Alma Midwives & Staff

Brooke Bina, CNM

She/her

Having grown up on a multi-generation farm in North Dakota and imbued with a pioneer sensibility and a respect for complexity, I see a pregnant person's unique reproductive processes as a strengthening of their life’s ecosystem: diversity fortifies life. Every pregnancy and birth is a journey never before taken. My role as a midwife is to be a partner in a journey which is full of possibilities for empowerment and to help ensure smooth transitions in a process which is defined by many profound changes.

I became a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) after doing fieldwork as a medical anthropologist with home birth midwives in Portland, examining the local interface between midwifery and biomedicine while writing “Professionalization, Authoritative Knowledge, and Conceptions of Midwifery and Medicine in the Contemporary United States” (Reed College, 2005). I hold a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), and have attended births in various settings, including home, hospital, and out-of-hospital birth center.

I am comfortable in diverse birth environments, working in out-of-hospital as well as in-hospital low-risk midwifery and high-risk obstetric environments. I celebrate both midwifery and biomedicine and the ways in which both modalities can offer empowering experiences for birthing people and their families while working to change the ways in which they may not. Having grounding in all types of healthcare allows me to offer a balanced and empowering journey through the reproductive life-span; a vigilant-yet-laidback partner with the honed skills necessary for well-reasoned intervention should pathology arise, ensuring smooth transitions along the continuum of balanced care.

Lauren Hake, CPM Assist

She/her

I’ve been mesmerized by birth since I was pregnant with my first son in 2012. I was the midwifery client who came to every prenatal armed with a full page of questions, and when my 36 week appointment rolled around and I asked “Why don’t other people think this is as important and fascinating as I do?” my midwives shared a Look and admitted that they thought I was going to be a midwife myself.

It was a big decision and it sure hasn’t been an easy road, but now I am! After two babies, becoming a peer breastfeeding counselor, two midwifery schools and one pandemic later, I am so proud to be a Certified Professional Midwife. Just as my own labors gave me no option but to look at my reflection and see just how capable I am, my journey as a birth worker has shown me a new side of my own tenacity and resilience.

Along with my self knowledge, my career in birth work is rooted in a belief that autonomy and individuality are essential in pregnancy care, and that the experience of receiving midwifery care has the potential to change how birthing folks and new little humans are wired. I really think it can change the world. I bring my skills to Alma, excited to help growing families get off on the right foot with nursing, rest and a good meal.

My life in the birthworld has gifted me with knowledge and skills in lactation support, plant medicine, and homeopathy. When not at Alma you might find me dabbling at home with my many critters, brewing kombucha or enthusiastically diving into another new homesteading hobby. While I have to admit I am a poor gardener, I do have a thriving flock of ducks that bring my household so much joy. My two active boys are in elementary school, and they definitely keep us busy. My family enjoys all kinds of board games as well as time in nature together, and I like to relax with solo crafts such as knitting or by reading by the fireplace.

Marisa Gilman, RN

She/her

I graduated with my Bachelor's in Biology from Portland State knowing that I wanted to work in healthcare, but without a clear path. I began working in reproductive healthcare as a medical scribe for The Oregon Clinic's OB/GYN and Midwifery group in 2014. It was there that my passion for birth first flourished, and I realized that I wanted to start my journey towards becoming a midwife. I obtained my Bachelor's of Nursing from Seattle University and I am currently enrolled in the Seattle University Doctor of Nursing Practice program to become a Certified Nurse Midwife. I have been attending births at Alma since 2022. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as a postpartum nurse with the Alma Midwifery family, and learn from Alma's incredibly skilled and compassionate midwives.

When I am not attending births or studying, I love spending time with my nieces and nephew, snuggling with my two cats, or finding joyful movement with dance, bicycling, and anything that will get me outdoors when the PNW weather allows!

Sylvie Orr, CPM Assist

She/her

I am so thankful to be living out my passion of supporting women and families through the transition of welcoming a new life into the world. I believe that the way growing families are supported through this life altering transition has huge impacts for not only that family, but society as a whole. I am deeply privileged to help growing families be armed with knowledge, and surrounded with support, to create a solid foundation to thrive.

After years of classroom training I began my hands on experience with clients as a midwifery apprentice in 2014. After graduating from Birthingway College of Midwifery and working in a variety of settings, I was invited to stay on at Alma, where I had done the last half of my apprenticeship. I have worked as a midwifery assistant and postpartum midwife primarily at Alma since then, also taking extended leaves to have my second and third children. Prior to this I began attending births as a doula in 2012, and have done postpartum work at Alma as well as with private clients. In addition to attending births, I have facilitated workshops to prepare new families for labor and parenting a new baby. I also do placenta encapsulation and occasionally belly casting. In my free time, I am an artist and am currently working on a series of people in my life with their children. I have three children, who were all delivered at home, and were extremely different but equally empowering and beautiful experiences. I am so grateful for the loving care I got from my midwives in my own experiences, and am committed to give the best care I am able to each family I am blessed to work with.

Jodi Stricker, Student Midwife

She/her

I have been a student midwife at Alma for a year and am getting close to the ‘primary under supervision’ phase of my apprenticeship. I am currently enrolled in the Direct Entry Midwifery program at Southwest Technical College based out of Fennimore, Wisconsin. Over the last year I have attended over 60 labor and births at Alma and am forever amazed at the miracle of pregnancy and childbirth. I truly believe that by fostering a positive and empowered pregnancy and birth, families will be stronger and better set up for a strong foundation for new life. By focusing on client-centered care, education, and consent, the process of bring new babies earthside can be healing and powerful. I feel extremely grateful for all the families that allow me into their lives and birth space for such a special moment. I learn more and more from every encounter. My goal is to become a Certified Professional Midwife and serve clients in the community with understanding, advocacy, tenderness, and laughter.

I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and before moving to Portland I had spent a few years supporting children on the autism spectrum by providing ABA behavioral therapy. During the pandemic, I had the opportunity to focus on another major passion of mine: pregnancy and childbirth. I took a doula training course in early 2021 and knew within the first day of class that I was meant to work in the birth world, but I yearned for a deeper understanding of how to support birthing people and babies.

I am currently living with my partner and our two dogs and on our free time we love to explore the beautiful Pacific Northwest: from the mountains to the ocean to the high deserts. Some of my hobbies include all things creative; mainly painting, sewing, and crocheting, but I am also always starting new projects and learning new crafts. Music is also a passion of mine, so it would not be uncommon to find me in a music venue on my nights off.

I cannot wait to continue my education and learn from all of the skilled midwives at Alma, if you see me in the clinic don’t be afraid to say hi!

Bonnie Eyre, Receptionist, Student Midwife

She/her

I am a native Oregonian and a first year student with the Midwives College of Utah. I am currently pursuing my life dream of becoming a Midwife and feel fortunate for the opportunities here at Alma. I have lived many adventures already, to include honorably serving 7 years Active Duty as a Commissioned Officer in the United States Army, a former corporate Senior Recruiter with the Senior Living industry, and even worked at Harley Davidson for a few years. I also have volunteer experience and training as a trauma informed peer counselor. I am living a blessed life and loving the responsibilities as "the fun Aunt" to her amazing niece, nephews and all of the furbabies. In my free time I enjoy hitting the open road on my Harley, going on adventures with my dog Whisky, being in the woods, a backyard bonfire, crocheting, and a hot cup of English Breakfast tea. I believe life should come with a soundtrack; so I dance and hum to my own. I look forward to humming, dancing, and laughing with you through your next adventure in life!