Simkin Center Faculty

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. Portrait of doula expert Penny Simkin

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 & 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

Kathrin Auger, PCD(DONA), PDT(DONA), CD(DONA) LE, is a DONA International certified postpartum doula and approved postpartum doula trainer. She is also a DONA International certified birth doula and a Lactation Educator. Kathrin is Instructor for Simkin Center Postpartum Doula Skills Workshop. Read more about Kathrin.
Melinda Ferguson, CD(DONA), PCD(DONA), CBE, CLE, is a DONA International-certified birth and postpartum doula and -approved postpartum doula trainer. Melinda is Lead and Auxiliary Instructor for Simkin Center Postpartum Doula Skills Workshop. Read more about Melinda.
Angie Dobbins-Frisbie, PCD(DONA&NAPS), PDT(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.
Phyllis Klaus, MFT, LMSW is a licensed Marriage, Family, Therapist, social worker and author from the Bay Area of California. She is a Founder of DONA International and has been involved with doula and perinatal research, for the past 35 years. She consults nationally and internationally and is co-author of many books including When Survivors Give Birth (with Penny Simkin). Phyllis is an instructor for the When Survivors Give Birth Workshop. Read more about Phyllis.
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 -certified birth doula and -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 master's 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.