Shirley W. Y. Ma, CNM

While her classmates at UC Berkley were debating medical school, Shirley was still wondering which direction to go when she responded to an advertisement to become a labor coach/doula and later, a prenatal health worker at Asian Health Services. There, she supported monolingual immigrant families through language interpretation, education and help navigating the healthcare system. Inspired by the creativity and resourcefulness she witnessed as people sought community and connection, Shirley went on to complete her education and training in nurse-midwifery and still enjoys caring for Asian immigrants and people of Asian descent today. In her practice, Shirley provides cares for people during pregnancy, birth and postpartum and reproductive and wellness care across the age spectrum. In addition to building relationships, one of the things she enjoys most is learning about the traditional food practices of different cultures and helping her patients preserve those. Raised in the Bay Area of Northern California, Shirley enjoys running, hiking, camping and most other outdoor activities. She is excited to be in the Pacific Northwest with easy access to all of her favorite things.