Meet The Team

Mahnaz Najafian, RM

Registered Midwife
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Mahnaz started exploring midwifery at a young age and knew it was the path for her after hearing the stories of women and birth from her Grandmother, a midwife. In her home country of Iran, she completed a Bachelor of Science in Midwifery degree from Shiraz University in 1989 and practiced for six years before immigrating to Canada.  During this time, Mahnaz was awarded the role of supervisor and managed the daily tasks of a hospital’s labour and delivery unit including 7 midwives.  She became licensed to practice in Ontario in 2007 and worked with the rural practice in Leamington, Midwifery Collective of Essex County.  Given her experience, Mahnaz was a natural fit for Midwives of East Erie which she joined in January 2010.  She is able to offer care in English and Persian, and feels a special bond to other immigrant women who are facing the challenges of living in a new culture.

Monica McPherson, RM 

Registered Midwife
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Monica graduated, with honours, from the Bachelor of Health Sciences in Midwifery at McMaster University in 2017. She has strong Acadian roots, born and raised in Saint John, NB. Midwifery seems to be in her DNA, as her great grandmother was a midwife in the north shore of NB. Monica's passion for women’s issues led her to the field of social services, where she spent many years advocating for women and families. After having children, she went back to school, at which time she developed a deep appreciation for science. Her passion for women's issues and science collided and the calling to Midwifery was birthed. Monica has a special interest in healing herbs and in her off time, you can find her spending time with her 5 children, reading, and playing pickleball. She feels privileged to serve the families in Haldimand/Norfolk, the place she has called home for over 30 years and where she continues to reside with her family. 
Terri Lynn Blizman, RM 
​Registered Midwife

Terri Lynn (Jelsma) Blizman is honoured to return home to practice midwifery in the community she was born and raised in after completing the Midwifery Education Program at McMaster University (2020). She previously received her Honours Bachelor of Science in biology at Queen’s University in 2005. She has worked as a veterinary assistant, surgical attendant and office manager in Toronto, but felt the pull to move home to Norfolk. After having her two children and working as a second attendant at births, she decided to pursue a career change. The experience instilled a passion for supporting and educating the families of her community about their pregnancy and birth options. 

Carly Ing, RM

Registered Midwife
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Carly Ing (they/she) is delighted to be part of the Midwives of East Erie team! Carly completed the Midwifery Education Program at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) in 2022. After graduation, they worked as a midwife in their hometown of Brampton and Halton Hills. Prior to midwifery, Carly complete a Bachelor of Medical Science at Western University, and worked at a community hospice in a children's grief counselling program. They became interested in midwifery because of its dedication to family-centred care, informed choice, and reproductive justice. Carly is honoured to support clients as they transform throughout their pregnancy, birth and postpartum period. When not practicing midwifery, you can find them hunting for antique treasures, exploring local trails, and tackling new craft projects. Carly is looking forward to meeting you and getting to know Haldimand/Norfolk County!

Dale Whyte

Administrator
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Dale is a valued member of our team. She is a mom of three boys, two daughter-in-laws, and a nana to four. After having retired from teaching secondary school math in June 2018, she joined our team. "It's been a joy to work with these amazing midwives and getting to know a bit about each new client. The babies are a bonus of the job and a reminder of the important work that we all do." Dale recently moved from Cayuga back to her home town of Grassie where she has built a new home with lots of work to be done on her days off. 

Ann Smith

Administrator

Ann is a mother of three - 2 sons and 1 daughter and lives in Cayuga. In June 2023, she retired from Cayuga High School where she taught for 31 years, most recently as the Head of Guidance. In her spare time, she enjoys biking, reading, and gardening. Ann feels very welcomed by both the staff and clients at Midwives of East Erie. She has much respect for the expertise, dedication, and care that the midwives and administration demonstrates with their clients. The highlight of the job is seeing parents returning to the clinic with their babies.

Holly Todd

Administrator
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Holly first joined the team in 2022 before leaving to finish her degree in psychology. She has recently returned and is very excited to be back! Holly is passionate about social justice, mental health, arts and culture. She is delighted to meet all the mothers, families, and new babies that come into the clinic and is honoured to work alongside such incredible women. ​

Michelle Bertrand

Second Attendant
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Michelle attended her first birth at the age of 15 and has been fascinated with pregnancy and labour since. Growing up in Fairbanks, Alaska, she often shadowed her best friend’s mother, a traditional midwife, and experienced first-hand how beautifully calm and empowering birth could be. She became a certified Doula in 2004, maintained her Health Care Provider CPR and completed the Neonatal Resuscitation Program through McMaster University. Most recently, Michelle has graduated from Mohawk College, with a Practical Registered Nurse degree and currently works at a local physician's office.  At home, Michelle is the proud mother of 4 amazing children and wife to her wonderful husband. 

Chantal Gowing

Second Attendant
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Chantal is a mother of four children, three of which were delivered by the Midwives of East Erie from the comfort of home. Through the journey of becoming a mother, she realized her passion for the entire birth experience. Chantal decided to become a labour doula and has been practicing since 2015. She was hired as a second attendant with the Midwives of East Erie and is extremely excited to be a part of this wonderful team.

Rena Leyland

Second Attendant
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Rena was born, raised, lives and works in Haldimand County. She has been married to her husband, Jeff, for 34 years. Her nursing career started in a neonatal unit with the hope of one day becoming a labour and delivery nurse. Rena was privileged to be a stay at home Mom to her 4 beautiful kids for 13 years before getting back into nursing. Wanting to be close to home (and her kids!) she gave up her dream of becoming a labour and delivery nurse, instead getting a job at a local hospital in the Emergency Room where she has worked for 20 years. Rena's greatest joy still is being a mom and now Granny to 14 precious little grandkids. The love of being a mom was passed on to her from her own beloved Mom who was a doula and loved “mothering the mother.” As her nursing career is winding down, she is honoured to participate in the miracle of birth with Midwives of East Erie, using skills honed over many years as both a nurse and a mother.

Jody Sero

Second Attendant
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​Jody is a nurse working in labour and delivery.  She lives in Norfolk with her husband and four children.  When she is not working, she enjoys sewing, reading, and gardening although she can never seem to keep up with all the weeds. She has a high respect for the midwifery profession as she had midwives for her pregnancies and loved the extra care and attention that midwives give their clients.  She is very glad to be able to be part of this team and assist other women in their childbirth journeys.