Welcome to the September 2005 issue of our online newsletter.  We usually don't get a newsletter out every month, but this issue was prompted by the need to let you know about some personnel changes, including a change at the front desk and the appointment of an Executive Director. We also wanted to thank those who helped make the tag sale a success.

New Executive Director

We are excited to announce the appointment of Liz Chalmers as Executive Director for Puget Sound Midwives and Birth Center. For the past ten years, the midwives have been running the business side of the birth center while still providing quality care to their clients, but it has been very hard work. Having an Executive Director to focus on the business and administrative aspects allows the midwives to put more of their energy into what they really want to be doing: caring for clients.

Liz's name may be familiar to some of you, since she has been involved with the birth center for eight years, in a variety of capacities including client, student midwife, and volunteer. Here is some more information about Liz, in her own words:

"I was born in Europe and grew up in England, a country where birth is seen as a normal part of life and where most births are attended by midwives. I moved to Redmond in 1989 to work as a software engineer. I had my first two children at Group Health Eastside, attended by the great midwives who worked there. Out of hospital birth never crossed my mind at the time.

In 1997, pregnant with my third son, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Suddenly, the hospital felt like the last place I wanted to give birth. At 34 weeks, I switched to Puget Sound Birth Center and six weeks later, had a perfect, wonderful birth attended by LeeAnne Shelley. Two years later, my first daughter was born at home attended by Heike Doyle and Valerie Sasson.

Between these last two births, I had an epiphany: I want to be a midwife! In 2003, I apprenticed at Puget Sound Birth Center and had the privilege of attending 50 amazing births there. I loved every minute of, but midwifery is a hard profession for the midwife's family, so I'm taking a break to allow my children to grow up some more. Since then, I have stayed involved as a volunteer by managing the birth center finances and providing technical support as needed. 

Now, with my expanded role as Executive Director, I am able to connect my manager mind and my midwife heart and do my part to keep the option of safe and gentle birth available to those who
choose it."

If you would like to contact Liz, she can be reached by email at Liz@Birthcenter.com or by calling PSBC at (425) 823-1919
 

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Changes at the Front Desk

It is with mixed emotions that we announce a "changing of the guard" at the front desk.

Ardie has decided to retire, so she can spend more time tending her glorious garden and her family. In her 18 months with us, she brought her many years of administrative experience to bear in organizing and running the back office aspects of the birth center, whilst also being a friendly voice and face to everyone at the front desk. We wish her well.

We are delighted to introduce our new office manager: Grace Marquez will be joining us on Wednesday September 14th. If the name sounds familiar, it's because she spent 6 weeks as an intern with Ardie a few months ago. At the time, she impressed everyone with her intelligence, organizational skills, medical skills, and personality. We were all sad to see her go at the end of her internship, so we are delighted she's back with us so soon!

For those that don't know Grace yet, here's a quick introduction. Grace was born and raised in the Phillipines, moving to Marysville, WA when she was 11 years old. She recently completed her Medical Assisting training at Bryman college, graduating on the Dean's list. She's excited to be joining the Puget Sound Birth Center and hopes to have the privilege of attending a birth eventually. Grace lives with her Chihuahua, Ligaya (which means "happiness" in Tagalog--the language spoken in the Phillipines). She enjoys outdoor pursuits like snowboarding and swimming, and spending time with her 5 nephews and one niece, with another niece or nephew on the way! Grace is planning to work toward a full nursing degree over the next few years. Welcome, Grace.

Ardie's last day was Thursday, but if you would like to wish her well, feel free to email her at Ardie@Birthcenter.com. We will forward any emails on to her. And if you would like to say hi to Grace, you can email her at Grace@Birthcenter.com or stop by the birth center. By the way, we didn't get a photograph of her in time for this newsletter, but we will be updating the website with her photograph in the next week or so.

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A Tag Sale Thank You

The tag sale raised over $1000. We are planning to use that money to buy new bedding for a couple of the birth suites.

Particular thanks to Nadine and Jonathan McLane, who single handedly resurrected the idea of the tag sale and organized every detail of it. Without them and the rest of the Village Parents, it simply would not have happened!

Thanks to everyone who donated items. A particularly thanks to everyone who donated hats and receiving blankets--those items were set aside for use by us at the birth center.

Thanks to all the volunteers who organized and priced the donations, and helped out on the day.

And thanks to everyone who purchased items that day and/or made cash donations.

We appreciate all your hard work. Thank you!

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Volunteers Needed for the Picnic

Nadine has not rested on her laurels after the tag sale success. She is now organizing the details for the upcoming picnic (Saturday Sept 17th, Cottage Lake Park--see the website for more information). She would like some help with setup and cleanup on the day. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Nadine at nmaclane@wsipc.org

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Redmond Ridge Health Fair

PSMBC families, JOIN US!

Saturday, September 24th PSMBC will join other healthcare family education providers at the First Annual Redmond Ridge Health Fair.

The goal of this event, sponsored by the Redmond Ridge Owners Association, is to raise awareness of current health issues and provide education on a wide range of health topics for this uniquely diverse community to promote healthier lifestyles for all ages. 

The Health Fair starts Saturday, Sept. 24th at 10:00 am and runs until 4:00pm with display booths in the Redmond Ridge Community Center and seminars facilitated by healthcare providers through out the day.

Ali Toperosky, LM, CPM, will be speaking at 3pm. We would love to see PSMBC families at the event and encourage you to attend our seminar as the greatest testimony to the experience of PSMBC midwifery care is YOU with your belly or your baby.

In addition to the providers and vendors there will be raffles and door prizes.  The entrance to Redmond Ridge is located off Novelty Hill Road at Cedar Park Crescent NE.

We hope to see you there!

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