Kalia Leslie
Registered Midwife
Kalia Leslie has diverse experience working with women,
families, teens, babies and children during the childbearing
and developmental years.
I have been involved with midwifery and other aspects
of community and women's health care since 1974. I began
in a Holistic Health Center in Denver Colorado working in
a team approach with physicians, midwives, childbirth educators,
nurses, physiotherapists, massage therapists and herbalists.
As well as midwifery, I have studied many modalities of
nutrition, natural and self health, communication and conflict
resolution. Still, every birth is a new and refreshing experience
for me. I love midwifing.
Kalia has developed and taught independent programs and
has worked on the boards of the Midwives Association of
BC, Maternal Health Society, Boundary Women's Coalition.
She has preceptored students from the College of Midwives
of BC, Seattle Midwifery School, UBC and King Alfred's College
(England) and has worked as a clinical examiner. Since 1998
Kalia has integrated Midwifery as a new medical profession
into the Kelowna Hospital and Community.
In 1992, Kalia was nominated for a Woman of Achievement
Award for Career Development.
"Thank you
for the joyous birth experience and the photo with love
from me to all of you (4)."
"Again
thank your for your care, the balance of professionalism,
caring & respect for my wishes, that you gave so genuinely."
"The time you gave developing a relationship with us
became the basis for the strength & energy we felt …….
The care and advice you gave us especially after the birth
was reassuring & made us feel confident about our abilities
as parents."
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Barbara Purcell
Registered Midwife
Barbara Purcell has wide range of experience working with
women and their families as midwife, registered nurse, childbirth
educator and lactation consultant in Australia.
Initially I trained as a registered nurse in Launceston,
Tasmania and worked in a variety of areas prior to midwifery
training in 1985. Although initially seeing midwifery training
as a way of preparing to return to Canada to work ‘someday’,
I found that in reality midwifery was to become my passion.
Since that time I have been involved in Childbirth education,
women’s health, sexual health, lactation consultancy,
community nursing and remote area nursing on Flinders Island
(Tasmania), Alice Springs and Ltyentye Apurte( Northern
Territory). I completed my Graduate Diploma in Midwifery
in 1996 through the University of New England, NSW. Promoting
choice for place of birth, encouraging women to make informed
decisions about all aspects of their care by providing them
with current research has always been an important aspect
of my practice. Learning about and experiencing the extensive
range of ‘normality’ from attending women’s
labours and births remains exciting. It is an honour to
be invited to attend women during pregnancy and birth and
witnessing how the process can empower women and their families
as they begin and continue their family journey.
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Anne-Marie Cayer
Registered Midwife
I was first inspired by the magic of birth while traveling
in Central America, many years ago. Witnessing childbirth
alongside local midwives ignited my developing interest
in women's health and rites of passage. I have since worked
with many incredible midwives and childbearing families
who have generously shared with me the art and science of
midwifery.
I graduated from the Midwifery Program at the University
of British Columbia, a four-year Bachelors degree in the
Faculty of Medicine. My learning was fostered within the
province at sites in Vancouver, Victoria, and Kelowna. I
also trained at a waterbirth centre in Stony Plain, Alberta,
and at two public hospitals in Uganda, Africa. My training
has been rich in diverse practice settings, while supporting
various populations of women.
Before diving into the world of birth, I completed a degree
in Kinesiology from McMaster University in Ontario, with
a focus on women's studies and psychology. I have been a
long-time support worker for people with developmental challenges
and I have also performed as a dancer for many years, while
doing as much globetrotting as my bank account has permitted!
I am pleased to be back in Kelowna, welcoming our newest
wee community members!
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