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 has 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 love for Midwifery has been shaped throughout the years. Her passion for women’s issues has lead her to the field of social services where she spent many years advocating for women and families. Then 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. She has not looked back since and continues to be thankful and honored to be with women in the profession of Midwifery.
 
Monica is married and the proud mom of 5 children. She feels privileged to work alongside such talented Midwives at Midwives of East Erie. Together serving families in the community that she is raising her own family in, Haldimand/Norfolk County, and has called home for over 17 years.
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 three. 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 our 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 firsthand 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 physicians 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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Hi, my name is Chantal Gowing, I am 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, I realized my passion for the entire birth experience. I decided to become a labour doula and have been practicing since 2015.  I was hired as a second attendant with the Midwives of East Erie and I am extremely excited to be a part of this wonderful team.

Shauna Guthrie

Second Attendant
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I have been living in Simcoe for the past 15 years. I have been married to my best friend Nathan for the past 8 years and together we have 3 beautiful children! 

​I am a nurse at Norfolk General Hospital and became passionate about birth and women empowerment during my pregnancy. I am overwhelmed with the power and strength that comes from women during this transitional time in their lives and it encourages me to see women from all walks of life bring new life earth side! 

Rena

Second Attendant
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​How blessed I am to be able to live out a dream at this stage in my life!  My name is Rena.  I was born, raised, live and work in Haldimand County.  I have been married to my husband Jeff for 34 years.  My nursing career started in a neonatal unit with the hope of one day becoming a labour and delivery nurse.  I was privileged to be a stay at home Mom to our 4 beautiful kids for 13 years before getting back into nursing.  Wanting to be close to home (and the kids!) I gave up my dream of becoming a labour and delivery nurse, instead getting a job at a local hospital in the Emergency Room where I have worked for 20 years.  My 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 me from my own beloved Mom who was a doula and loved “mothering the mother”.  As my nursing career is winding down I am honoured to participate in the miracle of birth with the Midwives of East Erie, using skills honed over many years as both a nurse and a mother.