About the Simkin Center
The Simkin Center for Allied Birth Vocations at Bastyr University trains social, practical and clinical care providers for pregnant and new families, including:
- Birth doulas
- Postpartum doulas
(See a video documentary about birth and postpartum doulas) - Lactation consultants and educators
- Childbirth educators
A department of Bastyr's School of Natural Health Arts and Sciences, the Simkin Center also sponsors workshops that focus on essential maternity care issues, as well as pregnancy and infant massage educator certification courses. Check our course calendar.
Extraordinary Training
If you dream of serving women and families, Simkin Center delivers knowledge, tools and skills you can immediately use in your community. Simkin Center has educated, prepared and inspired more than 5,700 birth and postpartum doulas, childbirth educators, and lactation educators since its inception. It can be argued that no other organization has educated more doulas, or advanced the concept and the doula profession more successfully, than the Simkin Center.
A Legacy of Childbirth Support
Simkin Center was founded in 1988 as a program of the Seattle Midwifery School. Early graduates of the Birth Doula Workshop founded PALS Doulas, a professional organization providing peer support, continuing education, doula certification and referrals.
Using PALS Doulas organizational model, doulas around the country joined together to found DONA International. Simkin Center was the first organization to be granted DONA approval for curriculum and faculty.
Location
Simkin Center courses take place at the Bastyr University campus in Kenmore, Washington, unless otherwise noted. Student can stay on campus for a reasonable price.
Lodging
- There is a basic dorm room available on campus, steps away from your classroom. More info (pdf).
- There are many lodging options nearby the Kenmore Campus. More info (pdf)
Amenities
Our on-campus dining commons serves up delicious meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Contact Information
Email: simkincenter[at]bastyr[dot]edu
Phone: (425) 602-3378
Address:
Bastyr University, Simkin Center Director,
14500 Juanita Drive N.E.
Kenmore, WA 98028
Course Calendar - Simkin Center
Learn responsive birth support in 4 days, team-taught by world class faculty since 1988.
Learn responsive birth support in 4 days, team-taught by world class faculty since 1988.
Achieve prenatal education proficiency in 3 day low residency class, team-taught by skilled faculty since 1997.
Gain postnatal competence, tools & capacity in 4 days, team-taught by qualified faculty since 1994.
Learn responsive birth support in 4 days, team-taught by world class faculty since 1988.
Earn a Lactation Educator Certificate in 5 days, instructed by expert faculty since 2005.
Gain postnatal competence, tools & capacity in 4 days, team-taught by qualified faculty since 1994.
Learn responsive birth support in 4 days, team-taught by world class faculty since 1988.
Promote nurturing touch and communication between caregivers and infants in 4 days with AIAM experienced trainer.
Expand your massage practice with maternity specialty in 4 day course designed by distinguished author & expert Carole Osborne.
Add to your perinatal credentials & empower childbearing women in 2 days with Dancing for Birth founder.
Learn responsive birth support in 4 days, team-taught by world class faculty since 1988.
Earn a Lactation Educator Certificate in 5 days, instructed by expert faculty since 2005.
Achieve prenatal education proficiency in 3 day low residency class, team-taught by skilled faculty since 1997.
Gain postnatal competence, tools & capacity in 4 days, team-taught by qualified faculty since 1994.
Learn responsive birth support in 4 days, team-taught by world class faculty since 1988.
Learn responsive birth support in 4 days, team-taught by world class faculty since 1988.
World Class Faculty - Simkin Center
The most respected program of its type, Simkin Center is best known for its world-class faculty. Faculty members are the heart of Simkin's success and are the leaders of the modern doula movement.
Penny Simkin is the Center's namesake and senior faculty member. Penny revived the ancient art of providing continuous care in childbirth with her pioneering role in establishing the "birth doula." Penny is best known as an author, speaker, educator and key contributor to the understanding of the significance of childbirth in women's lives. Courses taught by Penny are noted on the course schedule.
Curriculum Leaders and Faculty Mentors
Margaret Bergmann-Ness, MA, LICSW, CPD(DONA) is an internationally certified birth and postpartum doula, DONA International approved postpartum doula trainer, childbirth educator, perinatal social worker and a psychotherapist in private practice. Margaret is Lead Instructor for the Simkin Center Postpartum Doula Skills Workshop. Read more about Margaret.
Carrie Kenner, CD(DONA) is an internationally certified birth doula, DONA International approved birth doula trainer and childbirth, lactation, postpartum and parenting educator. Carrie is Senior Faculty at the Simkin Center and teaches the Simkin Center Birth Doula Skills Workshop. Read more about Carrie.
Penny Simkin PT, CCE, CD(DONA) is a physical therapist, certified childbirth educator, internationally certified birth doula, DONA International birth doula trainer and DONA International Founder and Mentor. She is the author of many books and lectures internationally. Penny is Senior Faculty at the Simkin Center. She teaches the Birth Doula Skills Workshop and is Lead Instructor for the Birth Doula Trainer Course. Penny is also instructor of the When Survivors Give Birth workshop. Read more about Penny.
The Simkin Center Faculty
Melinda Ferguson CD(DONA), PCD(DONA), CBE, CLE is a DONA International certified birth and postpartum doula and an approved postpartum doula trainer. Melinda is Lead and Auxiliary Instructor for Simkin Center Postpartum Doula Skills Workshop. Read more about Melinda.
Angie Dobbins-Frisbie, PDT(DONA), PCD(NAPS&DONA), CD(PALS), ICCE, BFWM, LE is a DONA International certfied postpartum doula and approved postpartum doula trainer. She is also a PALS Doulas certified birth doula, an internationally certified childbirth educator, Birthing From Within Mentor, and a Lactation Educator. Angie is Lead and Auxiliary Instructor for Simkin Center Postpartum Doula Skills Workshop. Read more about Angie.
Kim James, CD(DONA, PALS), ICCE, LCCE is an internationally approved birth doula, DONA International approved birth doula trainer and an internationally certified childbirth educator. Kim serves as the WA State DONA International representative. Kim is Lead and Auxiliary Instructor for the Simkin Center Birth Doula Skills Workshop. Read more about Kim.
Sharon Muza, CD(DONA, PALS), LCCE is a DONA International certified birth doula and approved birth doula trainer. Sharon is also an internationally certified childbirth educator. Active on the board of several local birth organizations, Sharon teaches independently in Seattle. She is Lead and Auxiliary Instructor for the Simkin Center Birth Doula Skills Workshop. Read more about Sharon.
Jenna Noelke CD(DONA, PALS) is a DONA International certified birth doula and an approved birth doula trainer. She is also an internationally certified childbirth educator. She is Lead and Auxiliary Instructor for the Simkin Center Birth Doula Skills Workshop. Read more about Jenna.
Joni Parthemer MEd, ICCE, CGE is an internationally certified childbirth educator. She serves as the Education Director and Master Trainer for the Bringing Baby Home Program at the Relationship Research Institute and as educational consultant to a number or organizations. Joni is a instructor for the Simkin Center Childbirth Educator Training. Read more about Joni.
Molly Pessl BSN, IBCLC, is a registered nurse, childbirth educator and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She serves as the director of Evergreen Perinatal Education and teaches internationally. Molly is Lead Instructor for the Simkin Center Professional Education in Breastfeeding and Lactation Course. Read more about Molly.
Teri Shilling MS, CD(DONA), IBCLC, LCCE, FACCE is an internationally certified birth doula, a DONA International approved birth doula trainer, an internationally certified childbirth educator, and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Teri is Lead and Auxiliary Instructor for the Simkin Center Birth Doula Skills Workshop. Read more about Teri.
Ginna Wall MN, RN, IBCLC is a masters prepared nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Ginna founded the lactation program at the UW Medical Center and serves as its coordinator. She is also on the faculty of Evergreen Perinatal Education. Ginna is Auxiliary Instructor for the Simkin Center Professional Education in Breastfeeding and Lactation Course. Read more about Ginna.
Marie McCarter Witherell RN, ICCE, IBCLC is a nurse, internationally certified childbirth educator and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She currently serves as lactation consultant at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center. Marie is Auxiliary Instructor for the Simkin Center Professional Education in Breastfeeding and Lactation Course. Read more about Marie.
What is a Doula?
Doula (doo’-luh) is a Greek word referring to an experienced woman who helps other women. Today the word is used to refer to a trained person (usually a woman) who provides physical, emotional, and informational support to women and families during and after childbirth. The Simkin Center trains two types of doulas: birth doulas and postpartum doulas.
Birth Doulas
A birth doula assists the pregnant woman and her family in preparing and carrying out their birth plans. She stays with the laboring mother throughout the entire birth process, providing emotional and physical support and an objective viewpoint. She helps her clients get the information they need to make informed decisions.
The birth doula recognizes childbirth as a transformative life experience. Her primary objective is to nurture and protect a woman’s memory of her birth experience.
Postpartum Doulas
The "fourth trimester," the period following birth, is often the most challenging and overlooked period in the transition to parenthood. Many new families in our society lack the continuity of care they need following the birth of their baby.
The postpartum doula helps meet this need by educating, nurturing, and empowering mothers and families towards confidence in their new roles. Doulas may provide assistance with breastfeeding, newborn and mother care, and housework. They also provide referrals to community resources as needed.
What is a Childbirth Educator?
Childbirth educators provide information and training to expectant parents in preparing for labor, birth, and the postpartum period. They may work independently, for a private organization, or for a hospital or maternity care provider.
Childbirth education classes typically include information on late pregnancy, labor, breastfeeding, postpartum, and newborn care. Childbirth educators also guide expectant parents in the practice of relaxation, breathing techniques, and comfort measures for labor.
Professional Education in Breastfeeding and Lactation
Make a difference in the health of mothers and infants and add to your professional credentials through Professional Education in Breastfeeding and Lactation (PEBL). This is a comprehensive five-day course taught by expert, board-certified lactation consultants. PEBL provides you with the first 37.5 foundation hours for the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) certification exam. To learn more about becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant please visit the International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant Examiners' website.
This course is designed for health care providers and lay people who want to provide accurate, current and consistent information about breastfeeding and lactation to expectant and new families. Content is based on current research as it applies to best practice issues in the clinical setting. In addition to attending all lectures, students complete a written study guide and outline a project of their choice.
Completion of PEBL provides a Lactation Educator Certificate.
This course is for:
- midwives and midwifery students
- birth and postpartum doulas
- childbirth educators
- maternity or pediatric nurses
- obstetricians, pediatricians or family physicians
- WIC staff
- early parenting educators
- perinatal social workers
- Early Headstart staff
- La Leche League leaders who want updates and new scientific resources
- public health nurses or staff working with new families
- occupational or respiratory therapists working with breastfeeding newborns
- dieticians serving pregnant women, new mothers and their babies
- preparation for re-certification
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
CEUs are approved from:
- International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners, Inc. CLT108-4 35.5 L CERPs, 2 E CERPs
- American Dietetic Association (Category II) 37 CPE Hours
- California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider No. CEP14127 45 contact Hour
Simkin Center Leadership Fund Scholarships
Goal
The Goal of Simkin Center Leadership Fund (SCLF) scholarship program is to provide tuition reduction support to emerging leaders in the Allied Birth Vocations
Intent
The SCLF is a merit scholarship with the intent to increase the number of childbirth professionals with the desire, knowledge, skill and community membership or involvement to practice successfully in underserved ethnic, cultural, socio-economic and geographic communities.
Fund Awards
The SCLF offers a partial tuition waiver (reduction in tuition amount) for applicants who meet or exceed the criteria and show exceptional merit. Awards are made in the form of reduced tuition, (not cash), and are generally $100-200 range. Funds are limited. There are normally one to three awards made per course section. Early applications are encouraged.
Criteria
First consideration is given to applicants who wish to, or already offer, birth support services in underserved communities and who display the skills and connections needed to serve women and families in those communities. Applicants must be able to demonstrate their connection with social services or other networks within the community. Financial need may also be considered.
Application Process
SCLF is administered by the Simkin Center. Applications are reviewed and award decisions made by the Director.
Deadline
- Your application must be received at least thirty (30) days before the first day of the class section you wish to attend.
- No late applications will be accepted, though you may request it be considered for a future course date.
- Applications may be sent by email to simkincenter[at]bastyr[dot]edu or by mail to:
Director, Simkin Center at Bastyr University
14500 Juanita Drive N.E.
Kenmore, WA 98028 - Applications will not be considered until both letters of reference have been received. It is your responsibility to assure these have been received by the Simkin Center.
Forms
- Application form
- Two letters of reference. Letter should address the criteria above. Professional references are encouraged, though personal references are acceptable. Letters of reference can be emailed or mailed separate from your application or be included.
Award Notification
- SCLF Applicants will be notified by email of award status at least two weeks before the first day of the course. In most cases we'll try and let you know sooner.
Acceptance of Award
- As our funds are limited, please notify us of your award acceptance as soon as possible. If you can't join us, we can make awards to students who are able to attend.
- Balance due, minus the award amount, must be received soon after your award acceptance. Contact us if this is an issue for you.
- Pay your balance by credit card over the phone or arrange to mail or deliver a check.
- Simkin Center cancellation and refund policy applies to SCLF award recipients.
Registration, Cancellation & Refund Information - Simkin Classes
Registration & Payment
You may register online or over the phone at (425) 602-3361 or by mail. Full payment in U.S. dollars must accompany your registration.
Simkin Center Cancellation, Transfer & Refund Policy
In order to be considered, we must receive your cancellation, transfer or refund request in writing (email is fine). Requests must be received at least thirty (30) calendar days before the first day of the course, and there is a $100 processing fee. Only one transfer per calendar year is permitted. No refunds or transfers are granted with less than thirty (30) calendar days written notice. Returned checks will be assessed a $28 fee. No refunds are made for any missed portions of a course, and student will not receive a certificate of completion. It may be possible to make up missed portions of a course for an additional fee of $75/day. Contact us to explore that option. Simkin Center reserves the right to cancel courses with insufficient enrollment, in which case a full refund will be granted.