Dr. David Millar is the Executive Director and Medical Lead at Monarch Centre. As an Ottawa-based family physician, Dr. Millar has always had a special interest in low-risk obstetrics and newborn care. Upon pursuing a medical degree, Dr. Millar quickly found and developed his love for obstetrics and newborn care during his Family Medicine residency at the Ottawa Civic Hospital. Dr. Millar has run his family medicine practice in the Glebe since 2002, alongside his OB and newborn practice at the Ottawa Civic Hospital. He is an Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine. Combining his strong advocacy for primary based maternal and newborn care, and his vision for improved linkages between institutional and community based care, Dr. Millar was instrumental in developing the Monarch Centre concept in 2013. Dr. Millar enjoys photography, running, hockey, and spending time with his wife and three daughters.
Dr. Jen Chew is engaged in full-spectrum clinical care, but it was her interest in newborn and maternal health which drove her to join the Monarch team in 2014. Dr. Chew has an honours degree in biochemistry, and a medical degree from the University of Ottawa. She previously worked at the Ottawa Sexual Health Centre Clinic, Ottawa Public Health Branch, and has now been practicing in a full-time family practice since 2002. Dr. Chew teaches both medical students and family practice residents at the University of Ottawa. She enjoys running, skiing, and spending time outdoors with her husband and two young children.
Dr. Jos Anderson is an Ottawa-based family physician who has a focused practice in Breastfeeding Medicine. She completed her Honours BSc in Genetics from the University of Western Ontario before completing her medical training at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Anderson is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and a Fellow of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (FABM). Dr. Anderson grew up in Ottawa, and got married on her snowboard. She is pursuing a zero waste life with a strong commitment to improving our world for future generations. She has two children whom she breastfeed. Her challenges with her first are what ignited her passion to help Mothers and babies succeed in their feeding goals. She feels privileged to be a part of your parenting journey and trusted with the care of your family.
Dr. Colleen Mir is an Ottawa-based family physician with a special interest in Maternal and Newborn health. After completing an undergraduate degree in Health Sciences and her medical degree from McMaster University, she moved to Ottawa to complete her family medicine residency training in 2012. In addition to her regular family practice she joined the team at Monarch in 2015. She also practices obstetrics out of the Civic hospital, and is a faculty member at the University of Ottawa. In her spare time she is an avid runner and baker, and is about to embark on a new adventure with the upcoming delivery of her second child – due May 2022!
Dr. Rachel Li is family physician who is interested in Women’s, Maternal, and Newborn health. She completed her medical school at McMaster University and her Family Medicine Residency in Kingston. After graduating, she spent some time practicing in Alberta and the Northwest Territories, but is excited to be back in Ontario where she can set down roots! She loves working with new moms and is honoured to be a part of your journey with your little one.
Tara Parsons is Monarch’s Director of Patient Care. She is a Registered Nurse and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She received her BScN from the University of Ottawa in 2001 and her Lactation Certification in 2014. Her nursing experience includes 5 years of experience in Labour and Delivery, Maternal-Newborn Care, and gynecology, as well as 6 years as a Public Health Nurse in the Healthy Babies Healthy Children’s Program with Ottawa Public Health. Tara has a passion for health and fitness and is a mom of two.
Sheryl Hamilton graduated from Dalhousie University with a bachelors of nursing in 1988. She has been an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant since 1997, and has spent the last 25 years working to support prenatal and postnatal families, with a special interest in the support of breastfeeding. Sheryl is a member of the Ottawa Valley Lactation Consultants (OVLC), the International Lactation Consultants Association (ILCA) and the Canadian Lactation Consultants (CLCA). She enjoys spending her free time with her family skiing, boating and relaxing at her cottage in Tremblant.
Erica Desloges is a Registered Nurse and Lactation Consultant with a passion for helping moms learn the art of breastfeeding. Originally from California, Erica moved to Canada where she earned her nursing degree from McGill. Erica practiced paediatric nursing for three years, and then began her training to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Erica is currently a member of the Ottawa Valley Lactation Consultants. Outside of Monarch, Erica teaches fitness classes and is a mom to three energetic little boys.
Allison Ferri is a Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant who happily joined the Monarch Centre in 2017 to help families achieve their breastfeeding goals. For the past twenty years Allison has enjoyed working with families in several capacities during the most memorable times in their lives. Prior to joining the team at the Monarch Centre, Allison gained experience as a doula/labour support person, nursing in both antenatal and postpartum units at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, teaching prenatal, breastfeeding and perinatal nutrition classes with both Region of Peel and City of Ottawa as well teaching clinical maternity nursing to Algonquin College students. Most importantly, she has breastfed 6 children over the span of 15 years, persevering through many breastfeeding challenges. In her free time she enjoys doing anything active and outdoors with her six children and dog.
Sylvie Bender is a Registered Nurse and Lactation Consultant with 10 years experience in Maternal-Newborn Care. Born and raised in Ottawa, she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Ottawa, collaborative with Algonquin College in 2008. Her passion for teaching and helping families care for their babies has driven her towards pursuing the International Board Certification in Lactation Consulting, which she has recently completed. Sylvie has a young daughter who she breastfed while overcoming challenges. She enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter and two dogs, as well as working out for time to herself.
Alison Portner is a Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She graduated from the University of Ottawa/Algonquin College Collaborative Nursing Program in 2014, and obtained her IBCLC certification in 2018. Alison joined the Monarch Team in 2014 and, embracing a community health philosophy, has derived great enjoyment from working with a clientele of various cultural backgrounds. She is passionate about helping new parents transition into their new role, as well as supporting and assisting mothers to overcome breastfeeding challenges.
Sascha Wionzek is a Registered Nurse and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She graduated from the University of Ottawa’s nursing program in 2018 and started her nursing career at the Civic hospital working with antenatal and postpartum families. It was here that Sascha found her passion for teaching and helping new families navigate through this vulnerable and exciting time in their lives. She joined the Monarch family in 2020, and became a lactation consultant that same year. Sascha also teaches the parenting and breastfeeding workshop for Monarch. She grew up in Almonte, just west of Ottawa, and now calls Kanata North her home. In her spare time, Sascha likes making use of the many great nature trails throughout the capital region for hiking, cycling, swimming, and cross country skiing.
Michelle Escares is a Registered Nurse with a long-held interest in the care of child-bearing families. Since graduating from UOttawa in 2012 with a BScNursing, she has worked with a large Family Health Team and in a Neonatal ICU. She is excited to be part of the team at Monarch, and is actively pursuing her Lactation Consultant certification. Michelle enjoys hiking, yoga, DIY projects, and spending time outdoors with her family.
Rayan Joumaa is a Registered Nurse who received her BScN from the University of Ottawa. Her student placement was in the Maternal-Newborn unit, which is where she worked for two years. Rayan also has experience working in a fertility clinic, where she helped parents through the process of starting their family. She is currently a full-time nurse at Ottawa Public Health’s Sexual Health Clinic. Rayan is very passionate about the postpartum process and helping families transition into their new roles, as well as working through any breastfeeding challenges they may have. Rayan can provide nursing care in both English and Arabic. Her love for working in the wonderful world of Obstetrics/Gynecology has led her towards pursuing the International Board Certification in Lactation Consulting.
Emma Buist is a Registered Nurse who received her Bachelor’s in Health Science in Nursing from Ottawa University in 2010. She has spent 11 years working with Families at CHEO in a variety of settings throughout the hospital. It was her passion for newborn care and working with families that has led her to become a member of the Monarch team and drive her interest in working towards becoming a IBCLC. She is passionate about helping families transition into their new roles, and supporting them with feeding challenges. She is an advocate for increased breastfeeding support in both hospital and community settings. Emma is a mother to three active boys who enjoy hockey, and doing anything outdoors.
Roshena Moledina is a Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant with 15 years of experience in the realm of maternal child health.
Her experience in the clinical setting, combined with teaching at the university setting, has given her a wealth of experience in many aspects of maternal and newborn care. As a mom of two, Roshena also brings valuable real-life experience and understands the various successes and challenges that come with parenthood.
She is passionate about empowering families utilizing the most up-to-date evidence-based information in a supportive environment. She truly believes that parent education is imperative in one of life’s most vulnerable moments, and bringing evidence into practice helps parents to establish and fulfill their goals.
Kellie Grenier is one of our full time Care Coordinators at the Monarch Centre who recently moved to Ottawa. A former early childhood educator, she is also the mom of 2 boys, now young men. Kellie’s interests include enjoying the outdoors and spending valuable time with friends and family in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. She loves helping families at the Monarch Centre in their transition time as new parents.
Maggie P is a part time Care Coordinator at the Monarch Centre. She is a graduate of Bishops University with a B.Sc in Health Sciences and a minor in Psychology. As well as working at the Monarch Centre, Maggie also works at CHEO with the Newborn Screening program and at a medical clinic in the Seaway valley. She loves the art of dance and practices a variety of styles, sharing her passion by teaching classes to children multiple nights a week. In her spare time, Maggie loves to travel and spend time with her family.