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Gracewinds Staff Bios

Gracewinds Perinatal Services is composed of a diverse group of experienced professionals who share a passion for the field of childbirth and all that it encompasses.

All of our staff members are licensed in their individual fields as well as cross-trained and certified in other specialties. Members attend continuing education workshops and special seminars in order to remain current on new trends, procedures and modalities.

Gracewinds offers a variety of talent and personalities to insure that moms can select a qualified individual that will meet her needs. We offer initial “meet and greet” doula appointments for no fee.

Provided below is a complete list of our professionals categorized by specialty. Feel free to click "view bio" to read a detailed bio for most staff members.

Owner & Director

Lactation Consultants

Educators

Doulas

Massage Practitioners

Yoga and Fitness Instructors

Workshop Leaders

  • Jasen Biro view bio »
  • Chris Beer

    • Christine C. Wallace, CMA, LMP, CCCE, CLD

    President & CEO, Gracewinds
    Founder & President, Gracewinds Global Breast Milk Initiative

    Christine Wallace founded Gracewinds Perinatal Services, Inc. in the fall of 2002. Her vision was to create a community of support for women and families in the greater Seattle area. Christine believes that women should be able to find high quality, birth- related services in one convenient location. Her passion and commitment to family support derives from having five children of her own and one grandchild, born in June. In the spring of 2006, Christine was the recipient of Homestreet Bank's "Great Business, Great Neighbor Award" and later that same year, received the Seattle "Mayor's Small Business Award", in March of 2007, she won the SBA Washington State and Western US "Women in Business Champion Award", and most recently, has accepted the NAWBO/ Wells Fargo "Trailblazer in Business" award in Atlanta, GA. Christine's background is as a certified Medical assistant, certified labor Doula, a licensed massage practitioner and certified childbirth educator. Her book "The Pocket Doula" sells internationally. Christine recently founded Gracewinds Global Breast Milk Initiative, a non-profit organization designed to promote breastfeeding and implement milk banks in sub-Saharan Africa. The prototype clinic has been implemented in Muhuru Bay, Nyanza Province, Kenya, 2007.

    Christine lives in north Ballard, with her husband, children and two high energy dogs.

    Visit her blog site

    Merilee Brigham, RN, BSN, IBCLC, RLC

    Merilee Brigham is a Registered Nurse and native of Seattle. She received her BSN from Seattle University. As a lactation consultant, Merilee received her IBCLC designation in 1991. She has worked with breastfeeding families for over 21 years in hospital, clinic and home settings. Merilee serves as the Clinic Coordinator for Gracewinds Perinatal Services Inc. Lactation Clinic in Seattle. She is a volunteer educator for Seattle Midwifery School and creator of "Free Expressions", a hands-free pumping device. Merilee and her husband live in the Greenlake neighborhood of Seattle. They have two sons who were both breastfed.

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    Marie Witherell, RN, BSN, ICCE, IBCLC

    Marie Witherell is an RN who has worked with childbearing families for over 30 years in a variety of settings. She received her BSN from ICNE at Easter Washington University and has been a childbirth educator (ICCE), for over 20 years and a lactation consultant (IBCLC) for over 12 years. Marie is from Spokane, and has worked in hospital and clinic settings as well in a free standing birth center with midwives. She began an alternative elementary school program and developed parenting classes in Spokane. Marie is currently an educator for professionals who are working to become Lactation Consultants. Additionally, she serves on the board of directors for Gracewinds global Breat Milk Initiative. Marie and her husband have raised a combined family of eight and already have 10 grandchildren with 2 more coming soon. Marie also works at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center, and is a member of the International Lactation Consultant Association and the International Childbirth Education Association.

    Madeline Smith, RN, BSN, IBCLC

    Madeline has been a Lactation Consultant for over ten years, working at hospitals and in private practice. She joined Gracewinds team of lactation consltants over a year ago and thoroughly enjoys the clients that she interacts with in the clinic. Madeline enjoys consulting with all new families, especially the challenges that come with solving feeding problems. Madeline finds that all babies and families are unique and that makes this work a pleasure. She is a flexible practitioner who tries to tailor the lactation plan to each family's needs.

    Marty Gordon, RN, BSN, IBCLC

    Marty graduated from the University of Washington School of Nursing in 1976 receiving her BSN and became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in 1993. She has enjoyed working in the field of perinatal nursing, providing education and support around childbirth, breastfeeding and parenting for 27 years. Her previous experience working at Northwest Hospital’s Childbirth Center (1980-1990) and the past 18 years as a Public Health Nurse in Kitsap County, has complimented her work as a lactation consultant. Marty has recently moved back to Ballard where she grew up, and is very pleased to be a part of the Gracewinds team. “What a pleasure it is to join such a warm, supportive, group of professionals to continue helping breastfeeding families.” Marty enjoys spending time with family and friends (three sons, two daughter-in-law’s, a step son and a large extended family) skiing, boating and biking among other activities. She may be seen riding tandem, through Ballard, with her husband Charlie!

    Tama Leahy, M.A., B.S., CEAS

    Tama Leahy is a certified medical assistant who worked at local family practice clinics before she became a mother. She graduated with a B.S. in Zoology from Northern Arizona University. Tama is a CEAS certified childbirth educator, and enjoys teaching families during the exciting transition into parenthood. Tama enjoys hiking, biking, skiing, and ultimate Frisbee. She lives in Seattle with her husband, daughter and son, and two cats.

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    Laura Tiberio, MA

    Laura Tiberio is a certified medical assistant and has worked in a local family practice clinic for the last four years. She graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Washington. Laura serves as Gracewinds Education Coordinator. She is a CEAS certified childbirth educator, and is working towards her certificationa as a Labor Doula. Laura enjoys cooking, gardening, painting and belly dancing. She resides in North Seattle with her husband, two daughters and two cats.

    Kathy Wilson, CPD

    Kathy Wilson is a CAPPA certified postpartum doula. She strives to learn about new and updated information by continuing her education through classes and workshops, and by reading books and articles. Her 3 sons have provided a wealth of experience and knowledge. Because her husband is an identical twin and her brothers are fraternal twins, Kathy has an understanding of multiples. She lives in Edmonds with her husband, sons, and various pets. She likes to spend her free time doing crafts, gardening, or relaxing in the great outdoors.

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    Laura Sanderson, LMP, CPMT, CD, CCCE

    Laura is a Licensed Massage Practitioner (LMP) certified in pregnancy massage therapy and a Labor Support Doula. After working for several years as an accountant, Laura wanted a career more focused on helping others.

    She graduated from Seattle's Ashmead College and continued her pregnancy focus with Doula training from Seattle Midwifery School. Laura combines Swedish, Deep Tissue, Hot and Cold Stone Massage and specific treatment strokes with her pregnancy massage to provide the best relief for her clients.

    Laura's Doula goals are to assist the woman and her partner in preparing and carrying out their plans for birth. She also strives to provide emotional support, physical comfort, an objective viewpoint and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs to make good decisions during labor. Laura is also a certified CAPPA Childbirth Educator.

    Sarah Ruth Gomez, LMP

    Sarah Ruth is a Licensed Massage Practitioner (LMP). She received her professional training at the Brenneke School of Massage in Seattle. Upon graduation, Sarah started a private practice in massage where she continues to develop special relationships with her clientele, personalizing her touch to the unique needs of each individual. Sarah studied craniosacral work with the Milne Institute. She uses her deeply intuitive nature in both massage and craniosacral work to benefit her clients. Sarah Ruth enjoys urban hiking and spending time with her family.

    Terry MacInerney, LMP, CPMT

    Terry Mac is a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMP) and a Certified Pregnancy Massage Therapist (CPMT). She is a graduate of Brenneke School of Massage and is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association. Terry integrates a combination of modalities which includes Swedish, Myofascial, Craniosacral, and intuitive bodywork. Her sessions are specially tailored for each individual. She accepts most insurances plans at Gracewinds and also provides massage for 3 Seattle Hospice organizations. In her spare time Terry enjoys hiking, playing guitar, painting and writing.

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    Jasen S. Biro

    Jasen has been a representative of Edward Jones Investments since 1999, managing the local Greenlake branch at 7102 Woodlawn. He graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Corporate Finance and Speech Communications. Prior to working for Edward Jones he worked in the Accounting/Finance department at Redhook Brewery.

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    Darbi Macy, CLD, Labor Support Doula

    Darbi Macy is a CAPPA-certified labor Doula. She spent several years working for an obstetrician, where she was able to attend and support friends during their births. Darbi is passionate about helping women have the best and most satisfying birth experience possible, based on their individual needs and wishes. She attends births both in Seattle and the Eastside, and is planning to expand her knowledge by completing a CNA course in 2008. Darbi lives in Bellevue with her husband, dog and cat. She enjoys reading, writing and traveling, and when not attending births, she gives tours of Scotland and Ireland (her other favorite rainy places) for a Washington-based tour company.

    Christina Prskalo, Labor and Postpartum Doula

    Christina Prskalo received her labor support training with Penny Simkin at the Seattle midwifery school. She has a strong passion for mothering the mother and believes everyone should have the kind of birth they desire. She strives to be an advocate for the birthing mother and her partner. She provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support during labor, assistance with relaxation through breathing, massage, positions and visualization. She provides two prenatal visits, birth plan, and one postpartum visit with lactation support. Included will be a birth story with timeline and photos if requested.

    Christina Prskalo completed Postpartum training at the Seattle midwifery School in the fall of 2002 she holds an ongoing commitment to continued education in the field of maternal and infant care. She is experienced in multiple birth care and support. Newborn/infant development, How to recognize and overcome breast-feeding challenges, and sleep patterns. Her passion for working with new families was born after witnessing a friend go through a difficult time with postpartum depression. Since that time Christina has attended many workshops and lectures on postpartum mood disorders and feels that postpartum support and education are invaluable to the new family. Christina lives in Seattle and enjoys spending quality time with her wonderful husband and two amazing teenagers.

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    Amy Thomson, Postpartum Doula

    Amy Thomson is a postpartum and labor support doula. Her primary focus is postpartum care, where she has truly found her passion caring for new families after the birth of their babies. She feels that her main role as a doula is to contribute without interference, offer nurturing support, guidance, and information. She loves to normalize and troubleshoot areas of uncertainly for new parents, help families build confidence, and to learn to trust their parental instincts. She also enjoys supporting families with older babies navigate nighttime sleep issues and work towards sleeping through the night.

    Amy received her labor and postpartum training at Seattle Midwifery School. She has extensive experience working with singletons, preemies, multiples, special needs, and maternal PPMD. She lives in Seattle with her fiancé and her beautiful 11 year old daughter.

    Sue Bream, ACSM, ACE

    Sue Bream is a certified personal trainer since 1996, and recently, a certified Pilates Instructor. Sue works with a wide array of clients needs from general fitness and weight loss to specialized needs such as those of pregnant woman and new moms. A mother herself, Sue has experienced the many physical and also emotional changes that a woman goes through during and after a pregnancy. As a personal trainer and Pilates instructor, Sue knows the importance of exercising and building core strength during and after a pregnancy. Sue has worked at various facilities in Seattle, including Seattle Athletic Club where she designed and taught a pre-and post-natal exercise class. She currently works at a personal training studio in Ballard and a Pilates studio on Queen Anne as well as Gracewinds Perinatal. Sue’s belief is that fitness is a way of life and a choice that we make, as opposed to something that we feel obliged to do.

    Sylvia Chai

    Sylvia received her (RYS-200) teacher training from Atmanada Yoga in Manhattan, and from Adrienne Burke, a former director of the Jivamukti Yoga Teacher Training Program (RYS-500). She received her prenatal yoga training from Mia Borgatta (Director of Ma Yoga Programs), and has taught prenatal yoga at Centerpoint Yoga Studios, Yoga Mandali, and New York Yoga. Sylvia teaches in the vinyasa yoga style, where breathe is linked to movement and meditation. Her prenatal yoga classes consist of a slow vinyasa with focus on breath, meditative relaxation, strengthening, and restoration. Sylvia also enjoys hiking, snow-boarding, and creating pottery.

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    Irene Bondick, LMP, CPMT, CIIM

    Irene is a licensed massage practitioner (LMP). She has also received additional certifications as a Pregnancy Massage Therapist and as an Infant Massage Instructor. Irene believes in the distinct benefits of the healing power of touch and shares these benefits with women and infants through massage. Irene continues to focus on the unique emotional and physical transitions faced by women as they progress through their lives. In her free time Irene enjoys spending time with friends and exploring the out doors.

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    Jennifer Cea, LMP, CPMT

    Jennifer is a Licensed Massage Practitioner (LMP). She is a graduate of Seattle’s Cortiva Institute – Brenneke School of Massage and has advanced certification in prenatal and postpartum massage. Jennifer believes in the importance of massage to sustain a person’s physical and emotional well-being and is honored to share the healing power of massage with her clients. She specially tailors each session based on the needs of each client, combining Swedish, Myofascial and Lomilomi techniques. Jennifer has also completed training as a labor doula at Seattle Midwifery School and is currently working toward her certification with PALS Doulas. She speaks Spanish fluently and enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, practicing yoga, walking and going to the movies.

    Jeffery A. Carson

    Jeff began his career as an educator in 2004, when he was recruited to teach the Fathering course by his wife, Gracewinds founder, Christine Wallace. Since then, Jeff has been offering this popular class to partners at Gracewinds and at Northwest Hospital. The evaluations received from class participants rank this class as one of Gracewinds best. Jeffery offers sage labor and parenting advice from a father's point of view. (A rare commodity for men during the general framework of pregnancy and childbirth.)

    Jeff has been invited to speak at national childbirth education conferences on the topic of "Improving Partner Involvement in Childbirth and Early Childrearing", and has been tapped to develop a national training/certification standard for his program Foundations for Fatherhood. When not teaching, he is employed at the Seattle Center and runs a custom cabinetry business. Jeff currently lives in Seattle with his busy family, continuously honing his fathering and step-fathering skills.

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    Amy Baisden

    Amy Baisden is a Certified Nursing Assistant. She is currently completing her training to become a CAPPA certified childbirth educator. She has a BFA in Photography and Communication Arts and Design from Virginia Commonwealth University. Since the birth of her first child she has decided to return to school to become a nurse. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, home repairs and spending time with her husband, son, two dogs, and cat in the heart of Ballard.

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