Who We Are
Midwives
Mairi Breen Rothman, CNM, DM, FACNM
Midwife since: 1996
Personal Statement
My interest in birth started when I had my first baby, and then became a Bradley childbirth educator. My first career was as a modern dancer and choreographer, but the first time I saw a birth that was not my own, I thought to myself, “I could never make a dance that good!” Gradually moving along the path to midwifery, I had three more children. I have given birth once in the hospital with a doctor, once in the hospital with a midwife, and twice at home with a midwife—or two! I have had a long-held dream of being “the village midwife,” serving people who live right around me, and holding the space for them to have the births that they envision for themselves, no matter what their circumstances. I was so happy to find Erin Fulham CNM and learn that we shared the same dream, which led us to start M.A.M.A.S., the first home birth midwifery service based in Takoma Park! Erin is now retired, but Emily, Luisely, and I continue to live the dream of offering state-of-the-art, personalized, evidence-based care to women and people assigned female at birth, throughout the lifespan. We are interested in hearing about every aspect of our clients’ lives, and are passionately committed to providing state-of-the-art, client-centered perinatal care, breastfeeding, early parenting, gyn care, fertility services, primary care, and urgent care. My most deeply-held belief is that every woman and birthing person is entitled to autonomy, respect, and compassionate care, and full authority over their body and their health.
I completed my midwifery training at the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing in 1996, and in 2019 became one of the first eight Doctors of Midwifery in the U.S. (through the Midwifery Institute at Jefferson). When I am not catching babies, I love to read, go to the movies, and sing.
Favorite Book: The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk
Favorite Movies: Contact, Love Actually
Favorite Musicians: Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Michael Jackson, Gloria Estefan, and my own kids (look for “epuline” on soundcloud.com)!
Favorite Quote: “This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of Nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.” George Bernard Shaw
Emily Johnson CNM, MSN, IBCLC
Midwife Since: May 2020
Personal Statement
It was during my service in the Peace Corps that I first met community midwives and life experiences have continued to show me how community is integral to the work that we do to serve birthing persons and their families. Upon my return to the U.S., I completed my BSN at Johns Hopkins & served in the Birth Companions Doula program. This solidified my passion and love for evidenced-based, holistic, person-centered midwifery care. I then worked for the Indian Health Service as a labor & delivery and postpartum nurse with the Diné (Navajo) and White Mountain Apache nations for 4 wonderful years. I completed my MSN as a Certified Nurse-Midwife at the University of New Mexico and moved back to the DMV following my husband, Dan, an officer in the US Public Health Service. As an Internationally Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) I love serving breast/chest feeding parents, working towards a successful lactation journey and trouble-shooting issues along the way. I am beyond thrilled to be working with M.A.M.A.S as a full scope midwife.
In my personal mission in midwifery, I aim to create spaces that are equitable, safe, and honoring of all persons. I believe that people are experts of their own bodies. I strive to question my personal ways of knowing and constantly reflect on the impact of biases in healthcare. I hope to always honor the art and science of midwifery, walking alongside those I serve through their journeys of health and wellness.
Favorites: In my spare time I enjoy taking my dog Willow on hikes, going camping, exploring National Parks with my husband, listening to educational podcasts, and watching Pixar movies.
Book: Tattoos on the Heart by Father Gregory Boyle
Podcasts (too many to name): More Perfect, Revisionist History, Evidence Based Birth, The Birth Hour
Luisely Melecio-Zambrano, CPM, L-DEM, MDiv
Midwife Since: 2015
Personal Statement
Luisely felt called to accompany birthing people at the tender age of 4. After a few births, a few decades and another career she began studying to become a midwife. She studied in El Paso, Texas and did her clinical at a birth center on the US/Mexico border. She became a Certified Professional Midwife in 2017 and has worked alongside homebirth midwives in Puerto Rico and southern Alabama. She feels honored and privileged to be called to witness the miraculous strength, love, and body wisdom of pregnant/birthing people and their families. Luisely believes in the sacredness of birth and sees part of her role as a guardian of that sacredness. Prior to becoming a midwife Luisely accompanied people who were sexually exploited, experiencing incarceration, working as commercial sex workers and other marginalized members of our community in the US, Haiti and Brazil. Luisely accompanies people who want to deepen their unique spirituality as a spiritual director. She offers her spiritual direction services at www.birthinglight.org.
Birth Assistants
Corinne M. Ducey RN, CD
Corinne has attended births since 2012, when she became a Certified Birth Doula. She graduated from Montgomery College’s Nursing program in 2020, and immediately began working in the community birth setting as an RN. She grew up hearing about her mother’s wonderful experience with the midwives at The Maternity Center, a birthing center in Bethesda, where Corinne was born! A graduate of Smith College in 2014 (Mathematics & Statistics) and Montgomery College (Nursing) in 2020, Corinne believes every woman deserves a midwife’s compassionate care. Corinne is also a professional bicycle mechanic and musician (voice, fiddle, guitar, piano). Her favorite singers are Moira Smiley and Sweet Honey in the Rock. Corinne is thrilled to be part of the M.A.M.A.S. team!
Timisha Gomez, RN, GNM, LMT
Bio coming soon.