good dose of laughter. Andie’s approach is tender, funny, lighthearted, and refreshingly hands-off – offering evidence-based care with a side of snark and sass when needed. She’s been joyfully dating her hottie husband of 24 years (since junior high, no less) and is the proud mother of six incredible humans. Beyond bellies, birth, and breastfeeding, Andie’s passions include swooning over her husband, devouring books and period dramas, and indulging in truly obscene amounts of movie theater popcorn. Organizing a rando drawer? Pure bliss. Life in The Shire wouldn’t be complete without her wit, warmth, and magic touch. www.theshiremidwifery.com

David Zabinski is husband to Valerie Zabinski and father to his 11-month old, Lucia Rose. He owns his own private fitness center in The Heights, David Zabinski Fitness, and has been a personal trainer and nutrition coach for over 13 years. He specializes in golf fitness and is a Brazilian Ju-Jitsu Purple Belt.

Anne Zwicky has been teaching Bradley Method classes in Houston since 2011. Her classes focus on the partner/coach learning how to support in pregnancy and labor, making informed decisions, couples strengthening their bond, and building a community of parents to grow and support each other. atozbirth.com atozbirth@gmail.com

From a young age, Zainab knew she wanted to serve women and growing families. That calling led her to a career dedicated to supporting women through every stage of their reproductive journey. After earning her BSN from Prairie View A&M University and her MSN in Nurse Midwifery from Texas Tech University, she spent five years as a labor and delivery nurse. During this time, she realized her desire to have a deeper impact—impact not only through direct care but also through education, advocacy, and continuous support from the prenatal period through labor, delivery, and postpartum. Zainab’s experience spans a variety of birth settings, including home birth, birth centers, and the hospital environment as well as various populations. This diverse background has enriched her practice and allows her to provide tailored care that aligns with each family’s needs and values. She takes great pride in creating a compassionate, open environment where families feel heard, respected, and informed.

I am in charge of grunt labor and logistics for the Birth Fair. The Birth Fair has been a part of my family’s life for around 20 years. It is fun to see everyone each year. Father of 7, Chiropractor for 35 years, Reader, Teacher, Active life.

Frances Jones-Coleman is a Licensed Midwife, wife, and mom of three. With over a decade in women’s health working in hospital settings and with nonprofits, she now support families through a private birth practice, Full Circle Family Services. Frances holds a degree in Biology and a Masters in Women’s Health and Public Education. Frances has delivered over 350 babies since the inception of her private practice.

Dr. Gene La Monica is board certified in Maternal Fetal Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG), a member of the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM), a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist (ACOG) and a board certified Family Medicine physician (ABFM). Before joining the Pregnancy Specialty Center of Texas, he was an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs where he was voted a “Top Doc in Maternal Fetal Medicine” by the Colorado Springs Style Magazine in 2014 and 2015. He is a Voluntary Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine. Subsequently, Dr. La Monica was recruited by the Government of Qatar to help start a world class Women’s Hospital in Doha (Qatar), which he completed successfully and remained for five years. He obtained his medical degree from Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts and finished his Ob/Gyn residency and fellowship at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

Dr. Rife grew up in Tomball, Texas and attended Rosehill Christian and Tomball high schools. After completing a BS at Texas A&M she was admitted to UTMB at Galveston for medical school. Her pediatric residency was back at a Texas A&M program at Scott & White in Temple, Texas. Dr. Rife decided the best way to offer real care to patients is to run her own show and Rife Pediatrics began in 2020. . . Since Dr. Rife is living in East Texas, she utilizes telemedicine membership to continue care for her patients. Dr. Rife travels back to Tomball for a few days EVERY month to see patients and keep in touch with family in the area.

Dr. Candace Schwartzenburg received her medical degree from Louisiana State University at New Orleans 2019 and did her residency in 2023 at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. She is a resident physician in Houston and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital and Harris Health Ben Taub General and LBJ Hospitals.