About the
Tampa Bay Birth Network!
In May of 2008, a group of Tampa Bay birth professionals launched the area's first-ever birth network, the Tampa Bay Birth Network. Since that time, nearly 60 birth professionals have joined our network so they could provide more resources for their students, clients and patients. Also during that time, hundreds of new and expectant parents have attended our educational monthly meetings and special events, including the area's first ever Natural Birth and Baby Expo. The TBBN's Mission and Principles promise to offer educational materials to new and expectant parents who are interested in a more natural approach to pregnancy and parenting.
An exciting development in our on-going growth came in April of 2009 when the TBBN became a Florida not-for-profit corporation, and soon after applied to the IRS to be certified as a 501(c)(3) organization. That will enable us to apply for grants that can help us offer even more educational programs for pregnant and new parents in the Tampa Bay area.
Board of Directors:
President: June Connell, ICCE A Natural Childbirth Educator and mother of two sons, June Connell is one of the original co-founders of the Tampa Bay Birth Network. She is passionate about educating expectant parents so they can make informed decisions about their pregnancy and birth. Certified by the International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA), June created Happy Birth Way, LLC, which offers expectant couples unique six-week and one-day group classes. In addition to customized private classes, she also teaches online and by phone. June is the childbirth educator at Breath of Life Birth Center in Largo and is a member of the ICEA, the American Pregnancy Association and ICAN. June works on a communications committee for the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS).First Vice President:Kathy Gardner is a Certified Nurse-Midwife in Palm Harbor, FL. She hasattended over 2000 births in her career. Kathy cares deeply that each family isable to have a great birth experience where they feel listened to and supported. Kathy recognizes that the Tampa Bay Birth network provides parents with linksto professionals that also share her philosophy for family-centered care including natural birth. Kathy is also certified to mentor Birthing From Within childbirth classes. She brings the Birthing From Within wisdom to her midwifery practice. In 2010 Kathy will complete a Family Nurse Practitioner certification where she will be caring for everyone in the family. She has a 22-year old daughter that she birthed naturally, and she is engaged to be married. Second Vice President:Cassandra Haggert, a licensed massage therapist, aspired to work in the healthcare field ever since elementary school. After graduating at the top of her class,Cassandra started out assisting a local chiropractor. Shortly after, she openedThe Art of Touch in Largo with business partners Alicia Orbea and Lynn Ellen Gaffin. In addition to receiving neuromuscular certification during her studies, she has received certification in prenatal and postpartum massage through Kate Jordan's Bodywork for the Childbearing Year and is certified to teach infant massage to parent's and caregiver's through Infant Massage USA. She is an active member of the Largo Mid-Pinellas Chamber of Commerce, Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals and the Tampa Bay Birth Network. She is a native Floridian born and raised in Largo, Fl.Treasurer:
Alex Curtis-BoyerSecretary:
Joy Carnahan-CipollaCOMMITTEES:
Meetings Committee:
Natural Birth and Baby Expo Committee:
Megan Poole Van-SwooleMembership and Website Committee:
Newsletter Committee:
Tampa Bay Birth Network Co-Founders:
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