Educators

I joined the Perinatal Education team seven years ago to help growing families feel informed, supported, and confident as they prepare for their new arrival. With 25 years as an inpatient pediatric nurse, caring for children of all ages and supporting parents and staff, I understand what families need to get off to a great start.

I teach Breastfeeding and Pumping, Back to Work Breastfeeding, Childbirth Preparation, Baby Care Basics, Sibling Classes, and Birth Center Tours, with a focus on making practical sense of the latest recommendations. Though my two children are now adults, I still remember the questions and emotions of early parenthood and love helping others navigate this incredible transition!

Born and raised in Minnesota, I earned my nursing degree from Bethel University in 1997 and have been a registered nurse at Mayo Clinic since 1998. My passion is educating families, helping them build confidence in birth and parenting. While I have stepped away from bedside nursing, I now focus on my role as a perinatal educator, with a special emphasis on teaching the 4-week Prenatal Series on Zoom.

As a busy mother of three, I spend my time homeschooling, cross-stitching, reading, and connecting with friends. Twice a day—rain or shine—you’ll find me walking down our country road alongside my husband.

As a perinatal educator with over 30 years of experience, I have dedicated my career to obstetric and neonatal nursing, ambulatory care, and collegiate nursing education. I hold certifications as a Nurse Educator, Lactation Counselor, and Infant Massage Teacher, and I am passionate about providing valuable education to families as they navigate this transformative time.

While I have taught most of the classes in our program, I especially enjoy leading Comfort Strategies, Grandparenting, Infant Massage, and Birth Center Tours. I believe in the power of gratitude and kindness, and I strive to create a welcoming and supportive learning environment for all.

Outside of work, I love traveling, spending time with family and friends, and caring for my grand dogs. I look forward to working with you and supporting you on your journey into parenthood!

I have been teaching in Perinatal Education at Mayo Clinic for over 16 years, guiding families through pregnancy, birth, and newborn care. I currently teach the Weekend Prenatal Series, Comfort Skills, Baby Care Basics, and Grandparenting classes. As a certified Lamaze educator, lactation counselor, and nurse educator, I am committed to providing current, evidence-based guidance to help families feel confident and prepared for birth and parenting.

With 27 years as a full-time nursing instructor, I value kind and respectful communication, especially in bridging the gap between new parents and grandparents. I love connecting with families in both in-person and virtual classes, ensuring they feel supported every step of the way.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading, and outdoor activities.

With over 18 years as a Registered Nurse at Mayo Clinic and 13 years in obstetrics, I am passionate about supporting families through education. I teach classes on baby care basics, infant passenger safety, infant massage, infant CPR, sibling preparation, and Family Birth Center tours. I am a Certified Infant Massage Teacher (CIMT II), Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST), and hold an academic appointment as an Instructor of Nursing at Mayo Clinic.

Outside of work, I enjoy life on our farm with my husband and two children, staying active with sports, travel, and time outdoors. I understand the joys and challenges of parenting and strive to empower new parents with knowledge, confidence, and real-world guidance.

I look forward to supporting you on this exciting journey!

With over 20 years of experience as a perinatal/neonatal nurse and 15 years as a perinatal educator, I am passionate about supporting families through transformative times. I hold certifications in Childbirth Education, Lactation Counseling, Infant Massage, Child Passenger Safety, and Mindfulness-Based Childbirth & Parenting (MBCP). I have a mindful approach to living and a passion for fostering meaningful connections, serving families with compassion, and contributing to a kinder world. As the Nurse Manager of the Perinatal Education Program, I especially value hearing about your experience in our classrooms.

Beyond my professional life, I find joy and restoration in nature—walking, hiking, and biking, with a special love for exploring National Parks and Minnesota trails. I cherish time with my husband and grown daughters, as well as Minnesota sports, meditation, and a good book.

With 25 years at Mayo Clinic, I have spent 10 years as a postpartum nurse and 9 years in Perinatal Education, supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. I am a Certified Lactation Counselor, Certified Passenger Safety Technician, Advanced Certified Infant Massage Teacher, and International Certified Childbirth Educator.

My passion for prenatal and postpartum education was shaped by my own experience—my son was born 5 weeks early, and the incredible nurses in postpartum and the Ei-NICU helped us navigate the uncertainties of having a preemie. Their support inspired me to dedicate my career to educating and empowering families through this transformative time.

I look forward to guiding you on your journey into parenthood!

I’m a registered nurse with 13 years of experience and a passion for perinatal education. For the past three years, I’ve been teaching families as a perinatal educator, while also working in the neonatal ICU at Saint Marys and the Family Birth Center at Mayo Clinic. I hold certifications in Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing and as a Child Passenger Safety Technician, and I’m proud to have an academic appointment as an Instructor in Nursing. My greatest joy is empowering families to feel confident and prepared in caring for their newborns.

Outside of work, I love spending time with my husband, our three children, and our coonhound, Scout. Our family stays busy with kid activities, sports, and cheering on our favorite college football team.

With six years as a Neonatal Nurse and experience in the Gynecology/Urology Surgical Post-Operative unit at Mayo Clinic, I bring both professional expertise and personal experience to infant care. As a mother of three young children, I understand firsthand the joys and challenges of breastfeeding, newborn care, and early parenting. I am certified in CPR and the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), ensuring families receive practical, evidence-based guidance.

I am passionate about creating a supportive, open, and honest environment for families as they navigate this exciting chapter. My goal is to provide relatable, empowering education that helps parents feel confident and prepared.

I look forward to connecting with you and supporting your growing family!

I’m excited to be part of the Perinatal Educator team at Mayo Clinic, where I’ve been a dedicated registered nurse for five years. With experience in Mother/Baby Postpartum, NICU, and Labor & Delivery, I bring a well-rounded perspective to perinatal care. I currently teach the Prenatal Series for Childbirth Preparation and the Infant Passenger Safety Course.

I earned my BSN from Luther College (SKOL NORSE!) and am pursuing my Master’s in Nursing Education at Winona State University, set to graduate in spring 2027. As a Certified Car Seat Passenger Safety Technician, I actively educate families on safety principles. I also hold bronze and silver certifications through the Mayo Clinic Quality Academy and am a proud member of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics, and Neonatal Nurses. My passion for quality improvement has led me to contribute to projects focused on newborn safe sleep and postpartum education.

Outside of work, I love hiking with my golden retriever, Sven, trying new recipes, and spending time with friends and family. I can’t wait to support you in class as you begin your exciting journey into parenthood!

With over 34 years at Mayo Clinic, I have spent the last 23 years in Obstetric and Perinatal Education, supporting families through pregnancy and birth. I currently serve in multiple roles, working part-time as a Labor & Delivery nurse at the Mayo Family Birth Center, as a Hospital House Nurse Supervisor, and as a prenatal educator. I hold a master’s in nursing education and certifications as a Lactation Counselor and Child Passenger Safety Technician. While I teach many classes, I have a special passion for Breastfeeding and Infant Passenger Safety education. One of my favorite parts of my work is reconnecting with families I’ve taught when they arrive at the Family Birth Center or OB triage.

Outside of work, I am a proud mom to two adult children—my daughter is a teacher, and my son, who is on the autism spectrum, works at Mayo Clinic. I have a love for animals, especially dogs, and share my home with three pups. I enjoy reading, golfing, knitting, and volunteering with the Rochester Flyers Special Olympics team. If you deliver on a holiday, your baby might receive one of the special holiday hats I knit for newborns!

I look forward to supporting you during this exciting time in your life!

I’m a mother of three grown children, grandmother to two beautiful girls, and wife of 30 years. I have spent 28 years at Mayo Clinic, primarily in the NICU, but also as a Postpartum Nurse in the Family Birth Center, a Staff Nurse in the NE Clinic, and an IV Transfusion Nurse. Some of my most rewarding moments have been educating families and mentoring new nurses as a longtime staff preceptor. One of my proudest achievements is seeing my daughter follow in my footsteps as a Postpartum Nurse.

Outside of work, my husband and I live on a hobby farm with goats, chickens, and four dogs, and we recently planted 60 apple trees with hopes of starting a small fruit farm. As a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, NICU Nurse, and hands-on grandmother, I bring a multifaceted perspective to newborn care and safety. In my free time, I enjoy camping, hiking, gardening, and exploring new hobbies.

I’m an Advanced Practice Nurse (APRN), Certified Nurse Midwife, and Certified
Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) Educator with over 45 years of
experience in childbirth and women’s health. As a Midwife Fellow, I dedicated my
entire 27-year midwifery career to Mayo Clinic, where I helped establish the Midwifery
practice in 1997 and introduced Mindfulness education in 2017.
Since 2012, I have pursued mindfulness education, becoming a qualified MBSR teacher
through UMass Medical School and Brown University in 2019. I serve on the MBCP
Foundation Faculty, teaching mindfulness out of my deep passion for its transformative
benefits for patients and families.

With 10 years as a labor and delivery nurse, I bring both experience and passion to my role as a perinatal educator. I love guiding families through birth and newborn care, addressing their unique needs with empathy and expertise. In my prenatal classes, I strive to create personal connections, ensuring parents feel confident and prepared for the journey ahead.

Outside of work, I am a wife and mother to four children, cherishing the joy of watching them grow. Our family loves spending time outdoors, hiking, and exploring the beauty of God’s creation together.

I look forward to supporting you on this incredible journey!

With over 10 years of experience working with neonatal populations, I have served as a NICU nurse, International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, and Perinatal Educator. I hold certifications in Lactation Consulting, Child Passenger Safety, and Obstetric Neonatal Quality and Safety. I teach a variety of classes, including Infant Passenger Safety, Art of Breastfeeding and Pumping, Baby Care Basics, and the Prenatal Series, with a special passion for breastfeeding and pumping education—helping families both before and after their baby arrives.

Outside of work, I love spending time with my kids, cheering them on in gymnastics, soccer, lacrosse, and fencing. I also enjoy flower gardening, hiking, and traveling with my husband. Currently, I am pursuing my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) as a Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist.