Stephanie Palacio, APRN, CNM
Stephanie is the owner and a practicing midwife at Bay Area Community Birth Center. Her goals are to create birth experiences rooted in empowerment and justice, as well as help the Midwifery profession grow. Midwifery is one of the oldest professions and can be found in the book of Genesis of the Bible.
Stephanie’s journey to become a midwife was long, but fulfilling. In 1992 she decided she wanted to become a midwife; and saw herself working to help empower women. Stephanie recognized that skillful midwives work to strengthen family bonds and sisterhood ties. It took her seven and a half years of school and 18 years of working as a Registered Nurse (in ICU and L & D), but eventually she received her certification as a Certified Nurse Midwife in 2014. She is confident that the skills she obtained on her journey to midwifery has made her a better practitioner.
Education:
Associate Degree in Nursing 1996
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing 2007
Master’s Degree in Nursing 2013
License:
Registered Nurse 1996, California
Registered Nurse 2002, Texas
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse 2014, Texas
Certifications:
Inpatient Obstetric Nursing 2008
Certified Nurse Midwife 2014
Frances Jones-Coleman, MPH, LM, CPM
Frances is a wife and mother of three children. She understands the intricate dynamics of family and the role it plays in childbirth. She has focused her caereer on improving women’s health. Frances has been an Educator in the field of Women’s Health for 12 years. She has worked with nonprofit and grassroot organizations, creating programs and educating new families.
Those companies Include:
- Healthy Start (1 year)
- Texas Children’s Hospital (8 years)
- The Women’s Hospital of Texas (5 years)
Frances is a Licensed Midwife through the State of Texas and received her certification through NARM. She trained as a midwife for two years through a direct entry program. Frances has had the opportunity to work with three local midwives where she learned the history, art, and science of midwifery. She was involved in the daily workings of the birth centers and part of more than 50 births. Frances is currently employed at Bay Area Community Birth Center, but maintains a small home birth practice.
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Trevecca Nazarene University, Nashville, TN
Master’s degree in Public Health/Women’s Health from Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
License:
Licensed Midwife 2019, Texas
Certifications:
Certified Professional Midwife, 2019
Certified Lamaze Childbirth Educator
Certified to teach Infant CPR, Newborn care and Car Seat Installation
Trained and worked as a Doula (CAPPA)