Meet Our Team

 

Mary Kate Shanahan, VDC Co-Founder

Labor & Postpartum Doula, Perinatal Educator

Mary Kate (she/her) is a passionate woman with a thirst for knowledge. Originally on the path to a career in medicine, Mary Kate quickly realized that the difference she had always dreamed of making had more to do with empowering the people she works with, rather than diagnosing and treating. With the matriarchs in her family setting a clear example of caring for and educating new parents, Mary Kate refocused her energy and pursued her passion of maternal and child health by becoming a professional doula.

As a child, Mary Kate told anyone who would listen that she would one day grow up to own an adoption agency and an animal shelter. The two businesses would be side by side so that each child would be paired with an animal for love and support. Mary Kate knew then the power of attunement and continuity, and in her work today as a doula, she is constantly reminded of how powerful one can feel when they have the support of someone they feel attuned to by their side.

Mary Kate is a trained and experienced birth and postpartum doula with a background in maternal and pediatric medicine, behavioral and mental health, emergency medicine, and bereavement. 

She has specialized training in multiples, high risk and medically complicated pregnancies, and specialized postpartum care.

Mary Kate is also experienced in education (childbirth, postpartum, infant care), photography (birth, postpartum, pregnancy loss), and NICU families (transitions, coping, bonding).

Mary Kate’s doula related training includes the following:

Mary Kate’s formal education includes a Bachelor of Science in Medical Biology with a minor in Psychology from the University of New England. She is a formerly Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)/ EMT Educator and Practical exam facilitator. Additionally, she is a Certified Pediatric Clinical Assistant, a trained OB/GYN Medical Assistant, and a Certified Pediatric Behavioral Health Professional for the state of Maine.

Mary Kate is a national conference speaker with guest spots on Vermont Public Radio. She is also the cheerleading coach for a competitive youth team and a volunteer for an animal rescue program. In her down time, Mary Kate lives an active lifestyle but also very much enjoys downtime cuddling with her rescued sled dog, Sirius. She and her fiance, Jake, met singing together in a contemporary A Capella group called Root7. You’ll know it’s them on the road when music is blaring from the car and they’re dancing behind the wheel while singing along at the top of their lungs!

Mary Kate lives in the Greater Burlington area and provides supportive services within a 1.5 hour radius of Burlington, Vermont.

 

Haley Parizo, VDC Co-Founder

BSN, RN, Certified Labor & Postpartum Doula, Perinatal Educator, Infant Feeding Specialist

Haley (she/her) is a pediatric nurse, a professionally trained and certified labor and postpartum doula, a new parent educator, and an infant feeding specialist. Growing up in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom birth and early parenting was normalized by the life experiences that surrounded her. Stemming from a lifetime interest in birth and babies, and following in her aunt’s footsteps, she decided to pursue a career in nursing. While finishing her degree she spent three months as a nurse extern on the Birthing Pavilion of Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. Here she gained invaluable experience in labor and delivery, as well as newborn and postpartum care.

In 2010 she graduated from the University of Vermont with her bachelors degree in professional nursing. Shortly thereafter she began working as an RN for a small pediatric practice in Richmond, VT (Richmond Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine), where she continues to work to this day. She enjoys the continuity of care that working for a small practice brings and can’t believe how quickly all of her patients are growing up! In addition to Richmond Pediatrics, from 2011-2013, Haley also worked per diem as a nurse at Northwestern Medical Center (St. Albans, VT) in their Family Birth Center. Here she participated in countless deliveries and primarily worked with postpartum families and their newborns. While working on the birthing center it became clear to her that something was missing for her. Due to the nature of the role of a modern nurse (focusing mostly on the medical aspect of care, administering medications etc…), she was unable to give the individual time and one on one attention and support to each of her patients that she so desired to give. Haley realized that she could have the best of all worlds as a professional certified doula, and eventually a doula trainer. Her passion for education and individualized support led her to end her time at NMC and pursue her doula career.

Doula work is where Haley has discovered her true calling. In 2013 she trained as a labor doula through CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association) and in 2015 obtained her labor doula certification (CLD). It wasn’t until the taxing postpartum period that followed the birth of her son, that Haley’s true passion for providing postpartum support was ignited. A long, difficult, medication free birth, with no sleep for many days, followed by extensive breastfeeding difficulties, and undiagnosed postpartum anxiety led Haley to the revelation that planning for the postpartum period should be as equally emphasized as planning for birth is...

“No one should have a baby and be left to feel isolated, alone, and trapped in a dark and scary place. The postpartum period is powerful and requires tremendous support.” - Haley Parizo   

In 2018 Haley officially founded Island Doula, LLC, providing pregnancy, birth and postpartum support to countless Vermont families. In 2019 Haley officially trained as a postpartum doula and in 2020 as a New Parent Educator, both through CAPPA. She earned her Postpartum Doula Certification (CPD) in early 2021, after completing over 300 hours of in-person support with postpartum families. 

In addition to Island Doula, from February 2019-September 2021 Haley Coordinated the University of Vermont Medical Center’s Volunteer Doula Program. She helped build and develop the program and still participates in their biannual training for new volunteer doulas as one of the program’s doula trainers. 

Over the years Haley has taken various courses to compliment her training and certifications, including participating in CAPPA’s Annual Conference for Perinatal Professionals, several breastfeeding classes, ProDoula’s Postpartum and Infant Care Doula training, ProDoula’s Infant Feeding Specialist training, childbirth education class, hypnobirthing class, and Postpartum Support International (PSI)'s "2020 Mom" 8 week maternal mental health training. Haley is currently working toward certification with Stillbirthday for bereavement doula services, and Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep; A photography training to provide services for families who are experiencing fetal or infant loss. 

Haley’s extensive compilation of training, education and accomplishments enhance her support of Vermont families. She has experience supporting a wide variety of families varying from families of multiples, high risk pregnancy and birth, cesarean birth, surrogacy, LGBTQ+ families, single parents, and home birth. She has extensive breastfeeding experience and particularly loves and specializes in postpartum overnight support. She is CPR and first aid certified. Aside from birth and babies, Haley is also passionate about photography and plans to add birth and newborn photography to her offered services in the future. 

Haley reminds her clients that this is their birth, their body, their baby, and their family. That they have choices even when things seem like they are spiraling out of control. She encourages them to take in all of the (usually unasked for...) advice, and information with a grain of salt, and then proceed as it feels most right for THEM!

Haley lives in Grand Isle with her husband, Dustin, who is as passionate about his business, Island Excavating Corp., as she is about Vermont Doula Company! Together they have 2 children, Bryson and Tenley, as well as two cats and two dogs. When not working with clients, you can usually find her listening to audiobooks and podcasts via a single earbud. She also enjoys taking pictures, reading, camping or boating with her family, and traveling to tropical places.

 

Sarah Howe, Labor and Postpartum Doula

Sarah (she/her) is mature, cheerful, and calm. Her interest in birth work started when her own children were born an entire generation ago! Working as a doula now answers a call from thirty-five years ago following some preliminary apprenticing with her homebirth midwife. She unfortunately quickly realized that an irregular schedule would not work with what her family needed from her at that particular time in her life. She was sad to set the ambition aside but always hoped to come back to it.

In 2018 Sarah’s hope for re-entering the perinatal field was fulfilled when she trained as a labor doula through the University of Vermont Medical Center’s Volunteer Doula Program. Sarah has been happily supporting at births ever since. Sarah emphasizes helping the birthing person find their own strength and power in labor and birth and she is truly awed by the emotional transformation that happens as a birthing person, through their body, creates and extends their family. This rite of passage brings forth undreamed of strength and she feels it is a miracle to be around and a privilege to help with. Sarah also trained as a postpartum doula through CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association) and enjoys the continuity of care of being able to work with families through birth and postpartum.

Sarah worked for 15 years as a medical writer/editor and then completely changed careers and spent the last 10 years working on a vegetable farm. She has combined farming with working as a nanny during the winter months. She is excited to concentrate more fully now on birth and postpartum work.

Emma Huvos, Labor Doula & Massage Therapist

Emma (she/her) is a heart-centered space holder and compassionate advocate who is excited to bring her energy to supporting birthing people and their families through her work with VDC.

Emma is a DONA International trained birth doula and is a volunteer with the University of Vermont Medical Center’s Volunteer Labor Doula Program. She is currently completing massage therapy school and is eager to integrate that healing modality into her birth work. 

Emma has a professional background in early childhood education, as well as nonprofit communications and development. She is also a trained end of life doula. Her work is guided by her passion for empowering people to reclaim ownership over their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing while working to dismantle the power structures and conditioning that can make that so challenging. 

Emma finds joy in gardening, bouldering, yoga, cold plunging, kayaking, playing with her three-legged rescue pup, and her role as a foster parent. She lives with her family in Essex Junction.

 

Shira Palmer, Labor and Postpartum Doula

Shira (she/her) recently graduated from the University of Vermont, earning a degree in History and pursuing a Pre-Med path. She aspires to attend medical school within the next couple of years, with the ultimate goal of becoming a fetal surgeon. Though she may come off as quiet and a bit cautious when first meeting her, she is anything but and is deeply passionate about fair healthcare and social justice, a fire stoked during her time with the University of Vermont Debate Team and The Lawrence Debate Union.

Growing up, Shira was a devoted caregiver for her disabled mother. This set her on a unique journey of compassion and caregiving. Her heart has always been drawn to supporting those going through childbirth and when she learned about doula work, Shira knew it was a perfect marriage of caregiving and evidence-based support. As a testament to her passion for women’s rights, Shira was accepted into, and trained through, the University of Vermont Medical Center’s Volunteer Labor Doula Program. 

Shira further refined her knowledge and skills by becoming a trained Postpartum Doula through CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association). She is currently working on finishing up her formal doula certification. As a lifelong “night owl”, Shira loves supporting families during the nighttime hours.

Beyond her doula role, Shira's passion for reading and her love of history shines bright. She's often found with a book about The Tudors in hand. During her downtime, Shira loves immersing herself in the melodies of her favorite bands, The Cranberries and Pearl Jam. Whether on road trips or through her earbuds, music is her constant companion. At home, Shira is ruled by a special Goldendoodle named Henry (a nod to the king, of course) and her three adorable guinea pigs.

Morgan Heath, Labor and Postpartum Doula

Morgan (she/her) stands out as a remarkable individual, combining her creative spirit with a down-to-earth attitude. She is a trained labor doula through CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association) and her ambitions extend to becoming a postpartum doula and a childbirth educator. As the eldest of five siblings, Morgan's role as the oldest child has nurtured her caregiving abilities, a quality that complements her doula role seamlessly. With a diverse background in alternative medicine, nursing assistance, and handling emotionally charged situations while working in childcare settings, Morgan brings a rich tapestry of insights to her doula practice. 

Morgan's core belief is in transforming the perception of childbirth, shifting it from a daunting experience to one of beauty and intensity. Her unwavering commitment is to empower birthing individuals, offering unending support and helping them make choices that align with their well-being. With determination, she goes beyond the surface, guiding her clients through challenges and pushing boundaries, all in the pursuit of a positive birthing experience. Embracing the full range of experiences doula work offers, Morgan views the challenges as opportunities for her personal growth.

Morgan's blend of creativity, practicality, and open-mindedness positions her as an exceptional doula. Her diverse experiences make her a compassionate and understanding guide, ready to support and empower individuals as they embark on their unique birthing journeys. 

In her spare time Morgan enjoys crocheting, reading, writing poetry, and creative thinking projects. Her favorite city is Boston, and has been since she was 9, when her Girl Scout troop visited the Museum of Science. She fell madly in love with all things dinosaurs and science there too. Morgan resides in Fairfield with her fiance and their dog, Greta.

 

Megan Clavel, Labor and Postpartum Doula

Megan (She/They) is a compassionate and attentive doula. She has been a caregiver for all ends of the spectrum from newborn to elderly. She first became a doula with the UVMMC Volunteer Doula program. It was there that she fell in love with providing support and advocacy for birthing families. She loves that her work as a doula has allowed her to become active within her Vermont community. Megan has further expanded her knowledge through CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association) and is a trained postpartum doula. She is also currently pursuing a nursing degree at UVMMC with hopes to one day become a midwife. 

Megan has grown to value the opportunity to unconditionally nurture and support a person through a major life transition such as welcoming a new child into the world. Years of experience in the field have equipped her with a toolbelt that she can reach for. She is able to customize her care based on the unique needs of each family she works with. She meets each family with an open heart and open mind, ready to help in any way she can. 

In her free time, Megan loves getting into the outdoors, reading, and yoga.

Halle Broido, Postpartum Doula

Halle (she/her) is a trained postpartum doula through CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association) and is working on her formal doula certification. 

Halle studied Early Childhood Education at the University of Vermont. After teaching in preschools around Vermont for several years Halle decided it was time to change gears. In August of 2020 she left teaching to be a nanny to a wonderful family in Hinesburg, the town where she grew up. Halle has also spent the last two years working as a receptionist in a small pediatrician’s office in Richmond, VT (Richmond Pediatrics). She is very excited to be pivoting once again and diving into postpartum doula work more full time. Infants have always been her favorite age group to work with for as long as she can remember. 

When not working, Halle can be found dancing, reading, hiking, taking care of her plants, drinking tea, learning about ways to reduce her carbon footprint, dabbling in the use of essential oils, walking to her local grocery store, and spending time with friends and family.

 
 

Are you ready to have a doula by your side?

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