Dorinda Dove CNM, MS

With more than forty years experience working as a nurse and a midwife in hospital and birthing center environments, Dorinda’s gentle and thoughtful manner inspires confidence in birthing families. As OB/Gyn faculty, she taught at Baylor College of Medicine. She graduated summa cum laude with a BSN from the University of Delaware and was awarded a MS in Nurse Midwifery at SUNY Stonybrook.

As part of her graduate work, Dorinda published the results of a research study on the efficacy of using Evening Primrose Oil during pregnancy. Dorinda also worked with the Peace Corps helping to implement and evaluate the oral rehydration program for children in Malawi, Africa. She joined The Birth Center in 1995. Dorinda is still very much working even though she has retired from catching babies.

Dorinda says, “I love sharing the joy and excitement of an expectant family and feel it’s a privilege to be a part of their experience here.”

Julia Paulus DNP, CNM

(Co-Owner)

Julia came to Delaware to attend the University of Delaware and never left! She graduated with her Bachelor Degree in Nursing from the University of Delaware and then received her Master of Science in Nurse-Midwifery and her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Frontier Nursing University.

Starting in middle school, Julia knew she wanted to care for women during labor and birth. That desire eventually morphed into a strong calling to midwifery. While at UD, she sought GYN care  at The Birth Center and instantly fell in love with the care that TBC provides. Julia and her husband have now welcomed three babies at The Birth Center! In her free time, she loves to spend time with her family, drink hot tea, and sew.

Julia is so excited to be a part of the The Birth Center family as a Certified Nurse Midwife and is passionate about family-centered care that focuses on empowering the birthing person to be an active participant in their health care decisions.

Shanica McIntosh MSN, CNM

A native of Wilmington, DE, Shanica is thrilled to be providing care within the community that raised her. As a recent graduate of Frontier Nursing University, Shanica brings a unique perspective to the Midwifery team, shaped by nine years of diverse nursing experience. Having spent the bulk of her nursing career working in the Emergency Department, she is well versed at navigating complex care with compassion and precision. Today, she blends that clinical expertise with a passion for personalized, patient-centered birth experiences. While she loves the magic of the birth room, Shanica is equally passionate about providing comprehensive gynecological and wellness care. She believes in supporting her patients through every stage of life, ensuring that every person feels safe, heard, and empowered in their healthcare choices.

Madison Reese, MSN, CNM

Maddie’s (she/her) path to midwifery started the moment she witnessed her first birth in nursing school. After working in ER nursing and then as a labor & postpartum nurse, she went back to school for her MSN at Texas Tech to become a midwife. Over the past 5 years, she’s provided prenatal, postpartum and gynecologic care for every stage of life, from pregnancy, to routine exams through menopause, and is proud to offer inclusive, trauma-informed care to patients of all backgrounds and identities. She is passionate about lifelong learning and making sure every patient feels truly heard and seen. Maddie was born and raised across the state line in Cecil County, Maryland, where she’s now raising her two daughters with her husband of 10+ years (and their senior dog!). She is thrilled to be joining the incredible team at The Birth Center. 

Essence Sutherland, CNM, APRN, MSN, CBC, LCCE

Passionate about midwifery and maternal child health education, Essence Sutherland has  been working in the field of maternity for over twenty-three years. Essence is a Licensed Board Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) and an Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner (APRN). She  recently graduated and earned her Post-Master’s Certificate from Baystate Medical Center  Midwifery Education Program in May 2022. As a graduate of Frontier Nursing University’s  CNEP Program, Essence received her MSN in October 2018 with a concentration in Nurse Midwifery. Essence is a graduate of Temple University’s Accelerated Second Degree BSN  Program earning her BSN in 2009. She is also a graduate of Haverford College and received her  BA in religion and women’s studies with a concentration in Africana studies in 2004.  

Essence currently works as Certified Nurse-Midwife Fellow at The Birth Center– Emerald Midwifery Consulting, LLC. Essence is also a part-time Adjunct Faculty Instructor in  the Nursing Department at Delaware State University where she educates, precepts and mentors  Junior and Senior nursing students and pre-nursing students in the academy. Essence completed  her Doula training at the University of Pennsylvania and has served as a Doula for the  Philadelphia Alliance for Labor Support (PALS).  

Essence is a member of the National Black Midwives Alliance (NBMA), the South  Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA), American  College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), Midwives of Color Committee (MOCC) and Association  of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) and a former member of AWHONN’s Editorial Advisory Board. She has also been inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau  International Honor Society of Nursing. Essence is a nurse mentor and member of the  Pennsylvania Action Coalition Nurse Diversity Council Mentorship Program and the Macy  Leadership Fellows Mentorship Program affiliated with Drexel University. Essence finds joy in  mentoring and empowering nursing and midwifery students throughout the Tri-State area. She continues to attend program meetings and support midwives, nurses and other birth workers in  the underserved community. Essence loves traveling, jet skiing and collecting mom-baby  artwork and she currently lives in the suburbs of Pennsylvania with her husband, daughter and her  Staffordshire Terrier.

Jennay Peterson CNM, IBCLC

Jennay Peterson joined The Birth Center in June 2026. Her passion for midwifery began at the age of 16, when she started working as a birth and postpartum doula and volunteered with Lifecycle. After earning her nursing degree, she spent six years practicing as a registered nurse before becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She then worked as an IBCLC for five years, supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.

Jennay went on to earn her midwifery degree from Frontier Nursing University. As a midwife, she values the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with the women and families she serves, providing personalized support throughout their pregnancy and birth journey. She believes midwifery is truly a labor of love.

Jennay was drawn to The Birth Center because of its commitment to encouraging, educating, and empowering parents. She is excited to be part of such a supportive team and is honored to help families welcome new life with compassionate, evidence-based care.

Laurel Miller MSN, CNM  

Laurel, a Delaware native, has been practicing as a midwife since 2010.  The large majority of her deliveries at Kent General Hospital with Dr. Nasareen Khan and Dedicated to Women.  Laurel’s first experience with birth actually started at the Birth Center during a rotation in nursing school at University of Delaware and then again as a midwife student with the University of Pennsylvania.  “My first birth I was a part of happened in the Blue Room.  It was a huge family affair with all the siblings, the baby’s aunt and cousin too”.  Laurel’s second daughter was born at the Birth Center with her husband and older daughter, 3 years old at the time, in attendance.  

“I feel like I am coming home.  I spent many years practicing midwifery in practices and hospitals that were managed by physicians.  What I have learned is that all women deserve good midwifery focused care.  It feels good to come to a place that values the holistic nature of care.  We are not just here to give good prenatal care or an unmedicated birth; we are here guiding women on a journey of good health.  I take the meaning of midwife, with women, literally.  When I am with them for a visit or in labor, my focus must be with them.  What are they saying, what is my exam telling me?  If I keep my focus on being with them, we can work together to find the best possible outcomes.  I am so excited to be here where I can be the midwife I always have been in a setting that shares my same values.”

Laurel enjoys time spent raising her daughters, tending to her garden, and crafting (mostly crochet and sewing). 

Sarah-Grace Webster MSN, CNM, WHNP-BC

Sarah-Grace has loved caring for and helping women with their health and pregnancy since she was in high school. She graduated with her Bachelor’s in nursing from Messiah College, and worked as a nurse for 5 years. She first worked as an ICU nurse, than spent several years as a labor and delivery nurse in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Sarah-Grace then went on to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania as a Certified Nurse Midwife and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. She loves to travel and has been to Guatemala, Belize, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Portugal and many different places across the United States. Sarah-Grace says, “The Birth Center feels like home to me and I am very excited to work here!”

Dawn Moore MSN, CNM, WHNP, PMHNP

Esther Cragg MSN, CNM

Esther joined The Birth Center in November 2022 as a Registered Nurse and is grateful to now care for families in her role as a Certified Nurse Midwife. Her journey in maternity care began at MedStar Franklin Square in Rosedale, Maryland, where she worked as a labor and delivery nurse and discovered how meaningful it was to support families during birth. She earned her RN from Cecil College in 2020, completed her BSN at Wilmington University in 2022, and graduated from Frontier Nursing University’s Nurse-Midwifery program in 2025.

Esther’s approach to midwifery is grounded in compassion, attentive listening, and evidence-based care. She values building genuine relationships with the families she serves and feels honored to walk alongside them through pregnancy and the postpartum period. Being present for these intimate and transformative moments is one of her greatest privileges.

Esther lives in Maryland with her husband, their dog Jethro, and their cat Jinora. Outside of her work, she enjoys camping, traveling, puzzles, photography, and spending time with friends and family. She also trains in Taekwondo and is proud to have earned a black belt!

Allison Butler MSN, CNM  

Allison grew up in Maryland and has always been fascinated by the mystery and magic of bodies. In retrospect, everyone should have realized she might go into birthwork when, at five years old, she spent over 10 hours sitting with a laboring cow and helping to feed the newborn calf. After completing an undergraduate degree in journalism; political science; and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies she worked in reproductive justice and health advocacy. After starting work at a reproductive health clinic, she fell in love with direct care – specifically holistic, patient-centered, trauma-informed care, which to her, is the essence of midwifery. She attended Yale School of Nursing to obtain her MSN in their midwifery and women’s health nurse practitioner program as well as a concentration in Gender and Sexuality Health Justice. She has also worked as a facilitator for lifespan sexuality education and is a member of Nurses for Sexual and Reproductive Health. Outside of work, Allison enjoys baking, hiking, and snuggling with her dog, Bug. 

Danielle Melican MSN, CNM, RNC-OB, C-EFM  

Danielle has lived in the same quaint central NJ town her whole life.  First growing up, then raising a family, and now watching her granddaughters enjoy what small town life is about.  Danielle has worked in women’s healthcare for over twenty years, first as nurse and then as a midwife.  Danielle has served birthing families in their homes, in free standing birth centers, in alongside midwifery units, as well as in traditional hospital labor and delivery units.  After her own birth experiences left her feeling silenced and marginalized Danielle set out on a mission to do better by birthing families.  She earned an Associate’s degree at Burlington County College, and went on to earn Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Nursing from The George Washington University in Washington, DC. She earned her post-master’s certificate in Nurse-Midwifery from Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia. Danielle is passionate about promoting autonomy and a shared-decision model of care for her patients. She is a strong advocate for those desiring a natural approach to labor and birth. She is committed to the community birth model believing that every birthing family deserves to have a choice where to bring their baby into the world free from violence and coercion.  Danielle and her husband enjoy spending time with their five children, three grandchildren, and always have a trip in the works, feel free to ask her where she’s off to next. Danielle is excited to join the team and TBC and help support and empower all people who are seeking midwifery care.