I have been a nurse-midwife for 25 years with experience in both home and hospital birth, and a nurse-midwifery educator at a university in San Francisco for 15 years. I have extensively studied, taught and practiced the use of herbal medicine, holistic medicine and nutrition in support of women's health. I am in the process of becoming trained as a Functional Medicine provider. I love teaching midwifery and nurse practitioner students and I am on a mission to integrate a holistic and functional medicine perspective into the training of nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives. I've traveled extensively in the United States and some in Mexico, and provided midwifery care to Spanish-speaking populations for many years. I am deeply nourished by nature.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am also deeply nourished by human connection. I travel for conferences and pleasure and connecting with a local person is a delightful way to learn more deeply about a place, as well as about life and myself!

Interests

The cognitive neuroscience of learning, deepening my understanding of inequality, following and integrating into my practice the emerging understanding of optimal nutrition, stress management, physical activity and circadian rhythms for human health.
I have a mindfulness practice, am an avid day-hiker, and keep in shape with regular Yoga and Pilates classes.

• yoga
• pilates
• traveling
• hiking
• teaching
• medicine
• neuroscience
• nursing
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

Wideranging taste in music. Jamie Sieber, Jan Garabek, Jane Siberry, Todd Boston.
Recent reads: Eckhart Tolle, Missing Microbes by Blaser, Jared Diamond, The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Attended births in Navajo territories at Canyon de Chelly and studied herbal medicine with traditional Native American herbalists. Dug Yerba Mansa ( a powerful medicinal herb) in a desert swamp in Death Valley. Assisted in the birthing and raising of lambs.

Teach, Learn, Share

The latest science about nutrition, herbal medicine, childbearing, women's health, innovative learning methods.

What I Can Share with Hosts

See above

Countries I’ve Visited

Mexico

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States