The Ashland Birth Center Story
Why a birth center in Ashland?
Following in my mother’s footsteps, I, Savita, began a primary midwifery practice in 1992. I moved to the Ashland area 22 years ago and continued to attend home births within an hour of my home. Over the years, as my practice grew, I found myself catching babies during the heaviest snowfall season in Herbster, Cable, Ironwood, and Duluth and had families traveling nearly three hours seeking my services. In 2012, it became apparent that we needed a home away from home.
Midwife Dana Churness began working with me in May of 2012. Together, we found a beautiful Victorian mansion that today serves as Ashland Birth Center’s headquarters. It is centrally located and 1.5 miles from our local hospital. The Ashland Birth Center has allowed us to grow our practice and be more intentional and proactive about the care we provide. Over 300 families, in the first six, have found services and support at the Ashland Birth Center. We thank you for the opportunity to serve your families!
Meet Your Midwives
Savita Jones
Primary Midwife, CPM, LM
Savita believes that a safe and satisfying childbirth experience provides an excellent foundation for taking on the responsibilities of parenthood. As a midwife, Savita seeks to help families access information, make sense of issues, think about their preferences, and put a safe and thoughtful care plan into place.
Savita is a second generation, Wisconsin Licensed Midwife. Her mother, Virginia Priest, has been at the forefront of midwifery in Wisconsin since the early 70’s.
Savita began her own primary care practice in 1992 and has attended over a thousand out-of-hospital births. She holds several professional and advanced certifications and is a student preceptor for her professional organization. Savita served as Treasurer for The Wisconsin Guild of Midwives from 2010 – 2016. She remains active for the advancement of Midwifery within her community and nationally.
‘I wish families well as they embrace the opportunity to be informed about their health care and encourage all families to view this special time in life as sacred.’ -Savita
Dana Churness
Midwife, CPM, LM, CD (DONA), ICCE, CLC
Dana experienced her first out of hospital birth in 2004, as a birth doula. In the years that followed, Dana birthed her own 2 sons with midwifery care in the comfort of her own home. In doing so, it became even clearer to Dana that pregnancy, birth, and infant care have a profound impact on families and personal well-being. Being born is important.
Dana’s professional midwifery education began in 2011, when she began an apprenticeship with Savita Jones. In March, 2016, Dana began providing midwifery services as a Licensed and Certified Professional Midwife (LM, CPM). She has held NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) Certification since 2011, and is certified in Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics, among several other certifications including: ICEA Trained and Certified Childbirth Educator, Certified Lactation Educator, and DONA Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula.
Dana believes that all families deserve accessible, culturally appropriate and evidence-based care that align with the Midwifery Model of Care.
Meet Our TEAM
Amaris Andrew-DePerry
Student Midwife, Doula
Penny Charette
Traditional Midwife, Doula
Tour the Ashland Birth Center
