CCHN Doula Network:
I’m Alicia, a DONA trained birth and postpartum doula supporting families throughout Central New York. I completed my birth doula training in 2019 and postpartum doula training in 2022, both through Beautiful Birth Choices of Rochester, NY.
My role as a doula is to support and empower you throughout your journey by providing you with access to a variety of tools and resources so you are able to make the informed decisions that best fit your needs.
I will work with you to uncover your confidence, strength, and natural intuition. Whether you desire a hospital birth, home birth, medical interventions, or a drug free experience, I will work with you to discover what’s most valuable and create a plan that empowers you throughout each trimester
Alicia Suskin
Hi, my name is Lindsey, I'm a trained doula through Cayuga Community Health Network. I'm a mother of 3 girls and 1 boy. I've also lost 2 babies to miscarriage which lead me to start a local support group for families grieving pregnancy and infant loss. I personally have had very diverse and unique pregnancies and births which inspired me to pursue being a doula. In my own personal triumphs and tribulations I've learned the true value of support and how crucial it is to have support, especially during the moments in which we are at our most vulnerable. I am passionate and driven to help support you in a way that is unique and only for you on your journey through pregnancy and birth.
Lindsey Cornell
My name is Heather Koziol. I am a mother of two beautiful girls and live in Baldwinsville, New York. I have had both a hospital and a planned home birth. I became a doula because I was called to do so. I always say “I love babies but I love mommies more!” I am a trained birth doula working towards my DONA certification. I am also working to become a certified lactation counselor. I attended my first birth as a doula in early March and am eager to be of service to other birthing families. I am passionate about birth work and firmly believe that every birthing person deserves a doula. When it comes to the support you can count on me for emotional, physical, informational, educational advocacy and adaptability . I will support birthing families by providing the most up to date information so informed decisions can be reached. I will support every decision YOU make in regards to YOUR birth. I provide emotional support by just listening, lending an empathetic ear and holding space for the wide rage of emotions that come with pregnancy, birth and postpartum. I am a hands on doula and am comfortable providing comfort measures during labor. But I am also adaptable, respectful and willing to change my support approach in order to meet the needs of the birthing person and the family. I truly love birth work and consider this to be my life’s work.
Heather Koziol
Robin Jackson
Hello, I'm Robin. I wanted to take a chance to introduce myself. I am a 45 year old mother of two beautiful daughters who just entering into this brave new world as a Doula. I am trained by DONA, Douals of North America, the leading doula certification organization in the world. Currently I am working towards my certification through DONA as well. I have always been fascinated with pregnancy, birth and babies but my experience is what made me passionate with offering support to others. It's only recently that I have been able to put a name to that passion: doula.
I am a mom first, a wife, I own a holistic healing center: Serenity Wellness in Auburn, NY and a birth doula.
I became interested in birth work after my first birth experience. I was young (20), was giving birth as a single mom, and was on Medicaid, so I was not given the respectful care that I expect all parents to received. That birth was what is was. An pre-term delivery, with a lot of personal complications. My baby was safe and healthy and that what was most important to me. I didn't know to expect anything differently, but it did get me interested in Women's Health, and I started to pursue training. This is when I received my Associate's degree in Health Services.
Four years later, I found out I was pregnant with my youngest daughter. It was a scary pregnancy, I was considered high risk due to the complications I had from my first birth. I was always worried there was going to be something wrong, but she was perfectly healthy. I was very vocal to my OB about this fear and he was onboard and never seemed worried. After spending 3 weeks 3cm dilated I was induced. Little did I know that my OB would be called out of town due to a family emergency. The other OB I'd never met before wasn't as confident in my ability to have not have complications after birth. I felt defeated, but I had my daughter and they were able to intervene my complications because they knew my history.
Now, after 2 live births, both going intensely sideways, I decided to learn more about the birth world. This is when I discovered doulas. I met two amazing trainers from Rochester, NY. It was at this training that I faced and began to heal my birth trauma. It was at that training I realized what had been missing in my labor room and SO MANY labor rooms across the world. This is when my passion was truly IGNITED.
I have since entered the world of being a doula and have assisted others in their birth experience. My goal is to bring comfort and encouragement to women. It is my profound desire to help expecting parents find their zen in birth, to feel strong and powerful and to have the birth experience of their dreams. That is my sincere hope for you.
Hi, my name is Cindy Darcy. Becoming a doula has been the perfect extension of my career as an occupational therapist now that I am retired. My 30+ years of work as an OT included providing home based early intervention services. I have always loved babies! I have three of my own and one beautiful grandchild. I personally experienced both a C-section delivery and two unmedicated vaginal births(VBAC). I was lucky enough to be present at the birth of my grandson just after completing my doula training. I breastfed all three of my babies for a year or more, completed additional breastfeeding training and have counseled family and friends through breastfeeding. I feel very privileged to be a doula! It is my honor to support women as they work through the process of preparing for birth, giving birth to their baby, caring for their baby and processing the details of their birth experience.
Cindy Darcy
Danielle Martin is a pediatric physical therapist and trained doula from Auburn, NY with experience working with children, mothers, and their families. As a physical therapist, she is familiar working with babies born premature or with other developmental delays. She has 2 years of experience as a doula and has assisted 8 women throughout their pregnancies, labor, and postpartum, both in-person and remotely.
In her travels, she has heard many stories of painful, difficult births. Danielle hopes to support mothers during their most vulnerable state, providing them the tools and education necessary to make important decisions regarding the arrival of their little one so that mother and baby will have a magical, comfortable birth to remember.
Danielle is currently working towards her DONA certification.
Danielle Martin
My name is Ashley Wilkins, I am a mom of 6 children ages 18-5, as well as an LPN. I worked at an OBGYN office for 3 years and fell in love with OBGYN nursing which is why I decided to become a doula to further support woman during their time of need.
I am very passionate about helping other woman have a wonderful birth experience and advocating for you during your birth. I look forward to meeting you to learn about how I can support you during your time of need.
❤️ Ashley Wilkins
Ashley Wilkins
Cherrelle Smith is a lifetime resident of Auburn, NY. She is a mother of three children ages 1 years old to 11 years old. Here is a short Bio on her journey to becoming a Doula:
Cherrelle is a very passionate, loving and caring wife, mother, sister, friend, and community member. She has a bubbly personality and warm inviting smile. Cherrelle believes in the power of the voice and knows that it is important to advocate and educate those who may not be in the position to do so. Cherrelle’s mother recently passed away in April. During the last 10 months of her mother's life Cherrelle used her voice to advocate for her mother, seek out any and all information regarding her mother's health and the rights of her mother. Cherrelle will use this same passion and skill for advocacy as she supports expectant and new mothers along their journeys.
Cherrelle earned her certification as a Medical Assistant through an accelerated program at Cayuga Community College. Through the program, she spent about 96 hours in the community shadowing EMTs , physical therapists , oncologists , MDs and nurses. Upon completion, she worked in the profession as an Optometrist Assistant from 2012 to 2016. There she assisted the doctor in preliminary screening and patient education. At the start of 2016 she decided to expand her work experience into the field of dermatology. During Cherrelle’s employment at Reflections Dermatology, she acquired certifications in equipment used to treat Psoriasis. Cherrelle also took on many other tasks as a new employee there, in order to better assist the patients of the facility and her colleagues. After a year of employment, Cherrelle was recruited to return to Auburn Eye Care. Her family started to grow in 2019 and she decided to work per diem. However, leaving this work completely was not an option for her because of the close relationships she made with her colleagues, employer and patients.
After delivering her third, she reflected that all three birthing experiences were very unique. She first became a mother during her first year of college and based on her experience she is passionate about helping young mothers, and others, anyway she can in her community. Cherrelle recently completed her Doula training provided by the Cayuga County Health Network. Cherrelle has always wanted to work with women during pregnancy and initially set out to be a medical assistant in an OBGYN office. She is thrilled to expand her career into the area that originally drew her to medical assisting.
If you’re looking for someone to call or text in the middle of the night because you cannot sleep, someone to encourage and comfort you and give your spouse tips during labor and delivery or just looking for a peace of mind then Cherrelle knows she can fulfill those needs and looks forward to working with you!
Cherrelle Smith
I am a married mother of four children, ages 7 months through 8 years. I’m a New York State transplant and I spent most of my childhood in Europe. I love to travel, read classic literature, write creative fiction and poetry, bake all sorts of sweet treats, and spend time with my family. I am busy homeschooling my kids, helping my husband as we renovate our 200-year-old house, and serving at my church.
Through the support of doulas and my husband, I was able to deliver all four of my babies naturally without any interventions. Each birth was its own unique and amazing experience, and giving birth has been the most empowering event of my life. When I had my first baby, I was completely unprepared for how drastically becoming a mother would change me, for the better. It changed my perspective on so many things, and I know that my doula’s aid helped to make it a beautiful memory and my venture into motherhood start off on a healthy, happy note.
Because of my own experiences, I am eager to champion you during this very important moment of your life and help you achieve the birth experience that you will remember fondly your whole life. As your doula, I will offer physical, emotional, and spiritual support. I will assist you in making informed choices before, during, and after birth, and provide encouragement and comfort so you can be confident in those choices.
I am working on completing my certification with DONA as a labor doula, and someday I hope to also become a certified postpartum doula. I want to help moms in their breastfeeding journeys and offer support during the challenging weeks following birth.
Erika Rudl
Hi! My name is Rochelle and I am a single mother of 4 girls. I have worked in the healthcare field for 16 years as a Radiologic Technologist. Most of my days are filled with working out, working and spending time with my daughters. Personality wise I am very easy going and open minded. Being pregnant is such a wonderful journey and helping to be a part of that is an amazing thing. Every journey is different and needs different things and I am ready to be there for that. I became a doula to help other Mom's with their experience and be there to support them throughout it.
Rochelle Flanigan
I’m so happy you’re here ❤️ my name is Tori, I’m a mother to a 4 year old little girl. Me & my husband live locally and I really enjoy living in Auburn. I decided to become a Birth Doula to extend my career as a Program Supervisor for Healthy Families; a program that supports both expectant and new parents inside of their home. I have a passion for supporting women & babies. Your birth story is something that you carry for eternity- my role is to make sure that story is something you love through empowering you, supporting you, & advocating for you when needed. Xoxo
