Birte Paschen

Born and raised in Germany, I always had a great interest for languages. While I was studying Spanish and English to become a teacher in Germany, I realized that my path was leading me into a different direction.

A friend introduced me to midwifery. After observing a few births I knew that this was my future. For a year I volunteered at a labour and delivery unit in Muenster, Germany, until I could secure a spot at a midwifery program in Berlin, where I graduated in 2001.

After my training I worked as an employed midwife in two large, high-­risk maternity wards in Berlin, with up to 3500 births a year.

In 2004 I followed my Canadian (now) husband to BC where I completed the PLEA registration process (bridging program for foreign trained midwives) and became registered in 2007. I spent almost a year in Duncan, working with the Cowichan Midwifery Group, in a shared midwifery model of care, which I really enjoyed.

In 2008 my husband and I moved to Revelstoke, and in 2009 I opened Revelstoke’s first midwifery clinic. As a solo practitioner my relationship with ‘my families’ has been very close and I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the babies grow up in the community. Almost every family has returned for their next pregnancy, which is the best compliment a midwife can ask for.

In 2016, my family and I moved to Vernon so I could once again work in a shared care arrangement. I feel extremely blessed to have found a fantastic partner in Meghan, and I love our work environment, both in our clinic and at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.

To balance out my midwife life, I play saxophone and love canoeing and skiing with my family.

I am also a volunteer with ‘the Safe Motherhood Project’, a small group of healthcare providers that goes to Guatemala annually to train traditional birth attendants in risk assessment and emergency skills in rural Guatemala (please visit www.safemotherhoodproject.org if you’re interested to find out more.

Meghan Price

Being raised in the Thompson-Okanagan, my early life was characterized by barefoot-summers, close-knit community, and a curiosity for the world beyond my doorstep.  That curiosity led me away from Vernon to study International Relations at the University of British Columbia (UBC).  During my time at UBC, I attended a conference on Maternal Health. At that conference I discovered my passion for working with birthing women and their families, and decided to embark on the journey to become a midwife.  

Along my road to to becoming a midwife, I worked at the Museum of Anthropology as a Social Media assistant.  I enjoyed working alongside First Nations artists, and developed a love for assisting individuals to tell their story through the art of photography and video. I trained as a DONA International Birth Doula, and provided doula care to pregnant women facing addiction through the Fir Square program at BC Women’s Hospital.  These experiences reinforced my determination to become a care provider who supports women in their choices, and to birth with dignity and respect.

Throughout my training at UBC Midwifery Education Program in the Faculty of Medicine, I was mentored by fantastic solo midwives in Vernon and North Vancouver, and a large group practice in Vancouver. I also received interprofessional training from Perinatologists, Obstetricians, and Nurses across the province.  This diverse training has allowed me to develop relationships with my local colleagues, and developed my skill in being a part of a healthcare team.

I view working with birthing women as an incredible honour and privilege that continues to amaze me, and perpetually fills me with wonder.  Having laid my roots back in my hometown of Vernon,  I enjoy getting outdoors exploring the okanagan, snuggling with my two cats, or spinning and knitting yarn into cozy creations.