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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
Seattle Midwifery School is proud of its outstanding academic and clinical adjunct midwifery faculty members, many of whom are state, national and international leaders in their area of expertise. From epidemiology to advanced midwifery care to marketing your midwifery business, SMS faculty bring years of experience to the classroom and clinical learning environments and a wisdom and enthusiasm you find at no other school.
Jennifer Beardsley, MLIS, Library Tutorial - Jennifer holds a master’s degree in library and information science. She enjoys helping students hone their research skills and become confident library users.
Leslie Butterfield, PhD, Counseling Skills for Midwives - Leslie 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.
Heather Chorley, LM, Clinical Seminar - Heather is an SMS graduate who practices in Seattle. Before becoming a midwife she worked as a physician assistant for more than five years.
Tracy Cooper, LM, Clinical Seminar - Tracy graduated from SMS in 1998 and practices midwifery in Seattle.
Darlene Curtis, LM, CPM, Clinical Seminar - Darlene became involved in birth work in 1991 as a VBAC activist and doula. She graduated from SMS in 1998. Darlene founded a birth center and has enjoyed a busy practice in Everett WA since 1999.
Erin Curtiss, BA, LM, Genetics and Embryology
Melissa Denmark, MA, LM,Well Woman Health and Assessment - Melissa has been an instructor for the Well Woman Health and Assessment course at SMS for several years and is currently the secretary of the Midwives Association of Washington State (MAWS) board of directors. She has a private midwifery practice in the Greenwood neighborhood of Seattle.
Helen Gabel, ARNP, Well Woman Health and Assessment - Helen completed her nurse-midwifery training at Emory University in 1980 and has practiced in a variety of settings. She currently practices part-time at the University of Washington Midwifery Service.
Wendy Gordon, LDM, CPM, Midwifery Care 1, Professional Issues - Wendy is an SMS graduate who practices in Portland OR. She is a recipient of the Jo Anne Myers-Ciecko Award for Oustanding Scholarship and Leadership.
Tracy McDaniel, ND, LM, Pharmacology and Treatments - Tracy graduated from Bastyr University as a doctor of naturopathic medicine with additional certification in naturopathic midwifery. She has a private practice in Seattle.
Suzy Myers LM, CPM, MPH, Midwifery Care 2, 3, 4 & 6 - Suzy was one of the founding mothers of SMS in 1978. She and midwifery partner Marge Mansfield have practiced in the Seattle area for 30 years. Suzy served on the SMS Board of Directors since its inception and serves on the board of the National Association of Certified Professional Midwives.
Stacey Oberst Peterson, RD, MSN, Nutrition for the Childbearing Year, Basic Nutrition - Stacey is a graduate of the University of British Columbia and Bastyr University. She is a midwifery consumer and has a private practice in Maple Valley WA.
Stephanie Safholm, MEd, Education Skills - Stephanie holds a master’s degree in adult education and English as a second language from Seattle University. She is also a certified doula and childbirth educator.
Valerie Sasson, LM, Midwifery Care 7 - Valerie is an SMS graduate and enjoys a full and satisfying midwifery practice with Ali Tromblay, LM, CPM.
Lois Thetford, PA-C, Gynecology - Lois is a certified physician assistant who has taught at SMS for 14 years. She has worked for 30 years in community healthcare and has won local and national awards for humanitarian service.
Ali Tromblay, LM, CPM, Midwifery Care 7 - Ali is an SMS graduate and co-owner of a Seattle-area birth center. She recently served as president of MAWS and is co-chair of MAWS’ Quality Management Program.
Karen Wernli, PhD, Epidemiology for Midwives - Karen is a faculty member at the University of Washington and a midwifery consumer.