Heather R. Lane, CNM, MSN

Never did I realize that becoming a midwife would, for me, be like coming home (both literally and figuratively). My work with women, children and families over many years ultimately guided me in the direction of midwifery school. As I often say, I had no idea what I was truly getting into when I ch...

Never did I realize that becoming a midwife would, for me, be like coming home (both literally and figuratively). My work with women, children and families over many years ultimately guided me in the direction of midwifery school. As I often say, I had no idea what I was truly getting into when I chose to become a midwife, but it was the most ignorant, divine decision I ever made.

I attended Yale School of Nursing after moving from St. Louis where I had spent a year working in a hospital-based doula program. Both during and after Yale I traveled to South Africa where I worked with Zulu women in Kwazulu Natal. While obtaining my Master's in Nursing, I also worked as a labor and delivery nurse at Yale New Haven Hospital. After graduating from midwifery school in 2005, I spent several years in the Boston, MA, area working with a diverse population of women from Cape Verde, Central America, Puerto Rico, and Haiti.

As life often leads you "full circle", in 2010 I found myself heading "home" to Rochester, where I had spent the first 17 years of my life. I married my husband, Brandon, a teacher, who is my solid and steady partner and has made my life and the life of our family manageable despite the unpredictability of a career "catching babies". We were blessed by our first son, Tristan Cooper, in 2012 who was lovingly caught by Elizabeth Cooper, C.N.M., Ed.D., and Michele Burtner, C.N.M., I.C.B.L.C. and our second son, Bowden Preston, in 2016, also gently guided into the world by Michele Burtner. In our free time we love to swim, hike, travel, and spend time with friends and family. The boys keep Brandon and I busy and on our toes--life is never dull!

It is my privilege to care for women throughout their lifespan, from adolescence through menopause. I believe that people (not just women!) should be empowered through education and respect for individuality within our healthcare system and that midwives can promote, normalize, and advocate for this through our family-centered philosophy.