Meet the Staff

Roberta Frank, CNM, CEO, Best Start Birth Center
I’m a native of Southern California in the coastal communities. I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Nursing in 1968 from SDSU, and went on to get my certificate in Midwifery in 1978 from UCSD. I have been married 4 decades and have 3 grown children. I became a midwife because the hospital birth of my first child didn’t meet my expectations in regards to the quality of care given to me. I believed then, as I do now, that birth is a joyous miracle and that the care given to mothers and babies should reflect that belief. I have home birth and birth center experience spanning over 3 decades. One of the greatest moments in my career was being able to attend the birth of my first grandson at Best Start and witness from my daughter’s perspective, the satisfaction of care she received. While medical interventions are sometimes necessary, most of the time birth is a healthy non-medical event. My intent is to provide individualized care that honors both the mother and her loved ones based on their personal needs.

Bonnie Everett, Chief Financial Officer and Insurance Billing
I'm a native San Diegan, married 39 years to my high school sweetheart, and we have raised two sons. I've been solving insurance difficulties and working out cash agreements for our clients for 15 years at Best Start. I enjoy the challenge of getting some of the more difficult insurance companies to agree to cover their subscribers for a Birth Center delivery. It has been a real pleasure working with my sister Roberta, helping families create wonderful birth experiences.

Karen Roslie, Executive Administrator
Born and raised in coastal San Diego, I feel an incredible pride and passion for being a part of Best Start Birth Center, the longest established freestanding birth center in California. My wish is for all women and their loved ones to have a place to celebrate the miracle of normal birth in the manner they choose, without unnecessary and often unsafe, medical interventions. My hope for all persons who find their way to us is that they receive the same support, nurturing environment, and exceptional quality of care that we did with the birth of our son, (born at Best Start in January of 2003, Super Bowl weekend). My vision is that birth centers such as Best Start, will eventually become the norm, providing pleasant surroundings and beautiful outcomes while honoring the individual needs of each family member, thus creating a gentler world one birth at a time.

Ruth Goldberg, RNC, Nursing Director
I have worked as a labor and delivery nurse in various hospitals across the United States for many years and I am proud and delighted to have worked with Best Start Birth Center for the past several years. I am dedicated to providing our clients with a birth experience that is not only safe and healthy, but deeply empowering and spiritually healing as well. I'm currently out on leave studying to become a Certified Nurse Midwife for the Birth Center but will be back soon!

Stella Goulart, Sonographer
I have been married 35 years have 5 children and 8 grandchildren. I have been an Ultrasound technician for 12 years. I’m experienced in abdominal sonography to include breast, thyroid, and specializing in OB/GYN. I’m certified by A.R.D.M.S. (American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers), since 2002. I’m also a member of the SDMs, (Society of Medical Sonographers). My greatest passion is my family and friends and our favorite pastime is camping and fishing. My daughter Olivia delivered her first child here 1 year ago and I am totally convinced that for some people this is the only way to birth!

Kel Shields, M.S., CNM, OB/GYN N.P.
Native San Diegan, I became a nurse to become a nurse midwife and work with women and families in a warm, holistically oriented practice---just like Best Start Birth Center. My greatest interest is in women’s health, and I strive to provide the most compassionate and competent care while incorporating my background in holistic health and my experience working with low- and high-risk OB patients in the hospital setting. I have attended homebirths in Tijuana, Mexico and traveled extensively internationally. I am proud to serve the culturally diverse women who come to our Birth Center, and I strive to help create an environment of empowerment and growth for each woman and bonding of the family.

Sarah Khorram, M.S., CNM
I moved to San Diego from Michigan in 2004 because I wanted to work in a birth center. Coming from a high risk hospital setting, I was looking for an environment where birth is seen as a natural process, and woman are empowered to give birth the way they want and encouraged to be an active participant in their birth. I feel so fortunate to be a part of Best Start Birth Center, (since 2004). I am reminded every day of the strength that every woman possesses and feel honored that I can share the birth experience with so many families. Right now, because I have a small child; Zyanya Alarcon Khorram, born August 26, 2007, I work at the birth center part-time: Friday clinic, and one weekend a month. I also help out as a birth attendant when I can. I look forward to meeting you, and wish you well in your pregnancy and delivery. 

Racheal Rivera, Birth Assistant, LVN
I've spent 12 years in the Health Care setting and I have served many different roles, in the U.S. and in Japan . My first experience with Labor & Delivery happened quite by surprise: I was working as an EMT in Japan and we happened to get a call for a woman who had gone into labor earlier that day. She had only been in very early labor (1 cm), so the hospital sent her home to labor comfortably until she was a bit closer to delivery. She did go home and after enduring two hours of contractions, she decided to get into a warm bath. She ended up falling asleep and, during that time, her water broke in the tub! She didn't know what had happened, but she woke up to the seriously intense contractions. Her husband was concerned and called 911. When we arrived, we helped her out of the tub and into the living room. She was at 10 cm! We weren't going to make it to the hospital, it was too far... We called in to let the Dr. know her status and 7 min later we helped her deliver her baby. Mom did great, & gave birth to a healthy baby girl with a strong set of lungs! Since that moment, I have known that I wanted to be a Labor and delivery Nurse, and perhaps someday, a Nurse Midwife. I look forward to being part of your miracle as well, and I'm so glad to be a part of Best Start Birth Center.

Kristina Nelson, LVN
I was born and raised in Riverside California and moved to San Diego in 2002, to begin my nursing career. I graduated in December 2006 with my LVN and am currently working on getting my RN and eventually becoming a Midwife. I have always been fascinated with the birthing process and feel so lucky to be able to participate in such an amazing experience with so many different families. Best Start Birth Center provides such a wonderful atmosphere for a family to begin a new life and brings a whole new meaning to the Miracle of Birth.

Matia Pradels, Birth Assistant
I grew up in San Diego. I'm married to the love of my life and we have two boys ages 8 and 11. After having a less than satisfying hospital birth with my first son, I researched natural birth alternatives. I learned that while medical intervention is sometimes necessary, birth is usually a natural process and not a medical emergency. My second son was born at Best Start Birth Center. We received such warm and attentive care. The midwives helped my son come into this world the way we wanted. I felt like I was driving, instead of just being along for the ride. I decided to become a nurse so I could give back and help women have a wonderful birth too. As a birth assistant, my job is to help with the birth and to take care of mom and baby postpartum. I also do home visits. I am so proud to be a part of Best Start Birth Center. It is a blessing and privilege to work with you at such an important and miraculous time in your life. 

Dulce Rocha, M.A.
I have known since my freshman year in high school that I wanted to be in the health care field. I am a single mom with a 2 year old daughter who I absolutely adore! Being a single mom has helped me to become stronger and more empathetic to others. This has only aided me in becoming more proficient in my career path. At Best Start Birth Center I work the front and back office. I also assist as a birth assistant on occasion. I love working in this home-like, peaceful, and loving environment. Since coming to Best Start, I have enjoyed every day at work. My long range plans are to go on and get my RN license.

Yesenia Gonzalez, M.A.
I was born in San Diego and have a one year old daughter, so I still remember what new moms are going through. I have been a medical assistant for 2 years. Hopefully I will be able to continue my education to become a registered nurse. I love my job, I love the way I get to meet new people from the beginning of their pregnancy until their babies are born, and be able to help them throughout the entire process. Usually you’ll find me at the front desk or in the lab…so I will be the first person you see!

Amanda Glenn, ICCE, LE, CLA
I have an extensive background in child development and specialized training in perinatal education. My passion is bellies, birth, babies & breastfeeding! My journey on the birth path started 8 years ago when I was pregnant with my own baby. I soon discovered the amazing strength, power and collaboration it takes to bring forth new life. I birthed my first daughter, established an amazing breastfeeding relationship and continued on my path to becoming a certified childbirth educator with ICEA. I have been teaching childbirth education to a diverse population of new parents, veteran parents, teenagers and high-risk groups for 5 years, and I absolutely love it. In addition to education, I also provide hands-on labor support as a birth doula. I give educational, emotional and physical support to birthing families throughout pregnancy, labor, birth and the newly postpartum period. I am also trained as a lactation educator so that I may provide education and support to breastfeeding mothers and their babies through classes. Breastfeeding is such an integral part of the life process, and I aim to facilitate a positive experience. In addition to the basics of birth and breastfeeding, I have specialized training in infant massage as a parent educator, and I practice those skills nightly with my own child. I continue down the perinatal education path daily as I teach, support and comfort parents and families, and I learn from each and every one of them through their life experiences. 

Rebecca Vance, Vital Statistics
I have been participating as Best Start Birth Center’s “Birth Registration Specialist” since 2000. It is my responsibility to make sure each of the births that occur at our birth center is registered with the county of San Diego. Most important is the accuracy and timely submission of the document. While it might not be the most exciting part of the birthing process, this document will be very beneficial to your child throughout their entire life. Therefore it is my goal that each document be perfect, with your help in the proof-reading process.

Antonia Damian, Facility Maintenance Coordinator
Hi, my name is Antonia and I am the Facility Maintenance Coordinator. I have been living in San Diego for 25 years. I am a mother of four. In addition to keeping our facility clean and welcoming for all expectant mothers, I also do outreach in the community, introducing the birth center to people who do not know of its existence. I love my job and my co-workers and am grateful for the opportunity to work at Best Start Birth Center.

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