FRASER BIRTH COLLABORATIVE - Key Persons
I graduated from UBC in 2012 with my Masters of Physical Therapy and I did my Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UFV in Abbotsford. I grew up in Canada, Central Asia and Germany and moved back to Abbotsford to be near family and go to university. I met my husband here and we have four wonderfully busy children. Our last baby was born in the fall of 2022 and each of my postpartum journeys has been different. I vividly remember learning about pelvic floor physiotherapy in school and saying to myself "I will NEVER do that." However, after my second child, I realized just how important and difficult it can be to regain full pelvic floor function so I took specialized training in Women's Health Pelvic Floor Rehab with courses in incontinence, prolapse, diastasis recti (abdominal separation), painful sex and pain around the vulva and coccyx.
I am passionate about helping women regain control of such a vulnerable area of their lives and nothing is TMI to me. My goal is to help give you practical exercises and strategies and a personalized exercise program to help get you back to the activities you love. I use a combination of biofeedback and full body exercises to help you reach your goals.
I also do "regular" orthopedic physiotherapy and have extra training in manual therapy to help with muscles and joints, dry needling, concussion and vestibular rehab. I played sports growing up and had a number of injuries but one specifically big injury that involved surgeries and rehab. I personally understand the work it takes to rehab and the emotional toll that injuries and long standing pain can take on your life. I am passionate about helping my patients get back to doing what they love and not feel limited by their injuries or postpartum journey.
When I am not at work, I'm usually spending time with my family and our dog. I love to be outside camping or going for walks and I also like thrifting. I am usually learning something new, and right now I am learning how to ski and how to draw.
My name is Evelyn and I am beyond thrilled to be part of the Fraser Birth team
I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2007 from Trinity Western University. I began my career working in Pediatrics at ARHCC, then three years in I realized the passion I had for neonatal care, as we would receive these "NICU graduates" on the pediatric floor. I obtained my Neonatal Specialty through BCIT and have been working in the Abbotsford NICU since 2010.
When I'm not at work, I am usually with my husband and our three girls (5, 8 and 10). Together we love being outside together, at our family cabin, or being cozy inside reading and playing games.
It's been an exciting journey developing and opening Fraser Birth Collaborative, and Mary and I are so excited to see this dream come to life. I started this path in 2006 when I studied nursing at Trinity Western University. I fell in love with Obstetrics nursing and immediately started at Abbotsford Hospital as a labour and delivery nurse in 2009. During my work here over the next years I conducted research, as part of my Masters of Science at UBC, on the effects of various maternal positionings in labour on fetal positioning in labour. Throughout my studies and work on the maternity floor I found myself drawn to the midwifery model of care - the woman-centred care, their philosophy of birth, and supporting families throughout the prenatal period, delivery, and the postpartum period. My family and I moved across the country to Toronto where I completed my midwifery studies. I worked as a midwife at Chilliwack Midwifery for three years and am grateful to the midwives and community for welcoming me, teaching me and helping me grow as a midwife before coming back to Abbotsford.
I am so excited to be back in Abbotsford. The collaboration between the many team members in this clinic is truly my dream and melding of my past nursing life and midwifery life. I feel strongly that having care delivered from a team will more fully meet the needs of our community - offering routine prenatal care alongside mental health services, breastfeeding supports, home visits, and higher risk physician care within one location and with one team!
Personally, my husband and I moved to Abbotsford from Surrey in 2008. We have four boys (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017) who keep us busy! We love to hike together with our dog, go skiing, spend time at Lake Chelan in Washington, and enjoy "Sunday-fun-day" with our extended family. My husband is an elementary school teacher so we love to go away at Spring Break someplace warm!
I'm looking forward to engaging with the moms, infants, and families in the Fraser Valley!
My passion in nursing has always been women's health! I graduated from Thompson Rivers University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and completed my Perinatal Specialty in Nursing at BCIT. I have been working in labor and delivery for more than 12 years now at ARHCC. It's a privilege to be involved in a family's birth experience and I take pride in my role as the nurse.
I have completed additional training in sexual health and have had the opportunity to work in local clinics specifically meeting reproductive health needs of the community.
I'm currently an instructor with BCIT in the Perinatal Specialty and enjoy mentoring and facilitating the learning of nurses new to maternity.
I have two children and enjoy spending time with my family outside.