Meet the Midwives
Sylvia Fedyk
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Sylvia has worked as a midwife since January of 1998 when she was part of the first wave of Registered Midwives to practice in BC. It was the birth of her fifth child that inspired Sylvia to become a midwife and she used a complicated sixth pregnancy with bed-rest to upgrade her science courses in preparation for a midwifery education. As part of the first group of registered midwives in the province, Sylvia worked hard for recognition and integration of midwifery as a health profession. Sylvia was privileged to begin her career with Jean Cooper, a founding BC midwife who established the original Ridge Meadows Midwifery Practice (RMMP). Sylvia continued that practice with an ever-growing cast of midwives after Jean’s untimely death and helped it evolve into Transitions Midwifery with service focused in Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and Tri-Cities. Sylvia enjoys her role as an Associate Clinical Professor for UBC’s Midwifery Program and has served as Past President of the College of Midwives of BC and as Division Head of Midwifery in the Fraser Health Authority. When not working, she treasures time with her family of eight adult children and their partners and one treasured grandchild, travel adventures with her husband, and playing Dungeons and Dragons. Sylvia will be forever grateful for the sacrifices her family made–and still makes—for her to indulge her love of this profession and extends grateful thanks to all the mentor midwives who taught her and inspired her.
Erin Pendziwol
Erin was born and raised in Northern Ontario and received her Honours Bachelor of Health Science, Midwifery, from Laurentian University in 2014. She was exposed to midwifery care at a young age when a midwife attended her brother’s home birth, but it was a six-month family backpacking trip through South America as a teen that first developed her passion for women’s health and the importance of safe, accessible maternal care. During her post-secondary studies, she had the opportunity to train at both rural and urban practices in northern and southern Ontario and spent a month working in Tanzania, Africa, providing midwifery care and helping assess the need for a rural birth clinic. After graduating, the sense of adventure drew Erin to accept a position with Transitions Midwifery in Maple Ridge, BC,. Erin has been practicing in the community since 2014 where she has cared for hundreds of clients and their families. When not on call Erin enjoys hiking, camping and snuggling up with her Fiance and fur-babies.
Beauty{Full} Moments Photography
Julia Homer
Hello, I am Julia and I am thrilled to be joining Transitions Midwifery team. Thank-you for allowing me to join you on your journey through pregnancy, birth and beyond. I have had many amazing experiences and have worked in Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby and New West.
I was first introduced to Midwifery care shortly after it was regulated in British Columbia, in year 2000. My experience as a young mother and having a Midwife sparked an interest in working with pregnant people. I was mentored by a doula, who inspired me to take the Doula Program at Douglas College. I attended births and taught prenatal classes to young parents.
In 2009, I became a Licensed Practical Nurse; a decision that has brought many wonderful opportunities. I had a chance to look at healthcare from a global perspective and was invited to be part of an evaluation of Harm Reduction Programs for the international HIV/AIDS Alliance in Ukraine. I have worked in Primary Care Community Health Clinics, homecare and outreach nursing for the last 10 years. I also spent many years invested in research both in partnership with UBC and the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS.
I grew up on Vancouver Island and have lived in Vancouver for the last twenty years. I love music, dance, yoga and travelling and hiking with my family. I have had two more children since I started my midwifery training, whom are now 3 and 4 years old. I am looking forward to working with the Transitions Midwifery team supporting families through pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
Denise Nyce
I would like to introduce myself as the newest team member of Transitions Midwifery. I have recently completed my training with the UBC Midwifery Program in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and I am ready to support families in their special time of pregnancy and birth. The world is still turning, and babies are still being born every day. I have recently relocated to Maple Ridge from the Okanagan Valley with my family, where I have been welcomed by the warm hospitality of this community.
As a mother of three children, I have personally experienced what it feels like to feel heard and supported by a care provider. I endeavour to support all families under my care with evidence-based, relationship-centered, and autonomous maternity care. Childbirth is a very emotional, personal and profound experience, which is why I feel so blessed to be part of the profession of Midwifery. Every family that I have the honour of serving is an absolute pleasure. Midwifery is an intrinsic part of who I am.
I have had a myriad of clinical experiences in my training, which have prepared me for midwifery practice within the inter-professional team dynamics. I have enjoyed both urban and rural community midwifery and have learned to adapt to each community’s unique needs and community standards.
I feel so much gratitude to Transitions Midwifery for welcoming me to the team, and I am also thankful for the families that will be sharing this special time in their lives with me. I will honour your experience with pregnancy and birth and hope that you feel well looked after.
