Meet the Staff
Meet the Staff
Kolleen Kowalske is a University of Michigan School of Nursing student in her final year. She began working at the Center in the Summer of 2006 on an internship through the University of Michigan's Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) and plans to continue through spring 2007 as a work/study student. Kolleen is engaged in research related to the Doulas Care Program. Nelda Murphy serves as the new Doulas Care Social Work Consultant and Case Manager. She provides consultation to the Volunteer Coordinator and the volunteer doulas to help support new families dealing with postpartum issues and other challenges. Nelda has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services and Education from the University of Wisconsin and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan. She has 15 years of experience working in the community, providing therapy, doing research, and finding resources to help families in need of supportive services. Nelda is also a mom of 8 years and a School Social Worker who is passionate about helping families during the childbearing year.
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Patty Brennan, founder and Executive Director of Center for the Childbearing Year, has been an advocate for childbearing families for 24 years as a childbirth educator, doula, and midwife. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College and has served on the faculties of both Washtenaw Community College and Schoolcraft College. Her work has been published in the Journal of Nurse Midwifery, Midwifery Today, The International Doula, and many other publications. Patty is a Certified Birth Doula and Postpartum Doula and approved trainer through DONA International, the largest and most prestigious Doula organization in the world.
Lisa Kane Low has been a nurse-midwife since 1986 working in a variety of roles including clinical practice, administration, and education. She received her BSN from the University of Michigan, an MS in midwifery from the University of Illinois, and a PhD in nursing focused on women's health and women's studies at the University of Michigan School of Nursing. Lisa has served as a program development specialist and grant writer for the Center's Doulas Care Program since December 2001. Currently she serves as Assosciate Director of the Center. Lisa also works at the University of Michigan as an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing and the Women's Studies Department. She conducts women's health courses and conducts research related to care practices during labor and birth. In addition, she is in clinical practice with the University of Michigan Nurse-Midwifery service. Her research interests and publications focus on support and care practices during labor, and adolescent pregnancy and childbearing.
Beth Barbeau has been a childbirth educator, doula, and homebirth midwife for over 20 years. She began teaching Childbirth Preparation classes at the Center for the Childbearing Year in 2002 and developed the curricula for our Breastfeeding Basics, Newborn & Infant Care, and Ensuring Breastfeeding Success classes. Beth is the mother of two young children and brings the compassion and insight of one who is "in the trenches" of motherhood to her teaching.
Maria Militzer joined the Doulas Care Program as the Latino Outreach Coordinator in June 2005. Born and raised in Mexico, she moved to the United States in 2000. She earned a bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine in her country and a master's degree in Spanish and International Trade at Eastern Michigan University. She currently works for the University of Michigan's Interpreter Services Program as a medical interpreter. During 2002-2003, she and her husband published a local newspaper named La Voz Latina ~ The Voice of Latinos in Washtenaw County. Printed in both English and Spanish, the paper had two goals: to help the undocumented Latino immigrant community adjust to life in Washtenaw County and to help familiarize non-Latinos with the Latino community and its culture, leading to greater understanding and acceptance. She is also the Co-Founder of Latinos Unidos, Inc., a non-profit organization, which along with staging the annual Festival Latino, is now organizing other events and initiatives to support local Latinos and build bridges between Latinos and other community members. 
Marylee Scherdt serves as the Volunteer Program Coordinator for the Doulas Care Program. Marylee is the caring voice on the phone assisting women who call to find a doula. She also serves as a mentor for the volunteers helping them to access resources and problem-solve any challenges they may be experiencing. Marylee has a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Michigan University. She has had the privilege of working with new families since 1999. During that time she has worked as a certified postpartum doula, served as a Doulas Care volunteer, volunteered as a facilitator for a Postpartum Depression support group, and is a former member of the Board of Directors at the Center. As the mother of three children, Marylee has been actively parenting for over 24 years. 
Kate Stroud is a labor and postpartum doula, childbirth educator, certified massage therapist, and mother of two children. She has been working with pregnant women and their families since 2000 and is a former member of the Board of Directors at the Center. Kate has a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Eastern Michigan University and enjoys making pregnant belly casts.
Kate Van Horn is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Michigan majoring in Social Sciences and Theater. She is a volunteer doula with the Doulas Care Program and has been providing administrative support at the Center as a work/study student since Summer of 2005.
Leseliey Welch, a former CCY board member and Doulas Care volunteer, now serves as the new Doulas Care Outreach and Education Coordinator. Leseliey received both her Bachelor of Arts in Women's Studies and her Masters in Public Health in Health Behavior and Health Education, with a concentration in Women's and Reproductive Health, from the University of Michigan. Along with a passion for working with moms and babies and the professionals who support them, Leseliey brings nearly ten years of local and international health education and outreach experience to Doulas Care. She is also a Lecturer and Research Area Specialist in Women's Studies at the University of Michigan, and proud new mom to Zoe Rose.