Katelyn Rasmus, CNM, MSN, RNC-OB, CEFM
Midwifery Clinical Director
Katelyn Rasmus is a certified nurse-midwife and the midwifery clinical director at Saint Peter’s University Hospital. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Rutgers University. She then went on to earn a Master of Science in Nurse-Midwifery from Frontier Nursing University, the longest continuously enrolling midwifery program in the United States.
“It is an honor to support those who trust the certified nurse-midwives at Saint Peter’s with their health care. Ever since I was a young girl, I knew I wanted to be involved in ‘catching babies,’ even before I knew what that meant! I am grateful and privileged to be part of a profession that supports families in their quest for physiologic and supported birth, as well as overall wellness throughout each person's lifespan.”
Victoria Tortora, DNP, CNM, WHNP-BC
A graduate of Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut, Victoria Tortora earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Rutgers University. She obtained dual certification as a certified nurse-midwife and women’s health nurse practitioner. Victoria’s doctoral work focused on ways to decrease Cesarean sections. “The culture of where you birth makes all the difference and that’s why I am dedicated to my patients and their plans for birth.”
Danielle Melican, MSN, CNM, RNC-OB, C-EFM, CBC
Danielle Melican earned her 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 believes that every birthing family deserves and can benefit from midwifery care. Danielle is also versed in trauma-informed care.
Jennifer Gobencion, CNM
Jennifer Gobencion, CNM, is a certified nurse-midwife at Saint Peter’s University Hospital.
Arielle Elias, MSN, CNM, WHNP-BC
Arielle Elias earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Rutgers University, focusing on maternal-child health policy, and a Master of Science in Nursing from Yale University. She is dual certified as a Certified Nurse Midwife and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, and the current chair of the legislative committee for the New Jersey Affiliate of the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM). Arielle is passionate about protecting physiologic birth, promoting evidence-based medicine, and providing attentive, high-quality, individualized care during pregnancy and birth, as well as across the lifespan.
Shanaya Recalde, MSN, CNM, WHNP-BC
Shanaya Recalde, MSN, CNM, WHNP-BC, earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, and a dual Master of Science in both Midwifery and Women’s Health from Rutgers University. Shanaya, known as Shay, is dual certified as a certified nurse-midwife and women’s health nurse practitioner. She has been in the field of maternal and child health and women’s health for 15 years, gaining experience in both high- and low-risk obstetrics, private practice, underserved and low-resource communities. She is especially passionate about decreasing breastfeeding disparities, as well as increasing access to care for all women. Currently, she is completing a PhD in Nursing at Rutgers University, where her doctoral work focuses on missed nursing care, breastfeeding and the postpartum mother. Shay is also a Spinning Babies® Aware Practitioner.
Jennifer Perry, MSN, CNM
Jennifer Perry, MSN, CNM, is a certified nurse-midwife who obtained her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has experience working in private practice, public health, high-risk obstetrics, academic departments and low-resource settings. She has worked in international health in Mexico, Central America, and Haiti, and is fluent in Spanish. Jennifer is the mother of two wonderful kids, whom she delivered naturally with the help of midwives.
Vanessa Kenny, CNM
Vanessa Kenny earned her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Indiana State University and went on to become a certified nurse-midwife through her education at Frontier Nursing University in Hyden, KY. She is deeply committed to ensuring that her clients’ voices, questions, and concerns are always heard. Vanessa prioritizes informed, consensual, and shared decision-making in her care. She believes that midwifery is a collaborative model that involves not just the client and midwife, but also doulas, lactation consultants, social workers, and others. Vanessa is passionate about the positive impact midwifery can have throughout the spectrum of obstetrical and gynecological care.