40 Years of Exceptional, Client-Centered Care

The Midwife Center for Birth & Women's Health is excited to celebrate 40 years of exceptional, client-centered care in 2022! Throughout the year, we're celebrating this milestone and all the people who have been part of our history.

Since 1982, The Midwife Center - originally known as BirthPlace - has provided safe, satisfying primary gynecological, prenatal, and birthing care for thousands of clients, welcomed well over 8,000 babies, and become one of the largest freestanding birth centers in the United States, as well as Western Pennsylvania's first and only licensed and freestanding birth center.

"It is a testament to the notion that dreams CAN come true."

"I am very pleased to be able to send The Midwife Center family many, many congratulations on the 40th Anniversary of what began as BirthPlace...the first out-of-hospital birthing center in Pittsburgh.

What a journey it's been...from a store front converted to a welcoming, home-like place where families could come to give birth, attended by a nurse-midwife and a nurse...to the wonderful Midwife Center for Birth & Women's Health that now exists.

It is a testament to the notion that dreams CAN come true...especially when a good idea is combined with creative, hard-working, dedicated people who believe in it and work together to foster growth and development."

-Linda Hoag, CNM, TMC's Founding Midwife

Mayor Ed Gainey speaking to Ruby Revelry attendees.

Attendees smiling and posing with photo booth props.

TMC Midwife Kara Peterson MSN, CNM

Founders of BirthPlace accepting certificates and flowers.

TMC Staff Members Destinee Ellis, J Wester, Makena Zimmerman, and Sara Cohen

Representative Emily Kinkead and Representative Sara Innamorato

TMC Nurse Shannon Williams, RN, CLC and Susan Slater

Left: Witness by Bekezela Mguni. Right: Bubbe Hannah Sandusky Portrait and Kettle.

TMC Staff photo booth picture.

Kathy Evans-Palmisano, Denise O'Connor, and Tacy Byham

Erica Biesinger, TMC's Finance Director, with her baby.

Ruby Wall with messages from attendees.

TMC Staff Members Sara Cohen and Makena Zimmerman

Founders' dedication on 10/1/22 at The Midwife Center.

Ruby Revelry Celebrated 40 Years of The Midwife Center

On September 30th, around 250 people came together at Ruby Revelry to celebrate The Midwife Center’s 40th Anniversary at The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Garden Tent. With their support, we are thrilled to share that we raised nearly $150,000 - a record - to support exceptional, client-centered care!

This special event, featured in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s SEEN column, included a dedication to the original founders of BirthPlace and Midwife Center trivia. Speakers included Lindsay Cashman, MS, Vice President of the Board of Directors, Emily McGahey, DM, MSN, CNM, FACNM, Clinical Director, Eileen Minnock, CNM one of the founding midwives of BirthPlace, and Mayor Ed Gainey.

Read more about this special event on our blog.

If you would like to honor the legacy of TMC’s founders and ensure we’re here for this generation and the next, you can make a gift here.

Ruby Revelry VIP Host Committee

As of September 15, 2022

Eileen Minnock, Chair

Dr. Janice Anderson & Pat Downey

Dr. Christine Andrews

Nancy Bernstein

Marilyn Bittel

Tacy, Carolyn, Bill, & Carter Byham

Lindsay Cashman

Alyssa Catalano

Dr. Verna Corey

Jennifer Cox-Siegel & Darren Siegel

Representative Mike Doyle

Nancy Eligator & Jonathan Rest

County Executive Rich Fitzgerald

Representative Dan Frankel

Mayor Ed Gainey

Dinnie Goldring

Sherree Goldstein

Kelsey Halling

Representative Sara Innamorato

Lynn Hyde

Representative Emily Kinkead

Dr. Marcia Klein-Patel

Michele Klingensmith

Thomas & Christine Kobus

Anne Marie Kuchera

Max & Kate Louik

Maureen Mahoney Hill

Kelly Martin

Judy & Brandon McAuley

Justin & Amber McCann

Ann McCarthy, MSN, CNM

Bryanna McDaniel

Dr. Denise McMorrow

Sara Nelis

Meagan Niebler

Denise & Robert O'Connor

Nora Peace

Cathy Raphael

Lauren Rauscher & Kerrie Kauer

Lynne Reder

Nancy Reese

Judy Ruszkowski & Ken Regal

Marie Rivera-Johnson

Cassandra Schaffer

Alicia Schisler

Sarah & Matthew Starr

Betsy & Tom Teti

Aaron Todd & Victoria Kulli

Becky Yago

From clients and their families to current and former staff to community leaders and volunteers, so many people have been a part of making The Midwife Center what it is today. If you have a story to tell about The Midwife Center, we would love to hear from you. You can fill out our google form to tell us about your positive experiences with The Midwife Center. You can also reach out to Katie Phillips at k.phillips@midwifecenter.org to share your story.

Your story may be shared in The Midwife Center's newsletter, website, and social media. We can't wait to hear from you!