MIDWIVES
Abby Reichardt,
Licensed Midwife
Abby Reichardt was born and raised in the Gainesville area. She earned a Bachelor's of Science in 2010 from the UF Family, Youth and Community Sciences department. From a young age, Abby felt drawn to birth, babies and families. She has been doing birth work since 2011, worked with Midwives Cooperative as a student midwife beginning in 2015, and became a Florida Licensed Midwife in 2018. She feels very fortunate to be part of such a supportive home birth practice that keeps low-risk out of hospital birth safe and accessible.
Kerri Audette,
Licensed Midwife
Kerri Audette, is a licensed midwife and graduate of the Florida School of Traditional Midwifery, where she currently serves as Program Director. Kerri also holds a Bachelor's of Design from the UF School of Architecture. She was inspired to pursue work in women’s health as a result of her experiences with her local women’s roller derby league. Kerri birthed her own children at home with the support of Midwives Cooperative midwives.
Sorell Pagliara,
Licensed Midwife
Sorell’s exposure to the loving and expert care of midwives began with the home birth of her siblings. She was led to midwifery as a career after the birth of her daughters, Willow and Juniper. Sorell graduated from The Florida School of Traditional Midwifery in 2016 and has been attending home birth and birth center births in her home town of Gainesville, Florida and the surrounding area since 2012.
STUDENT MIDWIVES
Sam McNeil,
Student Midwife
Sam is a current student at the Florida School of Traditional Midwifery. She is a South Carolina native that is now a joyful Florida resident. She has been Doula for 10 years and has a passion for providing accessible care for all people. Sam’s future goals are to graduate midwifery school and establish a model of care that offers Midwifery care from familiar providers to the BIPOC & LGBTQ+ communities. With the support of her life partner & family, Sam is currently enjoying furthering her education and attending births with the Midwives Cooperative.
Vanessa Valdes,
Student Midwife
Vanessa is a current student at the Florida School of Traditional Midwifery. In 2018 her journey into midwifery began with advocacy work centered around survivors of domestic violence. Witnessing their resilience and strength inspired her to seek ways to support folks not only in their most vulnerable moments but also during times of deep transformation. Vanessa is profoundly grateful for the opportunity to walk beside families as they embark on the journey of pregnancy.
Naomi Thompson,
Student Midwife
Naomi is a current student at the Florida School of Traditional Midwifery. She has been fascinated by the world of pregnancy and birth from a very young age. Inspired by her mother’s midwives through six younger siblings, she hopes to bring a fresh and encouraging spirit to the world of midwifery care. Naomi is passionate about serving the women and families in her community and would love to one day bring midwifery care to her hometown of Melrose, Florida.