This summer Clinical Midwifery Director Sarah Dumas celebrates 10 years at Women’s Birth & Wellness Center. A second-generation midwife, Sarah joined WBWC in 2007 after completing her Master’s Degree at the University of New Mexico’s nurse midwifery program.

“I met Maureen at a midwifery convention and we hit it off,” said Sarah Dumas, CNM. “I loved the idea of a birth center outside of a hospital. The only time I had seen it was my cousin’s birth at birth center.”

Sarah grew up in an army family living in Germany, Kentucky and Washington, D.C. She met her husband Jed through birth – she caught his aunt’s baby. They now have an 18-month-old son.

“I’m not sure Sarah realizes how much strength and confidence, as well as compassion and softness she exudes, and I’m always so amazed and in awe of it,” said Mariah Velazquez, CNM at WBWC. “You can see in every part of her that she truly cares about her patients, her fellow midwives, the students she works with, as well as herself as a midwife, woman. She has been involved with so many aspects of my growing as a student midwife and as a midwife and I appreciate it immensely. I feel like I have learned so much from her and have so much more that I am yet to learn from her.”

Sarah embodies the meaning of midwife, which means “with woman.”

“Sarah caught my 10lb 5oz stubborn and posterior son. I never once felt like I was alone through my long, intense labor,” said Ariel Walker, WBWC mom. “I wish every woman could have a midwife like Sarah.”

At WBWC we value family-centered birth and Sarah has helped many patients and their families feel supported through pregnancy and childbirth.

“Sarah was reassuring and calm, but her experience and knowledge made us all feel protected and safe during this process,” said Laura Ratcliffe Walker, grandmother of a WBWC baby. “She is the epitome of a quiet, caring professional. Sarah’s expertise made our grandson’s entry safe and loving.”

Sarah’s strong, comforting presence is a gift to all mothers at WBWC.

“I’ll never forget Sarah’s reassuring touch and graceful, calm presence throughout my first labor,” said Shannon Ritchie, WBWC mom. “During those ‘oh my, I don’t know if I can do this’ moments all it took was looking at Sarah and I knew I could and was in capable hands.”

As Clinical Director of Midwifery at WBWC, Sarah is a teacher and leader at WBWC.

“Just saying her name makes me feel protected, understood, appreciated, and necessary,” said Belinda Lashea, CNM at WBWC. “She and I share a love of taking care of other midwives, of providing healing for the healer. That is the gift that Sarah gives to us at WBWC – she is OUR midwife. She holds the space for us, stands guard over us, all while pushing us to grow and adapt because she believes in each one of us and what we bring to the sisterhood. She is a thoughtful leader, compassionate and fearless at the same time. You know she has your back, there is security in being one of her people.”

Thank you for your 10 years of service, Sarah. We are so grateful for you.