Meet the Team

Midwives

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  • Dr. Elle is a dynamic strategist and change catalyst with over twenty years of leadership across the military and healthcare sectors. Rising to the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Army, she brings strategic prowess to her role as the owner of BirthCare & Women’s Health, a pioneering midwifery practice and freestanding birth center established in 1987.

    With an unwavering dedication to diversity, she founded Midwifery In Color, an organization championing inclusivity in her profession. Armed with a Doctor of Midwifery, a Master of Science in Midwifery, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Elle’s journey epitomizes an unyielding pursuit of excellence.

    Beyond accolades, Elle’s true passion lies in community empowerment. Serving on the boards of the American Midwifery Certification Board, the National CVS Health Equity Board, and the Virginia Perinatal Neonatal Collaborative, she isn’t simply involved in healthcare – she’s committed to uplifting and transforming lives. With a fervent dedication to healthcare excellence, Elle actively participates in professional and social organizations, endeavoring to empower communities at every turn.

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  • Martha began her career as a midwife after graduating from Georgetown University Midwifery School. In 1987, she became the first staff midwife employed by BirthCare. Over the years, she has worked with BirthCare in various capacities while raising her family of four children, taking time off from her professional career to home-school each of them through high school. Martha currently serves as a full-scope midwife, dedicated to ensuring the continued success of the practice under its excellent new leadership. She is deeply committed to BirthCare and the personalized, one-on-one care it provides to clients. Martha believes in the midwifery model of care, which is founded on the idea that women can achieve remarkable things when supported by education, understanding, compassion, and shared decision-making with knowledgeable and experienced care providers. Her work is also guided by her faith, which instills a sense of humility and reliance on God’s strength. She is always available to pray for clients while respecting each individual's personal and religious beliefs and practices.

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  • Dorothy became a nurse in 1979, and worked in Hematology/Oncology for a few years as a hospital nurse, where she found satisfaction in helping people make difficult decisions at the end of life. She then took some time off to do volunteer work with a midwife in the mountains of eastern Kentucky. This is where her idea of becoming a midwife came into focus. She saw that she could apply her nursing and midwifery experience to the beginning of the life spectrum, and work with women to help them understand the natural process of normal birth, and help to facilitate their birthing experience, and she has never looked back!

    Since attending midwifery school at Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing (now Frontier Nursing University) and receiving a dual certificate as a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) in 1987, Dorothy has worked in a variety of birth center, clinic, and hospital based practices, where she has assisted many women in all aspects of their prenatal, birthing, and gynecological life cycle. After joining Birthcare in 2015, Dorothy’s experience has expanded to include the joys of home births.

    Dorothy and her husband have 2 wonderful children and 2 wonderful grandchildren. She is happy for the experience of working at Birthcare with these wonderful midwives, and clients!

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  • Bio coming soon!

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  • Bio coming soon.

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  • Bio coming soon!

Close-up of an orange hibiscus flower with pink and red stamen, surrounded by green leaves.

  • Bio coming soon!

Close-up of an orange hibiscus flower with pink and red stamen, surrounded by green leaves.

  • Bio coming soon.

Close-up of an orange hibiscus flower with pink and red stamen, surrounded by green leaves.

  • Bio coming soon.

Birth Assistants

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  • Jamie Anderson is a highly experienced and dedicated professional with over 15 years of service supporting women and families in birth, breastfeeding, and end-of-life care. With over 3500 apprenticeship hours under the guidance of Traditional Midwives, MDs, NDs, CPMs, and CNMs Jamie has developed a deep understanding of childbirth,  midwifery care, and modern medical practice, ensuring families receive personalized, culturally sensitive care.

    In addition to Birth Assisting, Jamie is a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), providing comprehensive breastfeeding education, lactation consultation, and care planning to new mothers. Her expertise in breastfeeding ensures that mothers receive the support and guidance they need to establish and maintain a healthy breastfeeding relationship with their babies.

    Jamie is also a Certified Full Spectrum Doula, offering emotional and physical support to women and families through childbirth, loss, adoption and abortion.  Her compassionate care provides comfort and guidance during some of life's most challenging and transformative moments.

    As a Certified Childbirth Educator (CBE), she educates and prepares families for various birthing environments, including home births, hospital births, and birth center births. Jamie is passionate about empowering families with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the birthing process with confidence and peace.

    Beginning her journey as a Certified End of Life Doula, Jamie believes in bringing comfort and dignity to those at the end of life. Her overall approach to her practice reflects a deep commitment to supporting individuals and their families through every stage of life, from birth to death.

    With a profound respect for life’s sacred transitions, Jamie believes in being a guiding light for the families she serves, meeting them wherever they are emotionally, educationally and physically—in their communities, homes or hospitals—and offering holistic, compassionate care every step of the way.

Holistic Wellness & Mental Health

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  • Jessica Y. Fernandez, LCSW is a bilingual social work professional with over a decade of experience supporting youth, families, and immigrant communities through trauma-informed care. She holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Social Work from George Mason University and has served in diverse settings including schools, nonprofit organizations, and community health programs. Most recently, Jessica worked as a Regional Supervisor at Mary’s Center, leading home study and post-release services. Her career reflects a deep commitment to culturally responsive mental health care, crisis intervention, and family advocacy.

Administrative Staff

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Growth & Development

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  • Patience Hill is a marketing and engagement strategist with a strong background in community building, project management, and brand growth. As Growth Champion at BirthCare, she leverages over a decade of experience in strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and program development to elevate awareness, drive client engagement, and strengthen relationships across diverse communities.

    With a BBA in Marketing from Prairie View A&M University and prior experience as a Marketing Manager and Director of Community Engagement, Patience brings a client-first mindset and creative lens to her work. She has past experience crafting campaigns, developing resources, and planning events that amplify impact and visibility. She has enjoyed building online communities of practice, leading national initiatives in early childhood, and executing high-impact engagement strategies that drive measurable results.

    At her core, Patience is passionate about empowering women and families, and she continues to infuse that mission in her work here at BirthCare.

Community Engagement

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  • Alysia is a member of the Community Engagement Team for BirthCare & Women's Health. She is a Certified Nurse Midwife and Maternal Child Health Public Health Nurse.  Alysia also moonlights as a Labor & Delivery Nurse at a local hospital in the DC area.

Marketing & Social Media

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  • Kalen Villanueva is a Division I student-athlete and NASM Certified Personal Trainer with a B.S. in Economics of Sustainable Development and Management from the University of Connecticut. With a focus on business management and marketing, Kalen brings experience in strategic consulting, branding, and community engagement. He has supported mission-driven organizations like Midwifery in Color and West Green Farms through design and outreach. Currently pursuing his M.B.A. at Campbell University, Kalen is passionate about blending leadership, wellness, and business to create lasting impact.

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  • Anaiya Rubin is our Social Media Manager & Designer on the Marketing team. She holds a B.F.A in Graphic Design from Auburn University and is working towards her M.F.A in Motion Media Design from Savannah College of Art and Design. Anaiya has previously been an intern for Auburn University's College of Nursing and held Leadership roles on AIGA as well as her College's Student Council. Communication through design is an important piece to any puzzle and she implements this in all of her work.