Core Faculty
Dr. Sarita Bennett, DO, Midwife
Sarita was born and raised in the mountains of West Virginia and has dedicated her life’s work to serving people in general and childbearing women in particular. She has midwifery in her blood and believes that midwifery is a survival skill, necessary to the health and continuation of our species. Sarita trained and studied midwifery nearly thirty years ago via apprenticeship and self-study. A decade ago she completed medical school and residency, experiencing birth in a hospital setting. She has experienced birth in many settings and inherently trusts both birth and the abilities of women’s bodies. Sarita currently practices as a Family Practice Physician in her own clinic and provides midwifery care there as well as serving women in homebirth. She is also an instructor for the Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO) course. She is an active member of the Midwives Alliance of WV, the WV Friends of Midwifery and the Birth Policy Coalition. She strives to support educating more midwives in our rural state with limited choices in childbirth as well as legalizing midwifery care. Sarita is a wife, mother, grandmother, midwife and family practice physician.
Ruth Ann Colby Martin, CPM, LM, WEMT, CD(DONA)
With a BA in Experiential Education and a decade of teaching experience, Ruth Ann is dedicated to helping others learn through the experiential/apprenticeship model. She earned her CPM via the apprenticeship model (PEP process) and self-study. Her mission is to empower women to understand that they have choices in childbirth and what their choices are. As a Certified Doula, a Certified Professional Midwife and a Licensed Midwife she provides childbirth education, doula care and services as a homebirth midwife. She is an active member of the Midwives Alliance of WV, the WV Friends of Midwifery and the Birth Policy Coalition. She is dedicated to supporting the education of midwives and doulas in a way that women have always learned these skills, and in a way that supports women and families. Ruth Ann lives rurally on a West Virginia mountaintop in an old farmhouse where she hauls water, heats with wood and keeps chickens, bees, goats and a garden. She has two daughters, born out-of-hospital into her midwife’s hands.
Dr. Sarita Bennett, DO, Midwife
Sarita was born and raised in the mountains of West Virginia and has dedicated her life’s work to serving people in general and childbearing women in particular. She has midwifery in her blood and believes that midwifery is a survival skill, necessary to the health and continuation of our species. Sarita trained and studied midwifery nearly thirty years ago via apprenticeship and self-study. A decade ago she completed medical school and residency, experiencing birth in a hospital setting. She has experienced birth in many settings and inherently trusts both birth and the abilities of women’s bodies. Sarita currently practices as a Family Practice Physician in her own clinic and provides midwifery care there as well as serving women in homebirth. She is also an instructor for the Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO) course. She is an active member of the Midwives Alliance of WV, the WV Friends of Midwifery and the Birth Policy Coalition. She strives to support educating more midwives in our rural state with limited choices in childbirth as well as legalizing midwifery care. Sarita is a wife, mother, grandmother, midwife and family practice physician.
Ruth Ann Colby Martin, CPM, LM, WEMT, CD(DONA)
With a BA in Experiential Education and a decade of teaching experience, Ruth Ann is dedicated to helping others learn through the experiential/apprenticeship model. She earned her CPM via the apprenticeship model (PEP process) and self-study. Her mission is to empower women to understand that they have choices in childbirth and what their choices are. As a Certified Doula, a Certified Professional Midwife and a Licensed Midwife she provides childbirth education, doula care and services as a homebirth midwife. She is an active member of the Midwives Alliance of WV, the WV Friends of Midwifery and the Birth Policy Coalition. She is dedicated to supporting the education of midwives and doulas in a way that women have always learned these skills, and in a way that supports women and families. Ruth Ann lives rurally on a West Virginia mountaintop in an old farmhouse where she hauls water, heats with wood and keeps chickens, bees, goats and a garden. She has two daughters, born out-of-hospital into her midwife’s hands.
 Student Testimonials "What an opportunity for me, a wife and mother of 6 who homeschools and runs two businesses. I was able to continue my midwifery studies on a schedule that meets the needs of my first priority-my family. Dr. Sarita Bennett, DEM and Ruth Ann Colby-Marin, CPM are admirable instructors who keep the tradition of the ‘apprenticeship model’ alive gaining ‘hands-on skills’ with great care and respect. The Mountain Institute location, is a conducive environment for soaking up the rich material. The bonds created are valuable for building relationships with clients and other colleagues in the midwifery field. Over all, it was a well-spent investment that I would not hesitate to encourage others to take advantage of. I am forever grateful to the Sarita and Ruth Ann for bringing more midwives into our communities!” -Doran Richards, Student Midwife, CD, CBE, Founder of Blessing God’s Way (www.blessingGodsway.com) |