Meet The Midwives

Buffy Fulton-Breathat

BScN, BHScM, MMedSci, RN, RM

A partner and senior midwife with Sudbury Community Midwives, Buffy came to midwifery through a nursing background, and worked on the James Bay Coast after receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Laurentian University.

In 1996 she graduated summa cum laude in the first class of the Ontario Midwifery Education Program, and was awarded an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences (Midwifery). She graduated cum laud with a Masters degree in Medical Science (Maternity Care) with the University of Sheffield in 2012. In her midwifery work, Buffy is especially passionate about breastfeeding and pregnancy/ birth being viewed as a normal part of life’s experiences.

Buffy served on the board of the Association of Ontario Midwives from 1998-2000, and was the Head of the HSN Service of Midwifery for 9 years. She is registered with the College of Midwives of Ontario, and the College of Nurses of Ontario. She maintains membership with the Association of Ontario Midwives, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, and the American College of Obstetricians.

Buffy has had a career-long commitment to student education; in 2016 she accepted a full-time faculty position a Laurentian University, and has commenced her doctoral (PhD) degree.  She continues to practice midwifery part-time, teaches at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and is a clinical preceptor for undergraduate  students.

When not working, Buffy enjoys playing softball, travelling, and snowmobiling with her husband and son.

Debbie Younger

BHScM, RM

Debbie has been a practice partner and full time midwife with the Sudbury Community Midwives since June 1998. She has a strong commitment and passion to help support and educate women and their families throughout their pregnancy and birthing experiences. Debbie enjoys precepting midwifery and medical students and she participates on the Patient Care Team for the Labour and Delivery Unit at the Sudbury Regional Hospital.

Debbie also has a Diploma in Nursing from Cambrian College, and she worked as a Registered Nurse prior to entering the Midwifery Education Program at Laurentian University in 1994.  When not working, Debbie enjoys camping, scuba diving, and traveling with her husband and two children.

Meredith Crowder

BSc, BHScM, RM

Both a practice partner and senior midwife, Meredith has been a registered midwife with Sudbury Community Midwives since 1999.  A graduate from the Midwifery Education Program at McMaster University, Meredith completed her practical training in North Bay, Sault Ste Marie, London, Guelph, Kitchener and Sudbury. Prior to midwifery, Meredith completed a four-year Bachelor of Biological Science degree at the University of Guelph. It was in the barns at Guelph University working on a foaling/lambing research project that she fell in love with birth, maternal instincts and care of the newborn.  Meredith participates actively in hospital committee work, advocating for midwives and their clients through policy development.  She is currently serving her third term as Head Midwife at Health Sciences North (HSN).   Meredith is passionate about non interventive birth and loves helping moms with breastfeeding.  In her spare time Meredith enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.  They love camping, kayaking, hiking and biking.  You will often find her around the pool, hockey rink or horse riding arena watching her kids, and when time permits she is also an instructor in fetal health surveillance and emergency skills training for health professionals.

 

Lynne Sullivan

BHScM, RM

Lynne graduated from the Laurentian Midwifery Education Programme in 2003. She has had the opportunity to work in several different communities throughout her midwifery placements, including Sault Ste-Marie, Sudbury, Ottawa, and Carleton Place.  Following her graduation, she completed her New Registrant’s year with the Ottawa Valley Midwives.

Lynne joined the Sudbury Community Midwives in 2005. In the fall of 2010, she was elected Head of Service of Midwifery at Health Sciences North, where she served a three year term. She has also had the opportunity to be part of the breastfeeding committee at the hospital. Lynne is committed to the growth of midwifery in Ontario and regularly acts as a preceptor for students at the Midwifery Education Program.

As a Sudbury area native, Lynne feels fortunate to be able to work and also raise her children here in Sudbury.

Shelley-Ann Clarke-Dolby

BHScM, RM

Shelley graduated from the Midwifery Education Program at Laurentian University in 2005. Her training included placements in Sudbury, Manitoulin Island and Sault Ste. Marie.  She has had the opportunity to work in British Columbia and Ontario.  Northern Ontario is home and she returned to Sudbury in 2009 and has been happy to be working with families here since.

Shelley’s passion for midwifery stems from wanting to empower women and give them choice throughout their pregnancies and births that works best for them and their family.

She is a sessional instructor in the midwifery education program at Laurentian and enjoys precepting students in their clinical placements. In her spare time she enjoys being outside and travelling with her husband and two children.

Sara Vildis

BHScM, RM

Sara was born and raised in Lively, Ontario. In 2006, Sara entered the Midwifery Education Program at Laurentian University in Sudbury. Throughout her training, she did placements in Sudbury, Barrie and Alliston. After graduating from the Midwifery Education Program in 2010, Sara worked as a midwife in Owen Sound for two years. While working in Owen Sound and surrounding areas, she had the opportunity to attend many homebirths, both in rural and in urban settings.

Sara moved back to Sudbury in 2012 and enjoys working with Sudbury Community Midwives and being back in her hometown. Sara’s passions in midwifery are water birth and breastfeeding. Sara also is a member of the Baby Friendly Initiative committees at both Health Sciences North and Sudbury and District Health Unit.

In her spare time Sara loves to run, cycle and do outdoor activities. In the warmer months Sara enjoys stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking, and in the Winter she enjoys snowshoeing with her dog and ice fishing adventures. When not outdoors, Sara enjoys sewing projects and DIY home projects.

Trina Desjardins

BHScM, RM

Born and raised in Lively, Trina has always called Sudbury home.  Prior to entering the midwifery program in 2007, she completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and History at the University of Guelph. Throughout her midwifery education she has completed placements in Belleville, Ottawa, Scarborough, and Sudbury. Trina moved to Hamilton for her New Registrant’s year and feels very fortunate to now be practicing in her home community.

Trina has a strong passion for women’s health and is continuously inspired by the strength, courage and power of her clients. She feels very grateful to be able to work within this profession and serve the women of Sudbury and the surrounding areas.  Trina also enjoys participating in clinic teaching at the Laurentian Midwifery Education Program.

In her spare time, Trina enjoys spending time with her partner, family and friends.  She loves traveling, cooking, and enjoying the outdoors with her dog, Tug..

 

Naomi Wolfe

RM, IBCLC

Naomi Wolfe is a Registered Aboriginal Midwife.  Her interest in Midwifery began with her own struggles as a new mother.  She quickly became passionate bout supporting mothers and families and providing culturally relevant care.  Naomi has been providing midwifery care in Sudbury since 2010.  In addition to the care provided to clients at Sudbury Community Midwives, she also provides midwifery services to Indigenous families at Shkagamik-Kwe Aboriginal Health Access Centre.

She is a strong advocate for restoring and reclaiming traditions around birth and new life.  She believes that each birth is a ceremony and feels very fortunate to share in that journey with families.

Naomi is a huge breastfeeding advocate and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.  She spent a good portion of her LC training at the Jack Newman Breastfeeding Clinic in Toronto.

When not providing midwifery care, Naomi can be often found in an arena, dance studio or boxing gym with one of her four children!  Her hobbies include traveling to powwows, sewing, running, camping and spending time outdoors.

Dana Cuddy

BHSCM, RM

Dana has been practicing Midwifery since graduating from Laurentian in 2012. She began her career in Oakville Ontario, where she worked within a large Midwifery practice for 2 years. As Sudbury is her hometown, she was eager to move back and continue providing midwifery care. It has been a pleasure of hers; getting to know the women and families she has worked with so far in this community.

Midwifery caught her interest when she was in middle school, as she was intrigued about pregnancy and birth. Dana knew she wanted to be involved with guiding women and their families through pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. Knowing she can be apart of empowering women to make decisions regarding their care is something she loves about Midwifery.

When not with your families, Dana is with hers! Spending time outdoors, baking, and keeping busy with her husband and two children.

Support Staff – Jenn

Working in the background at Sudbury Community Midwives, you may encounter our intrepid practice manager Jennifer.

Keatha Walsh

Keatha grew up in Sudbury, Ontario and is dedicated to supporting birthing people through the unique and transformative experience of pregnancy and birth. She entered the Midwifery Education Programme at Laurentian University in 2014 and throughout her training attended placements in Oshawa, Barrie, Sudbury and Bracebridge. Keatha has spent the last 3 years working with the Midwives of Muskoka, and feels very fortunate to now be providing care to women and their families in her home community. Keatha believes that women should be the primary decision makers in their care, and is grateful to have the opportunity to advocate for and support her clients.

Prior to studying midwifery, Keatha obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Honours at Laurentian University. It was during that time that her interest in women’s health and midwifery began. Interestingly, Keatha is named after the lay midwife that caught her great aunt at home in 1926.

In her spare time, Keatha enjoys knitting, fishing, gardening, and exploring the outdoors with her partner, Josh.

 

 

Jillian Ashick-Stinson

Jillian (she/her) graduated from the Midwifery Education Program at Laurentian University in 2021 with hope to stay in her home community of Sudbury, and that wish came true! Her training included midwifery placements in Bellville and Parry Sound, as well as working with NICU and Labour and Delivery nurses, obstetricians and a pelvic physiotherapist in Sudbury. She also completed her senior year placement at Sudbury Community Midwives where she solidified her passion for choice of birth and strong client connections throughout care.

Jillian’s desire to pursue midwifery arose from her mother’s overwhelmingly positive birth experience with Sudbury Community Midwives in 1995 with her younger sister, and making sure all birthing people have access to care that empowers them to make the right choices for themselves, their bodies and their families. Jillian is passionate about trauma informed care, gender affirming care and promoting choice of birthplace.

Before becoming a registered midwife, Jillian worked in non profit and social justice organizing. Outside of midwifery, Jillian is a pelvic teaching associate with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Aside from midwifery, Jillian loves being outdoors, baking, and trying to find the perfect iced latte.

 

Carly Germain

I took the scenic route to Midwifery, although I always knew I would be a healthcare provider in one form or another. Before becoming a midwife, I studied Biology at Trent University. After graduating, my priority became finding a career where I would be able to build relationships and invest myself into the care of others. I stumbled onto Midwifery and began Laurentian University’s Midwifery Education Program in 2017. With roots in northern Ontario, I feel passionate about ensuring prenatal care is accessible in the north. I’m eternally grateful to the team at Sudbury Community Midwives, our clients, and their families for the amazing opportunity that is catching babies and providing care during such an important period. When I’m not at work, I can usually be found enjoying the outdoors with my dog, knitting or drinking coffee.