Midwives
Catherine Alstrup, RM
My name is Catherine Alstrup and I am pleased to be part of the team of Registered Midwives working in the Kawartha area. I was born and raised in Kingston, Ontario. I received a Bachelor of Music degree from Queen’s University in 1994, and spent many years working as a musician in Providence, Rhode Island and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. My own birthing experiences led me to midwifery, and I pursued training as a childbirth educator, La Leche League Leader and as a doula when my children were young. I graduated from the Midwifery Education Program at Ryerson University in 2015. Throughout my education I was fortunate to have placements in the communities of Peterborough, Belleville and Cobourg. Before joining Kawartha Community Midwives I worked as a Registered Midwife in Oshawa, Ontario. When I am off-call I love spending time with my family. I also enjoy activities such as playing music, reading and running. I feel honoured and privileged to be providing midwifery care to the women and families in this community and I thank you for allowing me to share in your journey through pregnancy and childbirth. I look forward to meeting you and your family!
Vanessa Taylor R.M.
Jaylene Mory, RM
I have been working as a registered midwife since January 1994. I started a midwifery career in Toronto. Together with Susan Howlett I co-founded Kawartha Community Midwives in Peterborough in 1995. I am honoured to be working with women and families during such a powerful life journey. Welcoming babies into the world and nurturing the birth of new families is a delight and joy in my life.
Susan Howlett, RM
I have been a registered midwife in Ontario since November, 1994. I first worked for one year at Riverdale Community Midwives in Toronto. Along with Jaylene Mory, we co-founded Kawartha Community Midwves in 1995. I am also certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) and have a Masters in Lactation Consulting. We are now offering extra breasteeding support thorugh our breastfeeding clinic on-site at Kawartha Community Midwives on. I look forward to working with you.
Kaitlin Murray, RM
Hi! My name is Kaitlin Murray and I am thrilled to be practicing midwifery in my hometown of Peterborough. Even as a young child I had an interest in pregnancy and birth that went beyond average childhood curiosity. When my aunt who is a nurse suggested I become a midwife it sparked my interest and there began my passion for midwifery. I graduated from Trent University with an honours degree in English Literature in 2007. I also completed my Bachelor of Education in the primary/ junior stream in 2010. Although I truly enjoyed working with young children during my school placements I knew my calling was midwifery and I began the Midwifery Education Program at Laurentian University in September 2010. I spent the majority of my placements in the Durham region learning from some fantastic midwives. I also had placements at Peterborough Regional Health Centre. When I am off call I enjoy going for trail walks with my husband and dog, reading, relaxing at a cottage, knitting and cross-country skiing. I am happy to be working at Kawartha Community Midwives and I look forward to serving the women and families of my home community.
Lisa Chappell, RN RM
Hi, I’m Lisa Chappell RN RM . I have been working as a Registered Midwife here at KCM since October 2004. I began my path to Midwifery as a registered nurse, graduating from Fleming College in Peterborough in 1988. Starting as an Obstetrical nurse in labour and delivery in Toronto, I moved to Vancouver in 1992 where I worked at BC Womens’ Hospital in low and high risk obstetrics and fetal medicine. I also worked through the Vancouver General Hospital emergency department as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner for 8 years.
After moving back to the Peterborough area in 2000, I was employed at PRHC birthing suite before finally heading off to England to do my midwifery training, receiving my BSC Honors in Midwifery at Canterbury UK in 2003.
Throughout my career in Women’s Health, my focus and satisfaction comes from guiding people and their families through the profound experiences that test, empower and strengthen us to believe in ourselves and our abilities. I feel that birthing is one of the most powerful of these experiences, and I am honored to be both a witness and a participant.
I am also currently the Lead Midwife at PRHC, representing and promoting our profession at our local hospital in order to give the Peterborough and surrounding community choices in their birthing experiences.
Otherwise I’m gardening, quilting, about to exercise and madly in love with my grandbaby Iris Marie <3
Lisa Wishnefsky, RM
Work in progress.....
Gyulane "Kathy" Balazs, RM
My name is Kathy Balazs and I began my midwifery career in 1984 in Hungary. At the age of 3 I decided I wanted to be a midwife and after so many years I still feel like it is an honour to welcome a new baby into the world. I immigrated to Canada with my family in 2004 and began the International Midwifery Preregistration Program at Ryerson University in 2009. After graduating in 2010 I moved to Peterborough and began practicing at Kawartha Community Midwives.
When I am not working as a midwife I enjoy gardening, cooking, and being a couch potato :)