Caroline Cusenza, LM, CPM

caroline@montereybirthcenter.com

Caroline has called California's Central Coast home for the past 30 years. This is where she welcomed her daughter at home with local midwives in January of 2006, and in June of 2006, where she began her apprenticeship and clinical training, working with families all over Monterey county and military families from all over the world.

Caroline is a Licensed Midwife and Certified Professional Midwife. She is licensed by the Medical Board of California and certified by the North American Registry of Midwives. She graduated from the National Midwifery Institute in 2013 and received her clinical training during a seven year apprenticeship with her midwife and mentor. Caroline became a midwife because she wanted to help women have a safe and fulfilling birth. She is in awe of the human body and its capacity to heal and flourish when given what it needs.  

Heather Schwarz, LM, CPM

heather@montereybirthcenter.com

Heather's diverse education and experience in birth began with her birth doula certification at the Seattle Midwifery School (now Bastyr College) DONA program in 2000. Heather worked as a birth doula in the hospital for many years before experiencing her own home birth that opened her eyes to what a truly gentle and empowered birth could be.

Heather is a Licensed Midwife and Certified Professional Midwife. She graduated from the National Midwifery Institute and became a Certified Professional Midwife and California Licensed Midwife in 2013. Heather is a birth and postpartum doula trainer, childbirth educator, and has co-created a program designed to provide families, especially low income families with an option to receive collaborative informed midwifery care along side of their obstetric care. Heather specializes in healing birth trauma and teaching future birth workers! 

Jacqueline Little, LM, CPM

jacqueline@montereybirthcenter.com

Jacqueline graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Maryland with a Bachelors Degree in Women’s Studies, and as an Undergraduate was awarded a scholarship to conduct original research in women’s health. Within a few years, Jacqueline assisted in managing a busy birth center in Los Angeles, while teaching Childbirth Education classes.

Jacqueline is a Licensed Midwife and Certified Professional Midwife. She received her California Midwifery License and Certified Professional Midwifery license in 2012. She is particularly passionate about helping her clients naturally manage Gestational Diabetes, PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), and providing holistic well-woman and fertility care. Jacqueline is trained in the Fertility Awareness Method and assists couples in conceiving naturally and/or with IUI. Jacqueline is also trained in mindfulness meditation for childbirth.

KELLY Hawes, LM, CPM

kelly@montereybirthcenter.com

Kelly's passion for reproductive health and admiration of the physiologic process of birth inspired her to become a midwife. As a first step, in 2014, Kelly became a DONA-trained birth doula supporting families during their hospital births. In 2017, Kelly began her midwifery journey with the National Midwifery Institute, attending births at a birth center in Northern California as well as with local midwives in their home birth practices. Kelly believes in undisturbed birth and that every birthing person should feel supported and safe during their birth process. A Monterey local, Kelly is enjoying sharing the beauty of the Peninsula with her husband and their spirited, 2 year old son. Kelly finished her clinical training at MBWC and is now working as a staff midwife.

MELISSA NOTHNAGLE, MD, MSC

MEDICAL DIRECTOR

A native New Englander, Dr. Nothnagle attended Brown University and ventured west for medical school at UC San Francisco. She returned to Rhode Island for residency at Brown, where she then served as residency faculty for 8 years and program director for 6 years. Dr. Nothnagle earned a Master of Science in Health Professions Education and has published educational research on abortion training, procedural skills training, professional identity formation and self-directed learning. She has led national initiatives to promote full spectrum family medicine training as well as reproductive health education across primary care professions.