Meet the Staff

Office personnel | Midwives | Birth assts. | Specialty staff

OUR MIDWIVES

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.

Ruth Goldberg, CNM
IRuth Goldberg, CNM has many years experience as a labor and delivery nurse both in the hospital and at Best Start. She has recently completed her midwifery education with Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing and is now a full-time midwife with Best Start. 
"I feel proud and privileged to work as a midwife for Best Start. It is my goal to provide each family with the best birth experience possible."

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. 

Jude Winhoven, M.S., CNM
Being with women while they are in labor has been part of my life since the late 1970’s. Having read Ina May Gaskin’s book “Spiritual Midwifery”, I wrote to her asking to mentor from her and learn how to be a midwife, she wrote back saying I was welcome, but our paths have yet to cross. However, I did go on to study midwifery and became a certified nurse midwife in 1995. I went back to school for a Masters in Nursing in 2005 and recently completed additional midwifery training at the University of Michigan in 2008. I have been working in either Midwifery or Women’s health care for many years in San Diego. Recently returning from a stay in Ohio, I am pleased to be working as a Midwife with the Best Start Birth Center. My personal philosophy of birth is to let it happen, my job is to let you be free to learn what your body, mind, and baby have to share with you during birth. I will be standing by to make sure all is well and to assist you during one of the most amazing moments of your life. Thank you ahead of time for allowing me the honor of assisting you and your new family.

Brook Ray, M.S., CNM
I’ve been a Certified Nurse-Midwife since 1999, attending over 1000 births in and out of the hospital. I graduated with a Masters of Science Degree in Midwifery from UCSF and I’m certified by the American College of Nurse Midwives. I’m a mother of three children; the first one born in the hospital, and the second and third born at home with midwives. I’m from Santa Barbara, California, where I first started studying midwifery as an apprentice to the Santa Barbara Midwives. I have several years of experience working as a full-time Certified Nurse-Midwife at the UCSD Birth Center. I speak Spanish fluently. I currently work “per diem” for Best Start Birth Center and attend homebirths. I also love dancing and teaching Birth Dancing classes for expectant mothers.

Candace Mooney, M.S., CNM
I have been a Certified Nurse Midwife since 2001. I graduated from the University of Michigan with a Master's of Science. While attending nursing school, I fell in-love with obstetrical nursing. I enjoyed it so much one of my instructors suggested I looked into midwifery - I have been hooked ever since. I have practiced in the clinic setting and private practice, in the hospital, as well as, in the birth center setting. I have children but they have four legs and fur, Tigger, my cat, and Klyde, my dog. My pets are an integral part of who I am and give me great joy. I also enjoy reading, being with family and friends, traveling, sunsets, and golfing. I look forward to being present with you at your birth - I consider it a privilege.

Office personnel | Midwives | Birth assts. | Specialty staff

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