Hello!

My Story

After falling in love with the midwifery model of care, I decided to make a whole career change so that I could care for birthing people and their families. I immediately set my sights on a degree in nursing to be followed by a midwifery degree from the oldest midwifery school in America, Frontier Nursing University. I was fortunate to be hired into the practice I trained with and was honored to join a group of well known and well respected midwives in the Toledo area. Midwifery is my first love. 

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Working in the American medical system, particularly the obstetric and gynecologic system, however brings with it unique challenges. As I witnessed access and outcome disparities happen before my eyes, I couldn't help but be drawn to public health as a necessary augmentation to my midwifery education. When I discovered the program at the University of Minnesota, led by some of the foremost maternal and child health researchers and academics in the country, I knew that was the perfect place to round out my sexual and reproductive health education. I truly enjoyed my time there and I am now a die hard public health devotee. I firmly believe that all medical professionals should have a dual degree in health care and public health. 

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While midwifery school provides a more than adequate education into the practice of midwifery and how to manage care of those who menstruate and give birth, it does not provide insight into the nuances of caring for people's most vulnerable communities. I always felt that as a midwife, it was my duty to seek out extra education into how to therapeutically communicate with people about sex, relationships, consent, and more. In a serendipitous turn of events, I learned that the University of Minnesota had a post-bacc certificate program in human sexuality. This certification covers the didactic portion of AASECT (American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists) certification. 

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In 2021, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I had taken a step back from full-time midwifery after having had my third child, but for some reason thought that was a good time to obtain my public health education. But most importantly, that was also when I developed the concept for, and eventually opened Solace Health and Wellness, a 501c3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to sexual and reproductive health, wellness, and justice for marginalized communities. Under our three pillars of education, advocacy, and outreach, we provide a range of services that fall under the reproductive justice "umbrella". As we build our presence as a trusted name in Toledo, we welcome all partnerships and collaborations. We are honored to partner with other giants in the community such as Women of Toledo, the NW Ohio LGBTQ+ Coalition, and Queen's Village Toledo.