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A founding mother of SMS, midwife Suzy Myers continues to share her expertise with students 30 years later. Read more>
Academic Faculty
The Department of Midwifery is proud of its outstanding academic and clinical adjunct faculty members, many of whom are state, national and international leaders in their area of expertise. Most of the instructors have been teaching with the former Seattle Midwifery School and now bring their years of experience to the Bastyr University classroom and clinical learning environments.
Jennifer Beardsley, MLIS holds a master’s degree in library and information science. She enjoys helping students hone their research skills and become more confident library users.
Leslie Butterfield, PhD is a clinical psychologist specializing in pre- and perinatal issues. She has worked with numerous organizations devoted to improving maternal-infant health and currently has a private practice. Leslie teaches the Counseling series of classes.
Heather Chorley, LM, PA is an SMS graduate who practices in Seattle. Before becoming a midwife she worked as a physician assistant for more than five years. Heather teaches Clinical Seminar.
Tracy Cooper, LM is an SMS graduate and also practices midwifery in Seattle. Tracy teaches Clinical Seminar.
Erin Curtiss, LM is a graduate of SMS and practices as a midwife in Seattle. She currently teaches Genetics and Embryology for Midwives.
Melissa Denmark, MA, LM has been the instructor for the Well Women and Assessment course at SMS for several years and is the secretary of the Midwives Association of Washington State (MAWS) board of directors. She is a midwife in Snohomish, Washington.
Colleen Donovan-Batson, CNM has been involved in women’s care and birth for more than 30 years. She teaches Pharmacology/ Treatments 1, Midwifery Care 5, and Master’s Project.
Helen Gabel, ARNP completed her nurse-midwifery training at Emory University in 1980 and has practiced in a variety of settings. She has taught Well Women and Assessment for more than twenty years!
Wendy Gordon, LDM, CPM is an SMS graduate who practices in Portland, Oregon. She is the recipient of the Jo Anne Myers-Ciecko Award for Outstanding Scholarship and Leadership. Wendy teaches Midwifery Care 1 and Professional Issues 1 & 2.
Emily Martin, MPH, PhD is an epidemiologist who also works for Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Global Alliance for Prevention of Prematurity and Stillbirth. She currently teaches Intro to Epidemiology for Midwives.
Mark R. Martzen, PhD is the Director of External Research Development and an Associate Research Scientist in the Bastyr University Research Institute. In addition to these responsibilities, he is also a member of the Bastyr University Institutional Review Board and he holds the CIP (Certified IRB Professional) certification. Mark teaches the Master's Research Project series of courses for the midwifery program.
Suzy Myers LM, CPM, MPH was one of the founding mothers of Seattle Midwifery School in 1978. She and midwifery partner Marge Mansfield have practiced in the Seattle area for 30 years. Suzy serves on the board of the National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM), and MAWS. Currently, she is the academic chair of the Department of Midwifery and teaches Midwifery Care 3, 4, & 6 and Professional Issues 4.
Stacey Oberst Peterson, RD, MSN holds a Master of Science in Nutrition from Bastyr Univeristy. She teaches Perinatal Nutrition 1 & 2.
Traci Palagi, LM, CPM is an SMS graduate who has practiced midwifery in both Washington and Montana. She is currently practicing as a midwife in Seattle. Traci teaches the Clinical Skills series of courses.
Kristin Rogers, LM is an SMS graduate and practicing midwife in Seattle. She is also the clinical coordinator for the midwifery program and currently teaches Midwifery Care 5.
Valerie Sasson, LM is an SMS graduate at enjoys a full and satisfying midwifery practice with Ali Tromblay, LM, CPM. She also partners with Ali to teach Midwifery Care 7.
Angela Schaerer, RM is an SMS graduate currently practicing in Victoria, B.C.. Angela currently teaches Midwifery Care 5.
Lois Thetford, PA-C is a certified physician assistant who as taught at SMS for 15 years. She has worked for 30 years in community healthcare and has won local and national awards for humanitarian service. Lois teaches Gynecology.
Ali Tromblay, LM, CPM is an SMS graduate and co-owner of a Seattle-area birth center. She recently served as president of MAWS and was also co-chair of MAWS’ Quality Management Program. Ali teaches Midwifery Care 7.