Meet the Team
Tiffany Van Maren CPM, LDM, LM
I grew up in Chicago, IL and graduated from Illinois State University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Special Education. I loved my time teaching in the classroom and have used that education and experience to tutor, teach classes for the local homeschool group, and homeschool most of my own children. After the birth of my first child in 2001, I found myself drawn to learning about childbirth and supporting friends and family in the hospital as they gave birth to their children. Around 2010 I began assisting a local traditional midwife who had cared for me when I had my twins in 2006. This relationship grew into an apprenticeship over time, and what she has taught me will always be a part of my midwife heart.
Once I realized that midwifery was my long-term path, I decided to pursue formal education and licensure. After attending Mercy in Action College of Midwifery, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Midwifery in May 2024. I am certified as a Certified Profession Midwife (CPM) and am licensed in Oregon (LDM) and California (LM), allowing me to provide care to families in Curry and Del Norte Counties while well-integrated with local medical systems.
I have been married for 28 years, and we have 5 children, most of whom are quickly becoming adults. We have lived in the area for 2 decades. In my free time, I like to garden, walk with friends and family, play games with my family, and direct shows for our local community theater. I also love to travel to see my family and, very occasionally, to some place tropical!
In truth though, learning new midwifery skills and providing those skills to families is my favorite thing to do. I am passionate about educating and empowering women to allow them to make informed decisions about their care. I feel that providing complete information and autonomy over choices is vital to a safe and empowering birthing experience.
Dawn Norman, Lead Birth Assist
My family and I have lived in Brookings for 25 years. It has been a wonderful community to raise our three kids, now grown and out of the house. I started working at our local Humane Society thrift store about seven years ago, after doing in-home childcare for 12 years. My husband, Kevin, and I, when not working, enjoy daily walks with our dogs, going to the beach, and participating in trivia night at the local brewery. I also love spending time with my amazing friends.
I have been interested in pregnancy and birth for a long time. I had midwives with all of my pregnancies and births. I read everything I could about birth during my pregnancies and continued to do so even after I was done having babies. My first glimpse at home birth began by attending some of my friend’s home births, as a companion for their older children. What an incredible experience! When my friend, Tiffany, asked me if I wanted to be her birth assistant, I just knew this was something I wanted to do. It has been awesome to see Tiffany’s dream of being a midwife become reality. She’s an inspiration, and her passion for birth work is contagious. Several years ago, I started training regularly with her, and attending home births with her and a local traditional midwife, Victoria. I am truly honored to be witness to the beauty and strength of women, and the miracle of birth, each and every time. I love this community, and am so glad the women here will have another option for safe, compassionate care. I look forward to many years of working with, and learning from Tiffany at Healing Tides Midwifery.
Shannon Johnson- Birth Assistant
I was born and raised in Brookings and feel deeply connected to the families and community here. From a young age, I have loved caring for others and that love has grown into a lifelong passion for supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.
I am a mother of three amazing children and was blessed to have midwives attend all of my pregnancies, and Tiffany supported my most recent home birth. Experiencing the care, wisdom, and support of midwifery firsthand deepened my love for this work and inspired me to become more involved in serving families during such a meaningful time in their lives.
I am also a birth doula and feel honored to walk alongside mothers as they bring their babies into the world. Supporting women and their families during this sacred transition is truly a privilege.
I have been working with Tiffany for several years now and continue to learn so much from her knowledge and experience. I am grateful to be part of a team that provides compassionate, family-centered care, and it is a blessing to support mothers and babies in the community I have always called home.
Raquella Pettit- Birth Assistant
I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and found my way to Del Norte county in 2018. I am a mother of three amazing children, and through my own journey in motherhood, I developed a deep passion for connecting with and supporting families through their own unique experiences.
In my free time, I am a tumbling instructor, and I love teaching kids how to do cool tricks! Tumbling has been a lifelong hobby of mine, and getting to share it with the next generations is one of my favorite things to do. I also enjoy spending time with my beautiful family in this special place we call home. Nature is important to us, and river days are our favorite.
I work for the local Family Resource Center where I have the opportunity to provide community programs and outreach. During my third pregnancy I became inspired by doula work and decided to dive into the birth world and become a doula. Having navigated young motherhood myself, I experienced firsthand the gaps in support that many families face, which has driven my desire to support families from the start. It has been an honor to provide care and comfort as moms walk through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
Receiving midwifery care throughout all of my pregnancies further deepened my interest in pregnancy and birth. I continue to be in awe of the beauty and strength of the birth process, and I believe that every woman and family deserves compassionate, individualized support.
I am honored to be a part of the Healing Tides team, where providing safe and compassionate care is foundational. Working with Tiffany has been an incredible opportunity. Her support during two of my pregnancies helped shape my passion for birth work, and I am grateful to now be part of the care she brings to our community. As a birth assist, I have continued to enjoy expanding my knowledge and being a part of what she has created here in this community.
Eden Van Maren- Birth Assistant
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