Meet Our Staff
Each of our energetic, knowledgeable instructors combines rigorous training with personal experience in childbirth and motherhood. Our instructors are required to participate in continuing education programs and many are actively involved in related professional organizations, as well.
Instructors for childbirth classes with the credentials LCCE are Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educators, a certification offered by Lamaze International.
Marciah Boerema
I am an Infant Care instructor and have been with the Lamaze Family Center since 1990.I believe all expectant parents have the capacity to be loving, nurturing and knowledgeable parents – I just empower them so they KNOW this for themselves! I have also taught our Becoming Big Brothers & Sisters class and Parent-Toddler Playgroups. I have a degree in Child Development/Early Childhood Education, and am a preschool teacher during the week. I'm married to Bob, and have three children that are now way past infant-hood!
Classes This Instructor Teaches
Kathy Brady, Signing Smart certified instructor
I first experienced the magic of Signing Smart by signing with my own young daughters. I am passionate about infant sign language as a means of early expression, and enjoy helping families strengthen their bond through this special gift of language. I hold a degree in communications and English, and have studied American Sign Language (ASL).Classes This Instructor Teaches
Cara Genisio, LCCE
I learned first-hand how much of an impact childbirth preparation classes can make when I was a student. The class I took here at LFCAA made a fundamental contribution to the profound, wonderful birth experience that I had with my daughter. This is when my passion for childbirth education began, and I joined LFCAA as a staff member when my daughter was four months old. Before her arrival, I was an Elementary school teacher, and I am very fortunate to continue working with children through the LFC's "Becoming Brothers and Sisters" class.
Classes This Instructor Teaches
Kelly Grocoff, MSW
Kelly Grocoff, MSW, is a psychotherapist with a private practice in Ann Arbor, MI. She specializes in sex therapy, change of life issues, relationship concerns, and recovery from trauma and abuse. She received her Masters Degree from the University of Michigan School of Social Work. She is a member of the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists and the National Association of Social Workers. She and her husband Matt are proud parents of their daughter Jane.Classes This Instructor Teaches
Amy Hanna
Classes This Instructor Teaches
Jodie Hughes, LCCE
Becoming a mom has changed my life in countless and amazing ways! After completing a degree in English at the University of Michigan I thought that I would return later to pursue a career in academics. My own birth experiences, which started here when I took my Lamaze class in 2003, were the beginning of a new passion for me. When we welcomed our son and later our daughter in 2006, I was in awe of them and the beautiful process of pregnancy and birth! The knowledge, strength and empowerment, as well as the life-long friendships I made in Lamaze helped to prepare me for parenting and shifted my focus in this new direction. I realized that I had to pursue my dream and work with pregnant families. I am proud to say that last year I began working towards a degree in nursing. I know that I have found my path through continuing my education as well as by sharing in the mission here at the Lamaze Family Center. I am thrilled and so honored to be a part of such an incredible time in the life of a family. Classes This Instructor Teaches
- American Red Cross Infant CPR
- American Red Cross Infant CPR Private
- Early Pregnancy Workshop
- Infant Care
- Infant Care for Adoptive Families
- Infant Care Private
- Lamaze All-Day Childbirth Class
- Lamaze Childbirth Preparation Series
- Lamaze Private Classes
- Lamaze Review Workshop
- Lamaze Teen Childbirth Series
Karen Kairys
I am a psychiatric nurse who lives in Ann Arbor with my husband Michael. We have three ‘almost-grown’ sons. I have been co-facilitating the Miscarriage and Newborn Loss group since 2001.
Julie Leonard
I started with Lamaze after attending a New Mother’s Group with my first child in 1997. My wonderful experience with that group led me to work for Lamaze, leading Mother’s Groups, Childbirth Classes and Becoming Brothers and Sisters Classes. After a hiatus to be home with my two children, and earn a Social Work degree from EMU, I am thrilled to be back at Lamaze. I truly love helping to guide new parents through the amazing maze of parenting. I believe that having a strong, supportive community is one of the most important factors to being a parent, and I hope to help build that community for our new families.Classes This Instructor Teaches
Meredith Lovelace, Marketing & Programs Manager, LCCE
People always told me having a baby changes your life, and I didn't truly believe them until our son, Wesley, was born. Thanks to a variety of connections to the Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor, I joined a Mother's Group, and I was immediately hooked; I love the commitment, passion and focus of the LFC leadership and staff. I have over twelve years' experience in nonprofit management, communications and web development, and am happy to share my skills and perspective as a "new-ish" mom (our second child, Josie, was born in January) with LFCAA and serve as the Marketing & Programs Manager as well as a childbirth educator. I have recently completed my training and certification with Lamaze International.
Classes This Instructor Teaches
Judy Lynch-Sauer
Judy has been a facilitator for the Miscarriage and Newborn Loss Support Group since 1985.
Kim Mitchell
I have a B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education and have worked with young children in various settings for the past twenty years. My family of four children enjoy camping, gardening, and being involved in all types of sporting events- soccer, football, track, wrestling, and Lacrosse. I have taught the Becoming Brothers and Sisters class at Lamaze Family Center for eight years and I teach Parent-Toddler Playgroups. Each time I teach I marvel at the unique and special qualities each child and family brings to the group. This is a career I find most satisfying.
Classes This Instructor Teaches
Donna Murphy, LMSW, CLS, TRS
Donna has been a facilitator for the Miscarriage and Newborn Loss Support Group since 2008.Lee Rosenblum
Lee has been a facilitator with the Miscarriage and Newborn Loss Support Group since 1994.
Elizabeth Satterley, LCCE, CD(DONA)
I became fascinated with pregnancy and birth while pregnant with my son in 2005. I had an amazing birth experience and couldn’t get over how changed I felt. So much so, that I was inspired to help other new moms to have their own powerful birth experience. I left my career as a wedding cake decorator and pastry chef to train with and work for the Lamaze Family Center as a childbirth educator. I am a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE) and a certified birth doula with DONA International (CD(DONA)).
Classes This Instructor Teaches
- Early Pregnancy Workshop
- Lamaze All-Day Childbirth Class
- Lamaze Childbirth Preparation Series
- Lamaze Private Classes
- Lamaze Review Workshop
Stephanie Schaldenbrand, MA, LCCE, CD(DONA) - Executive Director
I have three loves in my life: my husband, my four children, and working with pregnant women and their families. My love for this field began in 2000 when I started teaching childbirth classes. Since then, my journey has led me to become certified with Lamaze International and start my own doula business. In 2005, I became executive director of the Lamaze Family Center. Being a part of the birth community has given me a real sense of passion. I just love it!
Classes This Instructor Teaches
Moira Tannenbaum, MSN, CNM, IBCLC, LCCE
I have worked with families since 1991, a year after bringing my first child into the world. I have taught breastfeeding classes at Lamaze Family Center since 2008 and still occasionally teach childbirth preparation classes here, which I first taught here in 2003. I am a board-certified lactation consultant, and certified nurse-midwife. As a midwife, I work in a birth center and also with families who choose home birth. Prior to becoming a midwife, I facilitated mothers’ groups and was a nurse in many settings: labor and delivery, mother/baby, NICU, and home visits.
Classes This Instructor Teaches
Sue Wintermeyer-Pingel
I have worked at the University of Michigan since 1985 in Hematology/Oncology, Bone Marrow Transplant, Gynecology/Oncology, and in Patient Support Services.
My area of interest includes psychosocial support of those facing a serious illness and loss related to this experience. I developed and coordinate the U-M Cancer Center’s Coping Through Transitions Grief and Loss Program for which I received the Ford Motor Company "Partners in Health" award in 2003. I have been a facilitator for the LFC’s Miscarriage and Newborn Loss group since 2000.
Marilee Woodworth, IBCLC
My calling in life is to help mothers and their babies breastfeed. I have taught the Lamaze Breastfeeding Class since 1994. I am a certified lactation consultant and a La Leche League leader. I am a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, daughter, and friend and these roles are vital to me.
Classes This Instructor Teaches
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