Meet the Staff
FHBC Midwives
Cynthia Bullock Flynn, CNM, PhD, General Director
Cynthia Flynn is a nurse-midwife and most recently an Associate Professor of Nursing at Seattle University. There she not only taught, but remained in full scope clinical midwifery practice at Valley Medical Center. She also owned the Columbia Birth Center, which she established and operated for eight years, a licensed and accredited center, located in Kennewick, Washington. Dr. Flynn has also had international experience in Jamaica, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Cynthia is a 1996 nurse-midwifery graduate of Yale University. Prior to her entry into the health care field, she had a distinguished career as a Doctor of Sociology, earned in 1974 at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where she focused on migration and social change. She was a tenured Associate Professor of Sociology and research associate at the University of Kansas from 1975 to 1979. Cynthia also managed the Kitsap District External Delivery Systems of the Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound prior to her entry into nurse-midwifery. From 2007-2009, Cynthia served as the President of the American Association of Birth Centers. She is thrilled to be joining the Family Health and Birth Center, and looks forward to the many challenges and rewards of her new position
Lisa Betina Uncles, CNM, MSN, Clinical Director
Lisa is a young baby-boomer for whom Midwifery & women's health is a third career. Lisa worked as a chemist and then a nurse in the US Virgin Islands where she lived for 22 years. She is the mother of two wonderful adolescent sons. Lisa received her Chemistry degree from Bucknell University. She received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from John Hopkins University and her midwifery education from Frontier Nursing Service. Her Master's degree comes from Case Western Reserve University. In her own words, her personal mission is to nurture and serve her neighbor.
Ebony Roebuck, CNM, MSN
Ebony was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey but raised in sunny Orange County, California. Always fascinated with the pregnant body, her matriculation started with Biology Pre-Med and ended with a Masters in Midwifery. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Georgetown University in 2004. From there, she worked at INOVA Fairfax Hospital as a Labor and Delivery nurse for 3 years. In 2007, she obtained her Masters in Midwifery from the Midwifery Institute at Philadelphia University. She has spent time in Central America and speaks Spanish. Ebony has lived in the DC metro area for the last 9 years and loves being a DC resident; Eastern Market and Tryst are a few of her favorite spots! When she’s not catching babies, she enjoys dancing, music, movies, and travel.
Sierra Casillas, CNM
Sierra has wanted to be a Midwife since she was a small girl growing up in Northern Virginia. After graduating from the University of Utah, Sierra moved back to DC to pursue that dream. Before becoming a midwife, Sierra lived in South America where she learned to speak Spanish. In her own words, Sierra's passion is ensuring that every woman has access to health care, no matter what race she belongs to or what language she speaks. She is happy to be fulfilling that passion each day with the families of the Family Health and Birth Center.
Kandace Thomas, CNM, MSN
Kandace Thomas grew up in Clinton, Maryland. She received her BA in biology from St. Mary's College of Maryland and completed her MSN at Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio. She happily returned home to the DC Metro area in 2009 to pursue her dream of providing personal, quality health care to women throughout the life span. Kandace says this about working at the Family Health and Birth Center: “One of my best and most beloved preceptors summed up midwifery in the perfect way for me during my last semester in school. She told me that ‘Midwifery is about meeting the Woman where she is at’. I feel tremendously blessed to work at FHBC where I have the freedom and support to do just that.”
Erika Sawyer, CNM, MSN
Erika is a San Francisco Bay Area native who complete her midwifery education at Columbia University in New York City. As an undergrad, she studied Political Science, and afterwards traveled the world before eventually coming home and putting her political ideals to work in the healthcare field. While in the bay area she spent several years working in free clinics and women's community clinics, where she discovered her passion for empowering women by teaching them about their bodies (she will definitely ask you if you want to see your cervix!) She also trained as a doula and instantaneously became hooked on the beauty and energy of birth. Since then she's had the incredible privilege of helping many beautiful babies greet the world, and is still deeply moved by the experience every time. When she's not completely absorbed in her rewarding job at the birth center, she enjoys biking, getting to know DC, and planning her next adventure...
Dorothy Lee, CNM, BSN
Dorothy has been a midwife for 20+ years, and is recently returning to the "birthing" part of the job. She’s finding it all to be very exciting! Dorothy has always remained involved in prenatal/postpartum care, but took time off from a busy call schedule to raise her two kids, one of whom will be leaving for college this Fall. Dorothy worked as a nurse in Hematology/Oncology and then as a Visiting nurse before getting her Midwifery degree from Frontier Nursing Service in the 80's. Dorothy loves her profession, and it’s apparent to all of the women who work with her and receive her care. Helping women and families have their babies and learn about birth is very important to her.
Judith Krones, CNM
Judith has been a midwife since 1989 and has been at FHBC in a variety of different roles since 2004. She studied midwifery at Yale University and although she is from New York, has been in DC for almost 20 years! Educating women about their choices in health care and childbirth and partnering with women to create plans for healthy lifestyles is her passion. She also loves teaching midwifery. Judith also has two school-age daughters of her own, and parakeets!
Nora Fisher, CNM, MSN
Nora was born in Washington, DC, and grew up in Rockville, Maryland. She completed her Nursing degree in 1986. She worked as a women's health/labor and delivery nurse for ten years, finding time to deliver her two children, one at a birth center and the other at home. She completed her Midwifery Certificate Program through the Frontier Nursing Service of Hyden, Kentucky in 1995. In the same year she completed her Master's degree in Nursing at the Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She worked for a brief time at the now closed Baltimore Birth Center, and spent eleven years at the Takoma Women's Health Center as a midwife. She is pleased to have been working at FHBC since September 2007.
Karen Pelote, CNM, MSN
In 1987, Karen graduated from the University of Maryland and into the world of nursing. She worked in various hospital settings in maternal and child health for 18 years. In 2005, she fulfilled her long-time dream of becoming a Certified Nurse-Midwife, graduating again from U of M with an MS degree. She currently works as a per diem at FHBC, while still finding time to be a wife and the mother of six wonderful kids.
Pediatric Providers
Marcia Jackson-Hooper, PNP, BSN
Marcia is a DC native, born and raised in Ward 6, and currently a resident of Ward 7. Marcia has been with the Birth Center since we opened our doors, and she was the original creative force behind the pediatric practice. Born and raised in DC, Marcia knows this community inside and out, and in many cases she has cared for multiple generations of the same family. Marcia received her nursing degree in 1968 from the Freedmen's Hospital School of Nursing. She then went on to Catholic University, where she received her BSN in 1972, followed by her Pediatric Nurse Practitioner degree in 1975. Somewhere in there, she also found time to have a son, who himself has gone into nursing. Marcia prefers working with children; she is passionate about kids and has dedicated the majority of her career to this work. Children also seem to like her, and she has become a trusted source of care for countless families within our community.
Amy Nassar, CNP, FNP
Amy has been a Family Nurse Practitioner since 1998. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings over the past ten years, including a busy rural family practice, a homeless clinic in Maryland, a diabetes institute at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and a cardiology practice at George Washington University Hospital. Amy is currently the Director of Operations of FHBC’s partner organization, the Healthy Babies Project, and Nurse Practitioner for the 2 Week Postpartum Mom/Baby Clinic at the FHBC. Amy was the President of the Nurse Practitioner Association of the District of Columbia in 2005 and is the Vice-Chair of DC’s Board of Nursing. Most importantly, Amy is the proud mother of Naomi - who was cared for and caught by the midwives of the Family Health and Birth Center in 2007.
Administrative
Madeleine Beebe, Development Associate
Madeleine was born in Santa Barbara, California into the hands of a Midwife named Middy. Madeleine came to DC to attend American University, where she studied International Development and Philosophy. She became seriously interested in women’s health while living abroad in Ghana during college, and returned to Africa after graduating to work in a Maternity Ward in rural Kenya. Madeleine has been with FHBC since late 2007, working as a Doula, front office assistant, research assistant and grant writer. She is now acting as Development Associate, coordinating FHBC’s grant writing, fundraising and data collection efforts. Madeleine feels privileged to work in a place that embodies her belief in the inherent strength, beauty and capacity of all women. She is also absorbing the wisdom of her amazing colleagues as she hopes to join their ranks as a Midwife in the not too far off future.
Sherese Gatling, Office Manager
A native of the DC Metropolitan area, Sherese was born in Washington D.C. and raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland. She has worked in the office at the Family Health and Birth Center just shy of a year. She has obtained a B.A. in Health Administration and Policy from UMBC, and is currently in the process of pursuing a B.S.N. in Nursing. It has been a long-time goal for Sherese to work in a stand-alone non-profit organization whose mission collaborates with her belief that access to quality healthcare and resources should be a right for all, and not a privilege. She enjoys cooking, playing softball, traveling, music and movies.
Front Office Team
Ali Salissou
Jaleesa Hopkins
Roxana Trejo
Additional Programs for the Reduction of Infant and Maternal Disparities
Angela Ewing-Boyd, Breastfeeding Promotion Program Director
Angela Ewing-Boyd is our Kellogg Program Director. In addition to her Bachelor’s in Social Work, she has trained as a childbirth educator, doula and Breastfeeding Peer Counselor and is currently training as a board certified lactation consultant. In her senior year at Columbia College, Angela was recognized as the Social Worker of the Year. Previous awards include the inaugural Angela Ewing Award in 1996, developed in her honor and given annually by the Building Cultural Bridges Steering Committee to an individual or group who has given outstanding service in working to unify their school community. Angela was so awarded in recognition for the Dreher Race Unity Task Force, founded in 1992 when Angela was a junior in high school; it is still one of Dreher High School’s most active clubs. This club was one of the first of similar task forces subsequently established around the state. In 1996, Angela also co-founded Campaign Hit the Streets, a community service project for children in a low-income housing area. In 2001, Angela was recognized for this work with the Year of the Child Hero Award, given by South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges to individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication and work for children in South Carolina. Angela is also the mother of three amazing girls, Ananda, Satiya and Zaynab.
Joan Brickhouse, Community Health Worker & Breastfeeding Peer-Counselor
Before becoming a staff member, Joan was a client at the Developing Families Center for 4 years. She was well known as a wonderful mom who had given birth with the Birth Center, and also as a breastfeeding mom and breastfeeding advocate. Joan started as a volunteer, before becoming a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (BFPC) and Doula. Joan has now been a BFPC for two years, and loves helping moms with breastfeeding, educating them on the importance of breastfeeding their babies and giving them the tools to educate others about breastfeeding. Joan is also the proud mother of three boys and doubles as FHBC comedian. In her own words, “I make people laugh and smile because being here at FHBC takes the stress away and brings you closer to your happy place. Christmas in the making is the definition of a Birth Center.”
Tina Pangelinan, Community Health Worker & Breastfeeding Peer-Counselor
Tina is a Left Coast transplant, having happily relocated to the District in 2007. Tina is the mother of two beautiful children, Kokotowa and Sia Rosalia. Her daughter Sia was a born at the Family Health and Birth Center in late 2008 and is still happily breastfeeding. Tina joined our team as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor in early 2009 and is very excited to be a part of the community health work that happens at the Birth Center. She has spent most of the past twenty years working in hospitality across the country as well as abroad. She has also found time to become a certified yoga instructor, a skill set that she looks forward to sharing with the staff and clients at FHBC. In her words, “it is a gift and an honor to be a support to local moms and families”.
Keishawn Williams, Community Health Worker & Breastfeeding Peer-Counselor
Keishawn is a proud, single mom of two children. She is also an FHBC mom and a natural breastfeeding advocate, having breastfed both of her babies. She was born and raised in Washington, D.C. and graduated from Spingarn Senior High School in 2004. She is currently a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor and she brings a quiet strength and beautiful attitude to our team. In her own words, Keishawn “loves supporting and encouraging moms and moms to be with breastfeeding.”
Katie Daily, Volunteer Doula Program Coordinator
Katie Daily is an active birth doula, supporting birthing families across the DC metro area, and certified through DONA International. She joined FHBC as a volunteer birth doula in 2007. Katie believes strongly in DONA's mission of a doula for every woman who wants one, and works with FHBC to make that happen. Prior to becoming a doula she worked with immigrant families at Mary's Center for Maternal and Child Care, Inc. As a health educator through AmeriCorps she provided HIV testing, counseling, education at the clinic and on the mobile unit the Mama and Baby Bus. Then as an outreach worker with Healthy Start Healthy Families, she provided pregnancy testing and options counseling, recruiting families across DC for prenatal medical and social services. Finally, she joined the clinic team and coordinated prenatal care services, ensuring early access to care. Currently she is supporting the implementation and growth of the birth doula and waiting room education programs at FHBC. Katie is an experienced and enthusiastic community health worker trainer, well versed in popular education techniques, and fluent in Spanish.
Therese Robinson, Preterm Doula Coordinator
Therese has facilitated as a doula at Family Health Birth Center since 2006. She obtained her certification through ALACE & ICTC as a professional Labor Doula/Birth Companion and is a member with CAPPA Operation Special Delivery as State Coordinator for Maryland and DC. She is a member with La Leche League International and is trained as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor and Program Administrator. In addition to her work as a doula, Therese is a certified massage therapist, trained at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California. She specializes in prenatal/postpartum massage and assists new moms with infant massage for their newborns. Therese is a native Washingtonian and resides in DC. Her mission is to provide optimal care, emotional support and encouragement during birth with a gentle touch.
Holly Poole-Kavanna, Wellness Coordinator
Holly Poole-Kavana began working with the Family Health and Birth Center in 2006, doing data collection, grant programs support, front office, and phlebotomy. She currently acts as Wellness Coordinator with the goal of increasing health and wellness education at the Developing Families Center. Holly holds a BS in biology and has studied herbal medicine since 2005. She has a diversity of experience in a wide variety of health care and wellness settings, and brings a unique and valued perspective to the Birth Center.
Alisha A Hetmyer, Wellness Educator
Alisha joined FHBC in 2009 as the Waiting Room Wellness Educator. She helps clients make healthy choices by providing engaging education through games, distribution of information and demonstrations. She has two children, sixteen-year-old Carlotta and nine-year-old Andrew. Her background is in customer service and banking, and she is excited to be putting her sales skills and positive personality towards a cause she cares about. In Alisha’s own words, “I hope this helps our clients to a better life.”
Interns/Volunteers
FHBC is extremely thankful to the numerous interns and volunteers who have supported us over the years. We are always welcoming new interns and volunteers, please call or email volunteercoordinator@yourfhbc.org if you are interested.
Founder & Board of Directors
Ruth W. Lubic, CNM, EdD, Founder
Ruth Watson Lubic is a nurse-midwife and applied anthropologist. Known for her work in developing the freestanding birth center model, Dr. Lubic has received honorary degrees and special recognitions from eight universities and is the first nurse to have received a MacArthur Fellowship. She served for two years as an Expert Consultant to the Assistant Secretary for Health in Washington. She has published widely, is a member of the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine and in 2001 received its prestigious Lienhard Award. The American Academy of Nursing, also in 2001, named her a Living Legend. The American College of Nurse-Midwives honored her with its highest recognition, the Hattie Hemschemeyer Award. She has been made an Honorary Member of Alpha Omega Alpha, the medical honor society. In 2006, the American Public Health Association conferred its Martha May Eliot Award.
Currently, Dr. Lubic serves as Founder of the Family Health and Birth Center and Founder and President Emerita of the Developing Families Center, an innovative, collaborative service located in the District of Columbia. The service is designed to improve the health and quality of life of childbearing and child rearing families, particularly those of low income who suffer high rates of infant and maternal morbidity and mortality. The model has reduced significantly the disparities found between African American and other populations.
Basil W. Henderson, Jr., President
Jermane Bond, PhD, Vice President
David Intracaso, Treasurer
Rachelle Adams, Secretary
Ingrid Beckles
Brigette M. Courtot
Irene Forsman
Marcia G. Jones
Nubia Y. Jones
Wilhelmina Lawson
William Lubic
Andria S. Miano
Deborah K. Staudinger, Esq. of Hogan & Hartson, Pro Bono Counsel