Syrah
Nicaisse
RN/CNM/CNM/DNP/ USAF NC
An OR Tech for 5 years with extensive experience. Joined the Air Force and worked as a perinatal nurse for 2 years and midwifery school at Old Dominion University and Shenandoah University, while active military. An Air Force CNM since 2010, working in the US, Germany, and Afghanistan. A Doctorate in Nursing Practice from The Ohio State University.
I’ve known that I wanted to be a midwife since I was 17 years old, volunteering on a labor and delivery unit that my mother worked on. My path has been an adventurous and rather curvy one, starting in the Army. I was an OR tech for 5 years while working my way through nursing school. I have extensive experience and comfort in the Operating Room and gratitude and respect when it is needed. After nursing school, I joined the Air Force and worked as a perinatal nurse for 2 years. I then went to Midwifery School (while still serving in the Air Force) at Old Dominion University and Shenandoah University. I’ve been a CNM in the Air Force since 2010, working in such locations as Virginia, Germany, Afghanistan, and Ohio. I received my Doctorate in Nursing Practice from The Ohio State University. I am the Mother of 5 amazing kiddos. I love to hike, garden, cook bake, and work with my hands. I am passionate about empowering mothers, teaching, improving access to skilled birth attendants (both in the US and Internationally), and reducing health disparities. I am humbled and honored to be on this journey with you.
Meghan Nowland
Founder/ CEO
Founder and Administrator of the Cincinnati Birth Center and experienced midwife, doula, and lactation consultant, Meghan Nowland brings expertise and a confidently calm energy to her clinical approach for clients across the local Cincinnati area since 2014 and in Kentucky since 2020.
“I grew up as the fifth child in a family of fourteen, and have always been around babies and loved them. In 2010 I caught my niece at my sister’s home birth in Virginia, which led me down the path of becoming a birth doula and midwife. I have a bachelor’s degree in midwifery from the Midwives College of Utah and moved to Cincinnati with a passion to improve Ohio’s maternity care. I regularly volunteer teaching community childbirth education classes and for the Kentucky Home Birth Coalition, and am a founder of Ohio’s chapter of National Association of Certified Professional Midwives. Before moving to Ohio I lived in San Antonio Texas for two years and worked at Birth Center Stone Oak and with home birth midwives Robin Rabenschlag, Julie Hatfield, and Janet Dirmeyer. I earned my CPM certification in 2014, and have been practicing as a home birth midwife ever since. In 2017 I became certified as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Most recently I’ve been involved with legislative efforts to increase access to midwives and serving on the Kentucky Midwives Advisory Council, creating regulations for licensure of CPMs. In August 2020 I became the first Certified Professional Midwife to become licensed in the state of Kentucky!“
India Stringer
Student Midwife
India Stringer is working with the Cincinnati Birth Center as a Birth Assistant and student midwife. She is also studying for a bachelor’s degree in finance at Northern Kentucky University.
“I attended my first birth in 2018 and started working as a birth assistant in 2020. Personal autonomy is very important to me. I love to provide well rounded resources and knowledge to our families and see them take an active role in their care. My favorite thing about midwifery is the comfort and ability to have a baby in the safety of your own home.”
Luke Armbruster
Director of Operations & Marketing
Luke is our Director of Marketing and Operations here at the Cincinnati Birth Center. He has a degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati and has experience with company process implementation. Luke has worked behind the scenes for small businesses, real estate teams, and IT recruitment. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his dog Henry and being around friends and family.
“I am honored to be a part of a place like the Cincinnati Birth Center that focuses on personal, family, and community growth. Our mission is to have everyone who enters our doors feel welcomed, and that is what is being done. We, as a whole, give back so others can begin the next chapter of their lives with their best foot forward. I cannot think of a better reason to be a part of such a great team.”
Nicole Manning
Administrative Assistant
Nicole has a graduate from the University of Cincinnati with a bachelor’s degree in medical science and minors in integrative health and psychology. During her senior year of college, she was given the opportunity to be an intern for the Cincinnati Birth Center. From there she became extremely interested in birth work and did not want my time with the CBC to end with my graduation. She stayed connected with our team and was brought on as the administrative assistant!
“ I love interacting with our current clients, helping prospective clients on board with us, and answering all questions people have for us. I am so grateful to have a helping hand in facilitating a positive birthing experience for anyone who comes into our practice.”
Siobhan McNear
Education & Outreach Coordinator
Siobhan McNear is our Outreach and Education Coordinator here at the Safer Birth Foundation. Born and Raised in Cincinnati, Ohio with over 20 years of Performance and Production experience. As a graduate of the School for Creative and Performing Arts, Siobhan is a Fine Arts creative with a vast background in music, TV, film, and community service. With performances at The White House, and The Ellen Degeneres Show to name a few, Siobhan has reached the masses with her talent and now reaching the community of her hometown. Siobhan holds a Masters Degree in Entertainment Business. With her natural leadership skills, Siobhan brings a creative spark to Outreach and Education.
