Team Bios
Tanya Momtazian
Title: Midwife
Bio:
Tanya is thrilled to have set some roots down in the Kootenays to raise her young and growing family and to become part of the Apple Tree team. She has been working as a midwife in Nelson since 2008 after graduating from the UBC Midwifery Program. In 2012, she completed a Masters of Public Health from Johns Hopkins. She is currently the Board Chair of the BC College of Nurses and Midwives and an Adjunct professor at UBC Midwifery. She enjoys being part of this thriving community and spending time outdoors: snowboarding, hiking, and beaching as well as traveling to new places or visiting family and friends.
Lisa Sawyer
Title: Family Physician
Bio:
Lisa Sawyer has been practicing as a family physician in Nelson since 2004 after receiving her medical degree from Ottawa. She is a strong advocate and supporter of women receiving a holistic and supportive approach to maternity care. Lisa also works as a baby-doc, providing on-call support to newborns when needed at Kootenay Lake Hospital. She has a teenage son Evan and loves to play with the Moving Mosaic Samba Band.
Lisa Delorme
Title: Midwife
Bio:
Lisa became passionate about childbirth and midwifery after attending the birth of a family friend as a teenager. Over the next ten years she strengthened her love and commitment for supporting women during the childbearing cycle by working as a doula and also through the midwife attended births of her children. Lisa graduated from Bastyr University in 2013 with a Master of Science in Midwifery. Her thesis focused on the ethics of international training for midwifery students. In 2014 she completed the International Midwifery Pre-registration Program in order to become registered in Canada. Since then she has been working as a Registered Midwife in Ontario. As a longtime resident of the Slocan Valley Lisa is thrilled to be returning to the Kootenays and is excited to be joining the Apple Tree team.
Lisa Wiley
Title: Midwife
Bio:
Lisa was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Her passion to become a midwife blossomed from roots of women’s health advocacy and political activism for egalitarian, holistic, and empowering health care options for childbearing people and their communities. She earned her Master’s degree in the Science of Midwifery from Bastyr University in Seattle in 2013, transitioned into Canada through the International Midwifery Pre-Registration Program in Ontario in 2015, and has helped with nurturing new families in four nations. She is new to BC, feeling gratitude for such a warm welcome to the Kootenays, and reveling in becoming familiar with the beautiful community and surroundings here.
Helena Czubernat
Title: Family Physician
Bio:
Helena grew up in Ontario with Polish/French roots and completed her medical school at the University of Ottawa. She did her family medicine residency training in Chilliwack, during which she did a 2-month rotation in Nelson and fell in love with the people, the community and, of course, its nature. She is passionate about providing maternity care in an environment that nurtures holistic care that supports women throughout this experience alongside a multidisciplinary team. After doing family medicine and maternity locums across BC and The Yukon she is so grateful to be able to have the opportunity to work with the Apple Tree team again who have beautifully made her ideals reality and to finally set roots in Nelson with her husband and recently her daughter! She enjoys hiking, skiing, all water related activities and cares very much about sustainability and the environment.
Christina New
Title: Midwife
Bio:
It is a delight to be working with Apple Tree Maternity. I had the pleasure of working in Nelson back in 2020 as a 4th year UBC midwifery student, and am looking forward to seeing the familiar faces!
I grew up in my family-run guesthouse in Bangkok, Thailand and moved to Ontario when I was 7 years old. In 2016, I completed a bachelor of Health Science Honours degree at McMaster University. My inspiration to become a midwife came to me while on an exchange in Ireland, conducting research with the midwifery faculty at the University of Limerick. I moved to British Columbia in 2017 to complete my midwifery degree at the University of British Columbia. Prior to working with Apple Tree I have worked as a registered midwife in Abbotsford, BC.
I am looking forward to re-exploring the beautiful hiking trails of the Kootenays, and am so grateful to be serving the families in this community once more.
Tay Ferrier
Title: Midwife (regular locum)
Bio:
I am so thrilled to be working alongside the lovely providers at Apple Tree Maternity. Since I grew up in Castlegar and completed midwifery training in Nelson, I feel a deep connection to the Kootenays. It is very meaningful for me to be back in Nelson providing midwifery care!
Growing up with parents who were both healthcare providers exposed me to the unique experience and importance of healthcare in small communities. Some of my earliest memories are of tagging along with my mum as she completed home visits for her clients as a Lactation Consultant and Public Health Nurse in this community. Even at a young age, I could appreciate how special it was to be able to access care right from your home.
Before studying midwifery at UBC, I completed a degree in Geography at McGill University focusing on topics of health and environment. I am really fascinated by all the amazing changes that occur during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, and this, along with the strong connections midwives are able to build with their clients lead me to pursue midwifery.
Courtney Nicholl
Title: Lactation Consultant and Breastfeeding Facilitator
Bio:
After growing up in Nelson, Courtney moved away to Vancouver to pursue education. Courtney practiced as a Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula (DONA International) for 5 years prior to graduating as a Registered Nurse from British Columbia Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Advanced Perinatal Nursing Certification in 2017. Courtney worked in both high and low risk Labour and Delivery at BC Women’s Hospital until 2020, alongside some of the most experienced specialists in the province, where she gained a vast amount of knowledge with dreams of bringing her experience back to the Kootenays. Courtney went on to obtain the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) designation, Certified Prenatal Educator designation, as well as Certified Practice for Contraception and STI Management in Nursing. Courtney supports clients at Apple Tree Maternity Clinic, Kootenay Lake Hospital Maternity, as well as the Nelson Options for Sexual Health Clinic as Clinic Supervisor. Courtney enjoys providing excellent and all-encompassing care to those who need it.
Jocelyn Bouchard
Title: Lactation Consultant and Volunteer Coordinator – Circle of Support
Bio:
I graduated from the University of Calgary as a Registered Nurse in 2014. My passion is preventative Health, especially working with young families, moms and babies. I’ve been working as a Public Health Nurse since graduating. After several years of experience with breastfeeding support, postpartum home visits, and well child clinic, I continued to develop professionally by becoming a Lactation Consultant in 2018. I happily moved to the Kootenays in February 2019 because I wanted to be in the mountains with outdoor adventure at my fingertips. I’m so happy to join the beautiful, active and diverse community Nelson and even more thrilled to be living my passion of supporting new families at Apple Tree Maternity.
Rebecca Gosney
Title: Mental Health Nurse and Counselor
Bio:
I graduated from the University of Wolverhampton in 1999 as a registered mental health nurse, initially gaining experience in inpatient Psychiatry, but quickly moving on to work in community based mental health settings. This allowed me to spend time developing therapeutic skills, approaching mental health holistically and being client centred first. I have a natural curiosity of humans and love helping people work through challenges that may be great or small. I also have a special interest in perinatal and post natal mental health after delivering my first son at 23 weeks and 5 days.
I immigrated to Canada in 2008 and now enjoy keeping very active at Cross Fit, working as the Team Lead at McKim Cottage, spending time with my family and friends and raising awareness of mental health whenever I can in this great community.
Vicki Koehle
Title: Office Manager
Bio:
I have worked in the health and wellness field for over 20 years in Nelson. My husband and I both grew up in the Nelson area, raising our 3 adult children in the beautiful local mountains. We enjoy camping, kayaking and being outdoors with our family .
Emily Deschuymer
Title: Office Administrator
Bio:
While I have worked various office administrative and childcare jobs over the past 15 years, my education is in Social Work. I completed my diploma at McEwan University in Edmonton, AB. about 20 years ago. My hometown is Brule, AB at the base of the Rockies. My love of the mountains drew me to Nelson in 2003 and I have raised my two children here. My passions include playing guitar and singing, seeing live music, biking, hiking, camping and growing as many flowers as possible.
Alana Ludington
Title: Social Work/Counsellor
Bio: Bio not available
Darren Thomason
Title: Social Work/Partners Counsellor
Bio:
Darren has worked in the human services and mental health field for the last 15 years. He started his career in Vancouver but moved to the Kootenays in 2011. In 2019 he completed his Bachelors degree in Social Work at the University of Victoria and became registered the same year. Darren has a special interest in supporting perinatal/postpartum partners.
He spends his free time hanging with his family (he has 2 young and energetic kids), snowboarding, skateboarding, and walking his dog.
Lauren Andres
Title: Perinatal Educator
Bio: Bio not available
Leif Mjolsness
Title: Childbirth Educator
Bio:
Leif is a Birth Doula, Registered Therapeutic Counsellor, and Birth Photographer. She began attending births in 2003 as a friend and photographer. In 2013, she started on the path of becoming a Birth Doula and became DONA certified in 2016. Over the years she has supported many people through the journey of birth, and taken many photos that capture these precious moments. In 2023 she became a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor enhancing her ability to hold space for individuals not only during birth but also throughout their broader life experiences.
Leif is a co-facilitator of the group prenatal care at Apple Tree. In this role, she creates and maintains a nurturing environment conducive to learning, sharing, and feeling supported throughout the birth experience. Her dedication to providing compassionate care shines through in her facilitation of these sessions, ensuring that participants feel empowered and equipped for their birthing journey.
Kayleigh Hannewyk
Title: 4th Year Midwifery Student
Bio:
My name is Kayleigh Hannewyk and I am a fourth-year UBC Midwifery student. I am delighted to be completing my midwifery degree with Apple Tree this year. I look forward to supporting families along their pregnancy and postpartum journeys with Apple Tree.
I became fascinated with the physiology of pregnancy and birth while completing my Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences & Health Studies at Queen’s University. I went onto pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at UBC with the intention of specializing in maternal-child health. While working as a Registered Nurse in Postpartum at BC Women’s Hospital, I learned about the tremendous benefits of the Midwifery model of care. I saw how the continuity of care, comprehensive and ongoing support, and informed choice empowers midwifery clients. The idea of providing holistic care throughout pregnancy, birth and the transition to parenthood resonates so deeply with me that I chose to pursue a career in Midwifery.
I grew up in Ottawa but spent many summers working as a tree planter in northern BC. I moved to Nelson in 2017 to work for the BC Wildfire Service as a forest firefighter. I quickly fell in love with the Kootenays and was happy to move back to Nelson permanently last year. When I am not working or studying, I enjoy getting outside to run, bike and ski!
I believe that being part of the birthing journey is an immense privilege and I am very grateful for this learning opportunity with Apple Tree. Thank you for sharing your birth experiences with me!
Joanie Mercier
Title: Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist
Bio:
Joanie is thrilled to have founded Wild Berry Pelvic Health Physiotherapy. She graduated with a Master’s Degree in Physiotherapy from the University of Montreal in 2011. Her training in pelvic and Women’s health includes the completion of the Short Graduate Program in Perineal and Pelvic Rehabilitation (University of Montreal, 2014). Joanie completed a PhD in physiotherapy in September 2020, in which she studied the effects of a pelvic floor exercise program on perineal symptoms of menopause, which obtained encouraging results. Since 2012, she has worked in a private clinic and a research centre, mostly with women affected by pelvic floor issues. Joanie was also a lecturer at the University of Montreal, teaching on the subject of urinary incontinence assessment and treatment. She fell in love with Nelson and its community in 2016 and is so grateful to be part of it now.
Carlie Hickson
Title: Registered Massage Therapist
Bio:
Carlie graduated in 2013 from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy in Victoria BC. Since then she has gained experience working in a variety of multidisciplinary settings including a lymphatic health clinic, physiotherapy clinic, and integrative health clinic. As an RMT she has always been drawn to caring for patients during their childbearing years. This led her to pursue further training in prenatal & postpartum massage therapy care, and breast massage & breastfeeding support. She is also a certified Manual Lymph Drainage practitioner and uses lymphatic drainage to support the diverse needs of her patients.
Carlie was born and raised in Nelson and couldn’t be happier to have joined the team at Apple Tree Maternity. Her practice is called The Nest Registered Massage Therapy, with the idea in mind that her little massage room at the clinic is the cozy “nest” in the Apple Tree. Although her practice focus is perinatal massage therapy care, she aims to have an inclusive practice where everyone is welcome.
Sandrine Dionne
Title: 2nd Year Midwifery Student
Bio:
Hello! My name is Sandrine, and I am a 2nd year midwifery student at UBC. I’m originally from Québec, but have lived in the Lower Mainland since I was 5 and very much consider British Columbia home.
I first wanted to be a midwife after witnessing my younger brother’s home birth when I was 8 years old, and have been fascinated by pregnancy and birth ever since. The more I learned about midwifery, the more I realized just how perfectly it intertwines my values and passions into the ideal profession. I don’t take lightly the privilege and honour it is to be involved in the intimate and vulnerable time that is pregnancy, and am eternally grateful to the families who welcome me into their journey and allow me to learn from them.
In my spare time I can often be found picking up new creative hobbies, knitting, sewing, baking, or cuddling my sweet cat, Stewart!