The midwives attending births at Community Birth & Family Center are top in their profession. They work as a cohesive team to provide the best care possible and they rigorously pursue high standards through a quality assurance review. To receive credentials from the Center, a midwife must meet specific standards and requirements. Midwives must be practicing with a current license from Washington State and they must have completed an accredited midwifery program. Midwives are reviewed annually by the quality assurance team, composed of peers and other healthcare professionals.

There are currently eight diverse midwifery practices to choose from at the Center. Selecting a midwife is a personal choice and it is appropriate for you to meet with more than one midwife before choosing your caregiver. At Community Birth & Family Center, we encourage you to ask questions and take time to get to know your midwife. Start by reading the following bios, listed alphabetically by midwifery practice. To schedule a consultation with a midwife, please contact each practice directly (contact information is given below). If you'd like to discuss midwifery care in more detail, please call (206) 720-0511 or

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Expecting the Best Midwifery

Tracy and Michelle value birth as an experience that includes the whole family. They are temporarily located at 2517 Eastlake Avenue E, Suite 102. Please call (206) 325-0527 to schedule a consultation.

Tracy Cooper LM

Calm and confident, Tracy inspires women to believe in their ability to birth. Twelve years of work as a midwife, doula, educator, counselor, and women’s health researcher have given her the tools to respect the diverse ideals of women while providing excellent care. She is dedicated to ensuring the availability of midwifery care to all women and serves on the board of directors of Washington State’s midwifery professional organization as well as teaches at Seattle Midwifery School. She and her husband Matt have a young daughter, Ruby, who was born at home. She loves good books, good food, and being with her family.

Michelle Sarju LM

A mother of three, Michelle believes there is nothing more powerful than family. She pursued midwifery training a decade ago after giving birth to her second child. Michelle is the first African-American Licensed Midwife in Washington State and is deeply committed to seeing that women of all races and ethnic backgrounds have access to midwifery care. Michelle’s training includes an internship in St. Lucia, West Indies. She is also a breastfeeding educator. Prior to midwifery, Michelle led a wholly different life climbing the corporate ladder. Today, she says nothing can compare to being a wife, mother and midwife. Michelle and her family are deeply committed to their faith and spending time with each other.

Cynthia Brown

Visit Cindie's website for more information on her practice: www.midwifeseattle.com or call her directly at (206) 784-2422 to schedule a consult.

Cynthia Brown CNM

Cynthia (Cindie) Brown discovered midwifery in 1984 when she first witnessed a calm, natural childbirth at home. The baby was over 12 pounds! Her interest in the medical realm then fused with her longing to promote healthy families, and she immediately knew midwifery was her calling. With this focus, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Washington in 1991, then her Master of Nursing from Oregon Health Sciences University in 1994. She also holds a degree in Systematic Linguistics.
With experience gained from working in hospital-based midwifery practices, Cindie started her solo practice in 2001. She is particularly interested in the use of nutrition and complementary medicine to lower health risks. In addition to attending births at the birth center, Cindie has hospital privileges at Group Health Cooperative in Seattle.
Cindie is married to Steve, a high-school Spanish teacher and "renaissance man". They have three children, one of whom has special needs. All were birthed at home.

Rainy City Midwifery

Visit Beth's website for more information on her practice: www.rainycitymidwiferyandacupuncture.com or call her directly at (206) 861-8300 to schedule a consult.

Beth Coyote LM

With a life-long interest in the well being of mothers, babies and families, Beth believes that a healthy pregnancy, a powerful birth experience and the initiation of bonding and early breastfeeding can all contribute to strong and loving family ties. As a midwife, she feels that her role is to be "with woman" as a guide and counselor through one of life's most dynamic passages.
Beth began studying midwifery in the mid-seventies. She has apprenticed to foreign-trained midwives in upstate New York and to Elizabeth Davis, author of Heart and Hands, in San Francisco before moving to Seattle in 1981. She then attended Seattle Midwifery School, graduating in 1986. Besides being a midwife, Beth is also an educator, teaching courses at Seattle Midwifery School and Bastyr University. In 1994 she received the Midwife of the Year Award from the Midwives' Association of Washington State (MAWS).
Beth's second child was home-born in 1975 and two years ago, she delivered her first grandchild, Milo, in his California home. Beth feels that her dream of 'a midwife for every mother' is within reach.

Sally Avenson

Sally is located in the University District. You can call her directly for a consult: (206) 527-8773.

Sally Avenson CNM, ARNP

As the mother of three teenagers, Sally knows the ins and outs of parenting. As a certified nurse midwife, she also knows all aspects of childbirth and maternity care. Sally received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Washington where she spent seven years as an obstetrical nurse. It was after her first experience working with a midwife that she knew she had found her true calling. She then attended St. Louis University to complete a master’s degree in nurse midwifery. Sally has now been in private practice for more than 21 years as a certified nurse midwife, attending births in homes, hospitals, and birth centers. On a personal note, Sally is proud to be a breast cancer survivor, acknowledging the strength and courage that accompanies such a challenge. She has a full life with her husband Dan and their kids, Amelia, Evan, and Quinlan, who were all born at home, and their family hobby raising guide dogs.

Seattle Home Maternity Service

As co-founders of Seattle Midwifery School, Suzy and Marge have had their hearts and hands in midwifery practice for nearly thirty years. They continue to pledge their passion for midwifery and maternal health by being active in many organizations that assist in the progression of midwifery in Washington State.

Visit SHMS on the web at www.seattlehomematernity.com or call them directly at (206) 722-3426 to schedule a consult.

Marge Mansfield LM, CPM

Marge brings many diverse experiences to her midwifery practice. She worked as Academic Director of Seattle Midwifery School for its first ten years and as core faculty for 20. She has served on a number of midwifery committees statewide and a national committee to develop a standardized certification exam, as well as assisted with efforts in both British Columbia and Alberta to legalize midwifery in Canada. Marge’s personal interest in international issues has led to extensive traveling throughout many parts of the world. She balances her midwifery practice life with her sense of adventure as a licensed pilot, and a hiker/climber/backcountry skiier, with a Wilderness EMT background.

Suzy Myers LM, CPM, MPH

Suzy effortlessly combines confidence and compassion in her midwifery practice and in all aspects of her life. Her enthusiasm and understanding of childbirth and public health have involved her in many roles vital to the progression of midwifery nationwide. Suzy’s midwifery expertise is enhanced by a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Washington’s Maternal Child and Health Program. She is core faculty at Seattle Midwifery School and a member of their board. Suzy also currently serves as president of Community Birth & Family Center. Suzy’s passion for midwifery is shared by her love for her family and friends. She and her husband Jody have two grown daughters. Suzy also makes time for running and kayaking.

Heather Chorley PA, LM

Heather believes the hardest and best thing she has ever done is give birth to her daughter. As a midwife and a mother, she intimately understands the impact pregnancy and birth have on a woman and her family. Heather graduated from the Bowman Gray School of Medicine Physician Assistant program and practiced as a PA in North Carolina and in Washington for 10 years before graduating from Seattle Midwifery School. The practical skills gained from her clinical experience enhance her ability to offer clients superior care. Heather and her husband Fred consider their daughter Isla to be the light of their lives. They currently spend most of their free time turning their Seattle residence into a comfortable home.

Seattle Natural Family Medicine

Visit Tracy's website for more information on her practice: www.snfm.net or call her directly at (206) 729-1175 to schedule a consult.

Tracy McDaniel ND, LM

Tracy ’s naturopathic family practice is located in the Maple Leaf neighborhood of north Seattle and offers a comprehensive approach to the childbearing year and beyond, offering pregnancy and pediatric care as well as general naturopathic medicine. Tracy attends births at home and in birth centers, and offer a doula package for families planning hospital births. Tracy strives to practice both naturopathic family practice and midwifery in a way that is honest, caring and direct. Having given birth to her son at home, Tracy sees labor as more of an athletic event than a medical one. She believes a solid relationship between a family and its birth team is fundamental to creating an environment in which a woman can come to her labor and a couple can come into parenthood, feeling joyful and strong.
Tracy graduated from Bastyr University as a doctor of naturopathic medicine with additional certification in naturopathic midwifery. Tracy has completed advanced training in breastfeeding support through Evergreen Hospital’s Lactation program. She is passionate about protecting rights to make educated decisions regarding families’ healthcare and currently sits on the board of directors of both the Midwives Association of Washington State and the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Tracy lives in Seattle with her husband Nick and their son Charlie. She enjoys road trips, hiking, gardening and reading.

Emerald City Naturopathic

Loren's practice is located in Ballard. Visit her website for more information: www.emeraldcityclinic.com or call her directly at (206) 781-2206 to schedule a consult.

Loren Riccio ND,LM,CPM

Women are given the gift of being able to create life. A wise woman once said “women know how to have babies and babies know how to be born”. Women’s bodies are capable of creating and delivering a baby with little or no intervention during an uncomplicated birth. Midwives are the witnesses to the birth, allowing it to proceed naturally while monitoring for any unforeseen problems.
Realizing the importance of how we enter this world and her desire to help make it a safe and sacred experience, Loren believes in spending quality time sharing her knowledge and helping to empower families. The experiences surrounding pregnancy and childbirth are very intimate. Women and their families should be empowered through the transformative ritual of birth. Having a baby may be the most creative thing you’ll ever do. As a midwife, Loren serves as a protector and guide along your journey.
Loren has played many roles in various birthing communities. She volunteered as a doula in King County for several years supporting families in need. She assisted in providing prenatal and well-woman care in free clinics in rural India where some women had walked for days to reach the clinics. She traveled to New Zealand to meet with midwives in a country where the majority of births are supported through midwifery care. She spent time delivering babies in the island country of Vanuatu where she learned to speak a little pidgeon english in order to communicate with women during their labors.
Loren’s interest in becoming both a naturopath and midwife is to provide continuity of care for women and their families, care that begins preconceptionally and continues beyond pregnancy and throughout life’s transitions for mother, baby, and family.
Loren graduated from Bastyr University as a doctor of naturopathic medicine with a certificate in naturopathic midwifery. She is an adjunct faculty at Bastyr University where she has taught Pediatrics and guest lectured in midwifery classes. Loren practices naturopathic family medicine in north Seattle where she offers home and birth center births, along with care for the entire family.

Community Birth & Family Center Annex
2517 Eastlake Avenue East, Suite 102, Seattle, Washington 98102
phone (206) 720-0511

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