I was born in Washington, DC and raised in Arlington, VA. I attended Cornell University, where I got my Bachelors of Science in 1992 and then received my Master's Degree in Health Education from New York University in 1994. After teaching in Virginia for 4 years, I moved to Seattle, WA in 1998 where I taught for 10 years (mostly 8th & 12th grades) before going back to school at the University of Washington, where I received my Bachelor's of Science in Nursing in 2009 and my Masters of Nursing in 2011. I was called to midwifery and resisted it for many years but finally realized that if I did not pursue it, I would regret it. Caring for families is deeply meaningful to me, and brings me a great deal of joy. Birth is an intense and empowering experience to witness. My philosophy as a midwife is that we are a team, making decisions about your care, and I can provide expertise and evidence while we discuss options and make the best decision for you.
I began my midwifery career at Treasure Valley Midwives in Boise, ID where I worked for almost 3 years supporting women in home and birth center birth. In 2014, I returned to the Seattle area and was a founding midwife of Swedish Midwifery Issaquah, a hospital based practice, and was there until joining Anacortes Midwifery in late 2022. I have been an IBCLC since 2019.
As much as I wanted them, I was not able to have children, so it is an honor to be present and supportive in the lives of so many families. Instead of kids, I have dogs, cats, chickens and ducks. They bring me joy and company every day. I love to read, hike, play with my dogs, garden, play board and card games with friends, and meet new people.
I am excited to be a part of the team at Anacortes Midwifery Care and provide care to the women and families of Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands. I will be attending births at home and hope to support Miranda at Island hospital, as well.
I prefer she/her/hers gender pronouns.
*Kelly attends birth at IslandHealth and in homes on Fidalgo and North Whidbey Islands and west of I-5.