Midwives
BEA ROWELL, RM., LM., CPM.

Berenice (Bea) Rowell, RM., LM., CPM.

OWNER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Born and raised in England, UK., I had always dreamed of being a midwife but it wasn’t until 2002, after 2 disappointing birth experiences, that I went ahead with the dream. I completed my Midwifery Degree with Bournemouth University and worked with a hospital/home birth team before coming to Tampa to join the Labor of Love family in December 2006.

As much as all pregnancy/labor/birth care is given by midwives in the UK I still found the hospital protocols too constricting to enable me to fully support the pregnant/laboring woman in what can be the most vulnerable time of their lives. I wanted to empower women and have them be in charge of their own informed choices as to how they bring their children in to this world. Practicing in the Birth Center environment, I am able to discuss with families their choices and plans and expect to support and fulfill their wishes.

Having proudly served our families, 24/7, for more than 12 years, I am now happy to be taking a step back from clinical practice to focus more on the administrative level and make space for the younger midwives to stamp their mark 🙂

Michelle Ruffalo, LM., CPM.

Michelle Ruffalo, LM., CPM.

CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Hi my name is Michelle and I have been with LOL since 2012. Birth without Violence by Frederick Leboyer was the first natural birth book I ever read and I have been hooked ever since. I started my journey in 2004, first as a Doula, Childbirth Educator and Hypnobirth Instructor. When I turned 40 in 2007 – I changed my life path and went to Midwifery School, it was the best decision I have ever made! I graduated from The Florida School of Traditional Midwifery in 2010 and haven’t looked back since! I believe that every woman has the power within herself to birth her baby the way she wants, we follow the Midwifery Model of Care and one day it will be the standard of care for all women. Once you walk in the doors of LOL you become apart of our family – we are here to guide and support you through one of the most amazing times in your lives. I am blessed to have a very loving and supportive family and without their love and support I never would have been able to achieve my dreams. I look forward to meeting you.

cori-lynn-duarte

Cori Lynn Duarte, LM., CPM.

MIDWIFE

Cori Lynn Duarte, was born and raised in Tampa, Florida, and has been passionate about women’s reproductive health since she can remember. A graduate from The University of South Florida with a BS in Social and Behavioral Health Sciences, she has studied the trends for maternal and fetal health extensively. In 2014, she began attending The Florida School of Traditional Midwifery, and has since graduated. Joining the Labor of Love team as a first year midwifery student, she learned how to give compassionate and competent care, and has worked there ever since! Cori is very excited to be working as a full time licensed midwife with Labor of Love Birth Center.
Midwife Courtney

COURTNEY HILLIARD, LM., CPM.

MIDWIFE

My name is Courtney Hilliard. I have been passionate about maternal health since a little girl. I am a graduate of The University of Florida with a Bachelors in Women’s Health. I initially started as a neuroscience major and took a course in women’s studies that covered birth in different countries, which highlighted out of hospital birth. This peaked my interest in maternal health again. I began researching perinatal care in the US and was horrified by the statistics. In that research I found the midwifery school a few blocks away from UF’s campus! I graduated from The Florida School of Traditional Midwifery in 2014. I took a small break to “live a little” and now I am excited to be back in the birthing community, providing care to women and their families.

Labor of Love

DEVIN COLLAR, LM, CPM.

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