camille bush, rm
Apprenticeship, formal direct-entry midwifery education in the USA and a Canadian nursing degree have all contributed to my midwifery background. Over the years I have had occasion to assist families giving birth in California and Illinois in the USA; Holland and Germany in Europe; and as well a variety of settings in BC. I’ve provided midwifery care in rural group practice in the Kootenays, in urban partnership in Vancouver and in community based programs working with pregnant adolescents. In life, my greatest lessons about birth have come from the families I’ve assisted, my three children, and the wisdom of my Appalachian midwife grandmother who helped the neighbour ladies. Currently and prior to the beginning of regulated midwifery in 1998 I’ve been a part of the Midwifery Practice at BC Women’s located in the Women’s Health Centre. To me the connection between midwifery and women’s health is a natural one. I have been committed to both since the beginning of my apprenticeship in 1974. Just recently I found myself extending a mutual congratulations to the mother of the first baby I ever caught on our 30th anniversary on March 9th.
kate blake, ba bmw rm
My fascination with the miracles of pregnancy, childbirth and babies has been with me since early childhood. This early interest has since evolved into a passion for women’s health care and the desire to empower women by providing them with informed choice and evidence-based, personalized care during their childbearing experiences. The moment I discovered the profession of midwifery, I knew that it would be a perfect fit for me. I have worked with childbearing women for nearly 15 years. I am continually inspired by my work and deeply honoured to be able to share in this special time with growing families. I have a Bachelor of Midwifery from the University of British Columbia, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Queen’s University in Ontario. During my formal midwifery training I was fortunate to work with and learn from a variety of obstetric care providers in both Ontario and B.C., including midwives, obstetricians, perinatologists, maternity nurses and lactation consultants. I first attended births in 1997 while apprenticing with midwives at a waterbirth center in Guatemala City, Guatemala. I have worked internationally with midwives in a low-resource rural hospital in Togo, West Africa and at a community midwifery practice in Doesburg, Netherlands, where the majority of women chose to birth at home.\n\nMy greatest learning has come from giving birth to and raising my own children. I have two sons and a daughter, all of who were born with the help of midwives; they continue to be my best teachers and a constant source of joy and wonder. I am thrilled to be working in my own neighbourhood with Westside Midwives.
carole miceli, bsc, bmw, rm
From a young age I knew I wanted to be involved in working with childbearing women and their families. I was always fascinated with books about pregnancy, birth and newborns. Before embarking on my educational goals, I moved to Italy for two years, married, traveled and started our family, which now includes 5 beautiful busy children ages 16, 14, 9, 7 & 5. While completing my BSc at the University of B.C., I finished my breastfeeding counselor course and gained experience working as a doula. It was during this degree program that I realized Midwifery was my true passion. I am now a graduate of the Midwifery Program in U.B.C.s Faculty of Medicine. In addition to having worked and trained with numerous health care professionals in Vancouver, I have had the incredible experience of working internationally with midwives in Uganda, Africa at low-resource hospitals in Kampala and Masaka. I feel that my experience as a mother has given me the greatest insight into birth, breastfeeding and newborn care. I feel blessed to be able to work in a field that I love. I am excited to join Westside Midwives and I look forward to being a part of your growing family experience.