Throughout her medical career, Jessica has expanded her knowledge and expertise. With degrees in women’s health, midwifery, family medicine, and psychiatric nursing (including a doctorate), she brings a unique perspective to women’s midlife care.

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“Women’s bodies amaze me, and I find the mind-body connection particularly fascinating. The uterus, ovaries, breasts, brain—all our organs and systems—communicate and work together. My education and experience have taught me to understand the whole picture.”

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Her mental health training has been especially eye opening. “Too many providers tell women it’s all in their heads. I learned how important it is to be empathetic, accepting, and to create a safe place for women to tell their stories. I don’t tell patients what to do—I listen and match up solutions to their concerns.”

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In addition, Jessica has extensive experience treating patients with weight and body changes. “Often women tell me I’m struggling with weight, appetite, and my metabolism isn’t what it used to be. Now we can provide them with evidence based medications that really make a difference. It’s exciting!”

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After 13 years as a trauma and intensive care nurse, Karen went through her own personal trauma: “I was widowed at 37, when my kids were still small,” she says. In the wake of that loss, she decided to go back to school to become a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. “I realized women are the center of the family,” she explains. “They need to be encouraged, healthy, and strong to make good decisions for themselves and the people they love.”

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Her mission is to build trust with her patients and partner with them on healthcare decisions.  "I'm not here to tell them what to do," she asserts. "Together, we figure it out, so they go into this next chapter of their life as productive and confident as possible."

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What excites Karen about caring for this generation of midlife women is their refusal to be overlooked. "They don’t want to be counted out,” she says. “They won't accept being long-time sufferers like their mother or aunts did. And they shouldn't, because there are so many things we can do to improve symptoms."

On the journey with her patients: I have been a nurse practitioner for 26 years, and I’ve always worked in women's care. I’ve been lucky enough to see women throughout their lifespan: from adolescent gynecological care, to childbirth, right through menopause. Over time, my patients and I have aged together, sharing symptoms like menstrual problems, weight gain, insomnia, body changes, and hot flashes. Because of my patients' and my own experiences with these frustrating and emotionally taxing changes, I began to take an extra interest in the menopausal transition”

No one-size-fits-all: Each individual's needs and challenges are unique as we age, For one patient, it might be insomnia, and for another it might be vaginal dryness that makes intercourse painful. By tailoring our care to each woman, we empower them to thrive during menopause. And witnessing their improved wellbeing at follow-ups is so rewarding.

‍Taking care of you: By this stage, so many women have prioritized others, whether it's their children, husbands, or aging parents. Midi helps them finally get the care they deserve.

Samantha began her career in cardiac care, but soon moved on to labor and delivery. “That’s where I discovered my love of women’s health,” she says. “And as the mother of four boys, I get my girl time with my patients!”

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She eventually transitioned into an OB/GYN practice to care for patients beyond the single moment of childbirth. “It’s an honor to work with women through all the chapters of their lives and walk along this journey with them.”

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Samantha is especially interested in the menopause transition. “I love this niche because it’s incredibly satisfying to relieve the specific pain points of menopause. I’m actually looking forward to going through it with my friends and patients. It’s all part of sisterhood,” Samantha says. “And with services like Midi, the whole experience can be easier and more lighthearted.”

“In medicine, we like to put people in a box and standardize care, but every woman’s menopause experience is dramatically different,” says Loryn. She learned that from her mentor, a gynecologist who is certified by the North American Menopause Society (NAMS). “Working with her, I saw how important it was to individualize every patient’s treatment.”

Now Loryn is NAMS certified herself, and pursuing a certificate in Sexuality Counseling and Sexual Education to better serve Midi patients. She has attended the NAMS conference for the past six years. “It’s like going to menopause school for four days!” she says.

Whether Loryn is helping her patients with hot flashes, sleep, painful sex, or any other midlife symptom, “I try to give all encompassing care. I always ask about stress, because women have so much on their plates at this stage. Making them feel heard and validated helps me advise them on how to be kinder to themselves. Then we get to work on fixing their symptoms."

Amanda has been caring for women for 17 years, and feels that the growing popularity of telemedicine helps her connect with patients. “It lets me create a safe space for a patient to come, tell their story, talk about their struggles, and for us to partner to make them feel like the best version of themselves,” she says.

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Follow-ups are crucial, Amanda explains: "It's a collaboration between patient and provider, to put the puzzle pieces together to help the patient reach their health goals. For example, better sleep turns into a better mood, which turns into more energy.

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“Women at this age settle too quickly for ‘ok’ but my goal is to get them feeling great. That’s why I’m earning my functional medicine certification, which encourages looking at the person as a whole and finding connections between various parts of their health.”

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Cheri Barzottini has devoted herself to women’s health throughout her career, with 20 years of experience at Kaiser Permanente San Francisco, the last 10 as Nurse Practitioner Lead for Ob/Gyn. One of the many things that excites her about the Midi model? Getting enough time with patients. “Modern health care can feel like a hamster wheel, with just 15 minutes to see a patient, not nearly enough time to devote to listening. When I heard that Midi allows clinicians far more time with each patient, I realized how different this would be. I have time to get a picture of her whole life, not just a quick snapshot. I can really hear her, and allow her to be involved in shaping her Care Plan.”

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Cheri is particularly invested in women’s needs at midlife. “I want to help them recognize that no part of their life should end just because their period ends. Their sex life shouldn’t end. Quality sleep shouldn’t end. Feeling good shouldn’t end, because there are treatment options out there for all of this. It’s a new chapter, and I want them to approach it positively.”

Throughout her 11 years of caring for women, Jessica has prioritized attentiveness. “The number one thing I pride myself on as a clinician is listening,” she says. “If a patient feels heard, they become an active participant in their care plan, and make progress much faster.”

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She initially wanted to go into pediatrics, “but I realized quickly that the best way to help children is to give them a healthy mom,” Jessica says. “That’s what’s going to leave a legacy of wellbeing for the entire family.” 

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Her commitment to overcoming barriers in women's health led her to Midi. "I think menopause is one of the last big topics we don’t talk about,” she explains. “As women, we’re called to lift each other up and break these taboos. It’s fulfilling to be part of a movement that brings us together as a community of women."

Creating her own niche: “I've spent my 15-year career taking care of women with cancers while working in a gyn/oncology practice in Virginia. In that space, I carved out a niche for myself treating patients in menopause, whether due to natural onset, surgical menopause, or from chemotherapy.”

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Tricia’s favorite part of patient care: “I love the moment when I get to follow up with a patient and she's able to tell me that things have improved and she's seeing that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

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Her menopause care mission: “To make sure that women know they're not crazy, that this is something we can handle, and it's a journey that I will go on with them. My goal is to hear each patient, empower her, and educate her. Menopause is not the end of anything but the beginning of the next chapter. Helping women make that transition is incredibly fulfilling.”

An early passion: “My mom was a labor and delivery nurse, so all I ever wanted to be was an OB/GYN. I did my residency in OB/GYN and ultimately switched to focus on gynecology exclusively, with a focus on hormonal health. Currently I’m the only Menopause Society certified menopause provider in my zip code in Texas. Women need the help down here!”

Her weight loss experience: “I have a speciality in weight wellness, and I’ve learned from personal experience, as well. As I approached my 50th birthday, I realized I had gained weight. I decided to change my entire regimen: I switched up my supplement routine, joined a gym, cut out processed foods, cut down snacks and carbs, and made a bunch of other lifestyle changes. It took five months but I lost 35 pounds.”

‍Offering empathy, and options: “When a patient is struggling I can tell them that I’ve been there, I know how this feels, how tough it is to go to the gym when you’re tired. As a doctor I know the supplements to decrease inflammation, increase antioxidants, and boost metabolism, which are key to losing weight. And of course I can also look at the weight loss medications and add those if appropriate. It’s so gratifying to see the improvement patients experience. I just saw someone whose LDL cholesterol dropped 50 points!"

As a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner with more than 20 years of experience, Tammie has cared for patients through many transformative phases. "But the 40 to 60 range has always been the most  exciting to me because you can help these patients so much," she explains. "The therapies we can offer midlife women are more targeted and effective than some of the solutions for younger women. And those therapies are safer than ever."

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Tammie’s recent work at a fertility clinic showed her the need for comprehensive care that looks at the whole woman, not just her reproductive goals. "Patients in their 40s were told they had diminished ovarian reserve, which was true,” she says. “What no one ever said was, this is perimenopause, and it comes with other symptoms we should discuss. While we focused on helping a patient build her family, there was so much more needed to help that woman—so much more to offer to help her feel her best.”

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Her personal experience has further fueled her commitment. "I’m going through menopause myself right now and it’s made the shortcomings of medicine for women in midlife even more obvious to me,” she notes. "I’m excited to help Midi change this entire experience."

What frustrates Melissa about the way midlife women are treated in the healthcare system? “It’s the invisibility,” she says. “Once they’re done having babies, women are de-prioritized, and their needs are often ignored. Women themselves put their children first, and the medical system does the same thing to them. My mission is to change that, and help fill the void in care.”

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So Melissa added specialization in menopause to her decades of experience as a Certified Nurse Midwife with a masters in nursing. Her own experience inspired her to learn more: “In my 40s, I started feeling ‘off’—like my body was no longer familiar. I didn’t have hot flashes, but sex was painful. I felt infinitely dry! And my PMS was turning me into a fire breathing dragon of rage. I had to do research and essentially provide my own care. But I realized I was in perimenopause, and zeroed in on solutions that worked right away.”

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Melissa became a North American Menopause Society Certified Menopause Practitioner, did her own research, “and got the broadest education I could.” She treats all the symptoms of midlife hormonal change, but sexual health is a particular focus. “If you want to be sexually active, we can help you have good sex for the rest of your life,” she says. “That doesn’t have to stop.”

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A certified Family Nurse Practitioner with 39 years’ experience in healthcare, Dr. Carothers’ incredible qualifications include certification as a Menopause Practitioner from the North American Menopause Society and a doctorate (yes, she’s a nurse and a doctor) focused on women’s sexual health at midlife.

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Why did she pursue the topic? “My husband is a family practice physician and during my menopause journey he said to me, ‘Your arousal is different—what’s going on?’ I realized that if my husband, a physician, didn't understand changes in the female body during menopause, I needed to explore more, and I needed to involve men. So I wrote my dissertation on changes in sexual desire and response from the perspective of both menopausal females and their male partners.”

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Once she completed her doctorate, she told her husband: “From this point on, all I want to do is treat menopausal women and speak about menopause. Every single one of us will go through this life stage, but there is so little preparation for it. This needs attention!”

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That’s what she’s providing at Midi, treating all symptoms of menopause and taking care to touch on sexual health. “Women think pain with sex and loss of desire is a normal part of aging,” she says, “but it’s not. It’s a part of our hormonal depletion. If sex is important premenopausal, it’s important for the rest of our lives, and we can help.”

Care for the dismissed: “I’ve been a nurse for 12 years, and a board certified Women's Health Nurse Practitioner for five years. My nursing background in postpartum showed me that women often carry a baby, give birth, and suddenly they’re left with a deficit of care. Menopause is similar, but I’m here to listen and help patients feel better at a time when they’re commonly overlooked.”

Building trust through attentive support: “I understand what it feels like when you are not heard or taken seriously at the doctor's office. I have a history of endometriosis, and it took years of advocating for my own health to get a diagnosis. My goal is that any patient that I see feels heard and validated, and leaves with a plan to help them feel better.”

‍Midlife is a time to thrive: “Menopause shouldn't be a time of isolation and suffering. We can help you live a full, healthy, enjoyable life with the use of various hormonal or non-hormonal treatments. We have something for everybody!”

“When I had my first baby I was so amazed by the process,” says Susan. “That’s when I fell in love with women’s health.” So she has focused on caring for women through her entire 26 years in nursing, and is thrilled to be at Midi meeting patients’ needs in midlife. 

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“So many women don’t understand what happens to their bodies during menopause. I’ll frequently talk to my patients about issues like painful sex, brain fog, and sleeplessness, and find they are simply not connecting the dots and recognizing the role of hormones in all these symptoms. Because vaginal atrophy is something our mamas never talked about!”

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Susan’s first visits with new patients are often about educating them, “calming them and settling their fears.” Then come the solutions. “There’s treatment out there and it can be life changing, so I make sure they understand all their options.”

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She’s also happy to share her personal experience: “I find myself going through the same stage of life as my patients now. It enables me to relate to what they’re going through.”

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Amber has nearly ten years of experience providing hormonal care to women and helping other clinicians do the same. “When word got out to patients that I was willing to listen, that I would never tell them they were crazy, and that together we could improve their symptoms—they were thrilled,” she says. “So I took my knowledge and taught other providers. Because menopause is a blank spot in our education, even at top schools like the one where I got my degree.”

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Why did she come to Midi? “Because of our focus on access to care,” Amber says. “I’ve worked with many under-resourced populations and telemedicine removes lots of barriers to care for them. It’s a radical improvement for a patient who feels forgotten by the medical community.”

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Along with seeing Midi patients, Amber is completing a mental health doctoral program. “I am excited to bring together my understanding of psychiatry, reproductive, and hormonal health care, because these parts of medicine can influence and contribute to each other.”

Leah earned her Family Nurse Practitioner degree to get a broader-spectrum education, “but I did all my elective hours in gynecology and realized that I absolutely loved women’s care,” she says.

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“As a clinician and as a patient myself, I find that women are too often ignored by the healthcare system, especially as we age,” Leah says. “Specialized care for patients going through perimenopause and menopause is so important, and can dramatically improve quality of life. That’s why I find it profoundly rewarding to treat their symptoms.”

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Years of working in a gynecological oncology practice “gave me strong knowledge on how to guide women through the journey when they can’t take hormone replacement therapy. I let them know their options, and that relief for their symptoms is always possible.”

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Leah gets into the details with her patients, no matter what their health history may be. “ I can’t tell you how many times women came in and just the fact that I listened to them was huge.”

Marissa realized she wanted to be a nurse during her post-college stint with the Peace Corps in Ecuador, helping to educate the community about HIV/AIDS prevention. “Going into hospitals and clinics I saw such a great need for information, especially among women. I could only do so much as a volunteer, and fell in love with medicine.”

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Wherever she’s worked in her ten-plus years of nursing, Marissa has always focused on caring for women. She is a North American Menopause Society Certified Menopause Practitioner, and brings a deep understanding of hormonal health to Midi. Her personal journey pushed her to build her knowledge: “When I was diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), I felt incredibly alone—even as a provider. So I did what I do best: I dug deep and educated myself, reading every article and going to every conference I could. I had to become my own provider, and educate my clinicians as they cared for me.”

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Even now, Marissa keeps herself on a constant learning curve; she recently completed a two-year fellowship in integrative medicine and brings her expertise in naturopathic, eastern, and alternative practices to Midi. In addition to the general midlife care she provides our patients, she is specializing in POI, premature, and early menopause. “I tell my patients about the many treatment options out there, and I also let them know that I understand a bit about what they’re feeling because I’ve been there myself. That is so huge.”

Kati is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with more than a decade of experience caring for women. Her own health journey has made her an exceptionally empathetic Midi clinician: “In my early forties, I had one ovary removed due to endometriosis. Usually, the remaining ovary kicks in and produces normal levels of estrogen, but sometimes it doesn’t. That’s what happened to me.” 

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Kati was thrown into early menopause, but neither she nor her medical team recognized it at first. “Severe joint pain was my primary symptom, so I was sent to be tested for lupus and other autoimmune disorders. None of those were the problem. It turned out to be simple estrogen deficiency.”

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For her, hormone replacement therapy was “life changing,” but as a Midi clinician, she takes a holistic approach, tapping a range of solutions to help patients’ symptoms. “That includes optimizing sleep, nutrition, movement and mental health, and using medications and or supplements as needed.”

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What excites her about Midi? “It’s the solid foundation of evidence-based practice, and the fact that we’re able to reach women in underserved areas through telemedicine.”

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“My entire life I’ve been drawn to how the body works, but the first time I saw a birth in nursing school that was it,” says Donna. “I was hooked. I knew I wanted to be in women’s health.”

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Now, with 17 years of experience caring for women, she’s passing along the knowledge she’s gained as a professor in Nurse Practitioner and doctoral programs. “When you teach, you realize how overlooked women’s midlife health is,” she says. “I had to go out on my own to research the topic, doing literature searches and every kind of continuing education I could.”

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The additional ongoing training she receives at Midi has only deepened her knowledge: “Midi University presented so much amazing data and the discussions of complex cases are incredibly thoughtful.”

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As she supports her patients and guides them toward solutions that help them feel better, she reminds them to “honor how cool and fascinating your body is and respect the journey that brought you here.”

A decade ago, Sydney was a neuroscience graduate student researching sex hormones and human behavior when she had a revelation: “I was interested in my subject area, but spending all my time in a basement lab wasn’t working for me. I needed people in my life to be happy.”

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She changed course and became a Family Nurse Practitioner, starting in labor and delivery and eventually working in a primary care clinic with a specialization in menopause management. 

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What drew her to Midi? “I practice evidence-based medicine and was looking for a company that would do the same work with rigorous, guideline-driven care. That’s what Midi provides.”

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All Midi clinicians benefit from extensive and ongoing training, and for Sydney, “the continuing education taps into the academic side of me. I love learning about cutting edge research and improvements in the treatment of menopause symptoms.” Applying that knowledge with patients satisfies her clinical side. “Follow-up visits at Midi are generally simple,” she says, “because patients tell me their symptoms have improved greatly and they’re feeling so much better. They’re just happy!”

Carla began her medical career as a forensic nurse, working with victims of sexual assault, before becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner with a focus on women's midlife health. “While working at an OB/GYN clinic with an older patient panel, I gained a lot of experience caring for women during menopause,” she reflects. “Because my schooling did not focus on menopause, I made it my job to educate myself.”

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Embracing a holistic approach to patient care, Carla addresses menopause symptoms alongside other factors. “With my background as an Family Nurse Practitioner, I see patients in the context of their whole health picture,” she says. “I’m able to take a more comprehensive approach, thinking about not just menopause symptoms, but also other factors that could be contributing to the challenges they face.”

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Carla’s dedication to her work is fueled by an awareness of inequities in medicine. “Women’s health is undervalued and understudied, so I want to be an advocate for anyone with a woman's body who is going through this universal experience.”

Emily’s journey in women's health began as a Labor and Delivery nurse. "I loved being there for women in labor, but noticed that there was a knowledge gap for postpartum women at a vulnerable, life-altering time." Transitioning to an OB/GYN office, Emily discovered another gap in care for women in menopause. "There wasn’t enough support for women in midlife. I’m so glad to help Midi change that.”

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Educating and empowering her patients are vital aspects of her practice. "We work together to individualize care just for them. That might mean exploring both the non-hormonal and hormonal treatments available, and finding the right fit for each patient to make her feel good in her body."

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Emily emphasizes the importance of making midlife women feel cared for and safe during their Midi visits. "I want them to feel like they’re talking to a friend, but also an expert with the knowledge to help," she says. Her experience as a certified health coach (as well as a Certified Nurse Midwife) enables her to take a holistic approach to care. “I ask about patients’ diet, exercise, sleep, stress, libido—and of course their emotional wellbeing, because our psyche has such a strong influence on health during this life transition.”

Shanna is a North American Menopause Society certified menopause practitioner, and was the lead practitioner at the menopause clinic at Sanford Health in South Dakota, which was founded in the Integrative Medicine philosophy of care. “My clinical experience taught me that many integrative practices work. For example, I saw that acupuncture helped with hot flashes, which is so powerful for women who can’t take hormones.”

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But it was her professional and personal experience with infertility care that really taught her how to counsel patients. “I learned how to have difficult conversations. Going through the infertility journey myself, I realized the value of education when you don’t feel you have power over every outcome. It gives you a deeper sense of understanding, and empowers you.”

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Shanna says her ability to connect is her greatest strength. “I never want to give revolving door care, so I ask great questions! Because in addition to following guidelines, we need to think outside the box and see patients as individuals. There’s no algorithm for that.”

Throughout Mellerie's 13 years of caring for women, she has emphasized proactive and individualized treatment. “I began my journey in women’s care as an RN helping support new parents in the military,” she says. “Through this experience, I decided to become a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner to serve as a health advocate and confidante for women at all life stages, but especially at midlife.”

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Perseverance and determination are hallmarks of Mellerie’s care. “I came to Midi because I love the challenge of figuring out the complex problems women deal with in perimenopause and menopause. I keep going until I find the right solution tailored for each patient, and if I don’t have the answer, I’ll find someone who does.”

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Mellerie recently earned her doctorate from the University of Alabama, a personal achievement with special resonance for her: “As a young Black man, my grandfather was prevented by law from attending the University of Alabama. I set my mind to attend the university that he couldn’t and earn the highest degree possible,” she shares. “I wanted to go above and beyond what he could have imagined, and I did. We were both in tears at my graduation.”

As a Certified Nurse Midwife and North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Certified Menopause Practitioner, Anna brings a unique perspective to her work at Midi. “The word ‘midwife’ comes from Old English, and means ‘with women.’ That’s been my goal in healthcare—to be with women through their lifespan.” The system did a good job around reproductive care, but when Anna got to Stanford Health Care, she discovered that her midlife patients were struggling. “They weren’t being heard or helped. They wouldn’t even bring up their perimenopause and menopause symptoms, because they’d been dismissed so often.

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“So I did my own research, earned my certification from NAMS, and asked tons of questions of clinicians with experience. But primarily I learned from listening to my patients.”

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Anna’s particular area of expertise is vaginal health, treating dryness and painful sex. “I tell patients you're at the peak of your life. That should be true professionally, personally and sexually. If a patient wants to have more sex, I say, let’s make sure you have that!”

Meeting patients’ needs: “While working for more than 12 years in family medicine, patients kept coming to me with hot flashes, vaginal dryness, recurrent UTIs, and other menopause symptoms. When they went to their primary care doctors, they would come away with supplements, at best. I hadn't received formal menopause training, and wanted to offer the most informed care possible, so I did my own research, turning to academic studies and diverse resources.”

Dedication, rewarded: “It's been fantastic to be able to treat women in midlife. Patients return to me ecstatic, saying their sleep, marriages, work, and overall quality of life have improved. And if a patient doesn’t reach her goals, I keep investigating. I stick with it until I get them feeling the way they want to feel!”

‍A personal stake in improved care: “As a teen, I had super heavy periods that required me to see specialists. I'm more conscientious about really listening to patients because I want to give them the kind of care I wasn't able to access. Menopause is still in my future and I want great treatment for my patients, and for myself.”

Dr. Lowy brings a unique background to Midi; She began her medical career by earning her nursing degree, then became a Board Certified Ob/Gyn, and ultimately gained deep expertise in menopause, hormones, and weight wellness.

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“My nursing side works with my physician side to bring compassionate care to my patients,” Dr. Lowy says. “Whether I’m working with women on menopause symptoms, weight, or both, I focus on their aims and expectations, and what’s important to them." 

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Dr. Lowy is a Menopause Society Certified Menopause Practitioner and joined Midi because “I have a special passion for increasing access and equity in women’s midlife care.” She sees Midi patients and helps run our weight program, incorporating her understanding of menopause, weight, mindfulness, as well as her expertise as a yoga instructor (she teaches classes geared for women dealing with hormonal transitions, pelvic health and other health challenges).

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“We all have a unique voice inside driving our purposes. But a lot of things interfere—time and money constraints, family responsibilities, glass ceilings and so much more. I meet my patients where they are, and support them on a personal health strategic plan.”

“I’ve been a full-scope Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner since 1998,” says Sheri, “and I’ve learned to take an integrated approach with my patients. To me, you’re not just your PAP result, your mammogram, your reproductive system. You’re a complicated individual. Who you are, your life goals, all matter to me.”

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Sheri brings that sensitivity to every patient visit, as well as her skills as a North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Certified Menopause Practitioner. Now she’s deepened her expertise with what we call “Midi U”—the extensive training program every clinician goes through before seeing Midi patients. “It’s fantastic,” she says, “the most comprehensive menopause education I’ve experienced.”

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At a visit with Sheri, you can expect to touch on a wide range of topics, including sexual health. “In a regular doctor’s visit, you never get to talk about your sexual wellbeing, but at Midi, we take the time to really get to know you. I’m so excited to be part of that!”

Ana began her career caring for women as a midwife before transitioning to midlife care. “Menopause is a normal physiological process, just like having babies,” she says. “There is so much we as clinicians, and you as a patient, can do to prepare for it and feel better as you go through it.”

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As a certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner,  Ana has a deep understanding of traditional approaches to treatment, but also uses integrative solutions. “It’s not just about pharmacology. There are many alternative options that I explore with patients, from acupuncture to herbs.”

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What excites her most about joining Midi? “First, working virtually. It  allows me to see many more women and defeats the geographical barriers that in-person care presents. Second, I’m amazed at the lack of care for menopause. Women rock, yet some drop out at the peak of their careers because of symptoms. I want to support them so they can continue to make an impact.”

“Working at Midi brings together my two passions,"  says Dr. Newton. "Those are women’s care, because there is so much lacking there, and access. I spent part of my childhood in rural Alabama, and we had to drive an hour to get to a doctor. So it was always my mission to practice medicine in a way that would make services more accessible.”

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Telehealth puts expert care within reach for so many more patients, and it's ideal for women in midlife, Dr. Newton says, “because it’s much less physical-exam-based and much more about listening to a patient’s story and hearing about her symptoms.”

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Dr. Newton also asks patients great questions. “As a family medicine physician I know that menopause doesn’t exist in a vacuum. There are other conditions that may tie into a woman's menopausal symptoms. It’s helpful for me to know the breadth of root causes that may be behind her experience.”

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She often tells her patients, “The menopause process is a marathon, not a sprint, and as you’re running that long race, I’ll be there for you to help you along the path.”

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“A few members of my family went through reproductive cancer treatment, and the compassionate, women-driven care they received is one reason I pursued women’s health,” says Katelyn, who brings nearly a decade of experience to her work at Midi.

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She began to specialize in treating the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause at an OB/GYN clinic in Houston. “The head physician there was a great mentor and very interested in hormones,” Katelyn says. “But now I’ve learned so much through Midi I feel I could go back and teach him quite a lot.”

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Along with common symptoms, Katelyn specializes in weight management. “My approach is holistic—a combination of lifestyle modifications, supplements, and medication as indicated,” she says. “I also talk to patients about their preferences and their busy lives, so we can come up with a plan that’s realistic. That dialogue is so important.”

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Like every Midi clinician, she’s inspired daily by her patients’ progress. “They return for follow-ups and say, ‘This is a miracle. I feel like a new person.’ Many of them have seen numerous clinicians and had no success getting treatment. It’s so satisfying to finally offer them real relief.”

Angela started her nursing career in labor and delivery, and has spent nearly 20 years caring for women, gaining experience in hormonal treatment along the way. “I feel blessed and lucky that as a woman, I get to care for women,” she says. “We share an incredible connection and kinship.”

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Throughout her career, Angela has emphasized the importance of “individualized, holistic, and comforting” care. “I want my patients to feel heard, and I’ve always tailored treatment to their unique needs. You can’t check boxes to care for someone completely and well—you have to go outside the box sometimes.” 

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Angela is excited to offer her patients two things: validation and relief. “So many women just give up because they get tired of talking. As I went through Midi University [our in-depth training program] I kept thinking, yes! Finally a good understanding of safe treatment for menopause symptoms.”

Dr. Osiecki is an Internal Medicine physician with more than 25 years of experience caring for adult patients. Prior to joining Midi, she co-owned and managed an award-winning independent primary care practice with a focus on women’s health, preventative health, and medically complex patients. What she loved about running her own practice: “I was able to spend enough time with patients to really understand their medical problems, and develop a rich appreciation for their unique lives,” she says. 

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Her attention to detail and emphasis on personal connection make her a perfect fit for menopause care, and Midi. “I’ve always loved working with women in menopause, an underappreciated and poorly understood life stage. So when I learned about Midi I was so excited,” Dr. Osiecki says. “Menopause is a moment in medicine as a practicing doctor where you get to say to patients, ‘I have really good news for you! You don’t have to give up your sense of wellbeing, your sex life, your job, your sanity—because your symptoms are so treatable. We can make all of this better.”

Lisa is a master’s prepared women’s health nurse, Family Nurse Practitioner and public health leader with more than 23 years of experience. She received her Menopause Society Certified Practitioner certification in 2022. “Menopausal care was so different when I first started—we had limited treatment options and there was a lack of openness around this life stage in general,” she says. Since then, Lisa has witnessed an evolution: "Now we have so many prescriptive and non-prescriptive options–we just need to educate patients about everything available to them."

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Lisa comes to Midi with extensive experience caring for cancer survivors with treatment-related gynecological issues. “Those patients need lots of discussion around issues like sexuality, intimacy, and body image,” she says. “That’s where I truly recognized the power of listening, compassion, and making patients feel heard. I use those skills with all my patients, and I’m constantly tweaking treatment based on risk factors, symptoms, and the patient’s comfort level with medications."

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As a clinician and a woman in midlife herself, Lisa appreciates Midi’s holistic approach to care. "What drew me to Midi was the fact that we don’t push prescriptions. Medication can only take you so far—there has to be a discussion about the mind-body connection, sleep, exercise, and other lifestyle topics. Midi truly provides holistic, comprehensive care."

Kat is a Yale-trained Nurse Practitioner with a focus on women’s health and deep empathy for patients who struggle to get high-quality healthcare. “I came from a family where I received no education about my body and became a mom in my early twenties,” she says. “I realized from personal experience that healthcare can be either transformational, or traumatic.” 

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To ensure a positive experience for her patients, she pays attention to “their physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.” And she never stops learning: “I’m a big nerd! I’m always doing my own side research on mental health, neuroscience, and alternative modes of healing.” For example, “working with the naturopathic community taught me that there are many alternatives to hormones for people who can’t or don’t want to take them. Those solutions can work and be very nourishing, especially for cancer patients.” 

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What does she love about working with women in midlife? “They really come into their power. They’re sick of feeling discarded and unheard, and want to know what we can do for them. What we can bring, as clinicians, are solutions, and the ability to see them as whole people, not body parts.”

“There’s never been a time in my life when I haven’t worked supporting women. It’s my calling,” says Melissa. “In college, I volunteered at our women’s resource center, educating students on sexual wellness and sexual violence prevention.” Her next stop: A stint in the Peace Corps at a women’s cooperative in Ecuador. “I met many nurses who told me that I have a nurse's heart,” she says. “Witnessing the impact of caring for women prompted me to join the field. Eventually, I got my masters, which enabled me to make more independent and individualized decisions with my patients.”

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She pursued hormonal care “because women were coming to me with all kinds of perimenopausal and menopausal issues. I knew I would be experiencing this life stage soon and realized I needed to become the expert for them, and for myself.” Her personal journey through perimenopause has only made her a better clinician. “My sleep is impacted, I can’t drink wine, I’ve had to figure out new ways to manage my weight,” she says. “But I’m grateful, because I’ve gained so much empathy for my patients.”

“I knew from childhood that I wanted to help women and advocate for them in some way,” says Gretchen, and she’s done just that for more than eighteen years as a nurse practitioner in OB/GYN practices. She is a North American Menopause Society Certified Menopause Practitioner, and specializes in compassionate, individualized HRT management.

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When she sees patients struggling with menopause symptoms, “I like to start by saying, ‘It doesn’t have to be this way. We can help you.’ I give patients a spectrum of options and partner with them to find what’s right.”

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Telehealth is a great medium for reaching patients, Gretchen says. “I love it as a way to get people access to quality care, even in the nooks and crannies of our system where they don’t have many options. I can reach them wherever they are, and there’s such a great, personal interaction—it’s like we’re in the same room!”

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Julianne's approach to menopausal care stems from 28 years of experience in women’s health, as well as her personal journey. "I’ve walked through menopause with a lot of women in my career, but it felt different after I’d experienced it," she explains. 

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“Once I reached a certain level of discomfort, I immediately got myself some estrogen and progesterone. Having access to the studies and data, I had no reservations. And only after my symptoms were relieved did I realize how much they were bothering me. In my experience, women are willing to accept more discomfort. Men would likely consider it an emergency if they were faced with anything like the perimenopause and menopause symptoms women simply deal with.” 

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Julianne appreciates Midi's  approach to care. “I’m interested in my patients’ menopause symptoms, but I also ask: Have they had their mammogram? Their colonoscopy? And what’s going on with their bone health—do they need a DEXA scan? Mid lets me look at their whole health picture.”

Jen Tagatz has decades of experience as a nurse practitioner specializing in women’s health, including 20 years providing OB/GYN services for Kaiser Permanente. Certified by the North American Menopause Society, she brings an incredible depth of knowledge to her work, but her empathy is just as important in helping patients heal and thrive. Where did that come from? “My mom was an OB/GYN nurse and my father was a fertility specialist,” she says, “so we talked about women’s health at the dinner table every night. Those conversations, and my early biology classes in human sexuality, made me realize how little information we receive about what’s normal, and how to get help when we need it. I knew early on that this was where I wanted to be.”

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She decided to become a nurse, she says, when she worked at a reproductive health clinic and saw that NPs did most of the patient education. “I liked that this role lets me focus on the emotional, psychological and psychosocial elements of a woman’s situation, not just her physical care. For me it’s about taking care of the person as a whole.”

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Why did she join Midi? Her reasons are both professional and personal. “At Kaiser I was seeing menopausal women complaining of joint pain, poor sleep, sexual problems, hot flashes—a gamut of issues. I read everything I could get my hands on, from my textbooks to information put out by all the major guiding organizations, but the education wasn’t there, and it should be. 

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“Then, as I hit my forties, I found myself going through hormone transition along with my patients, and my friends. Together, we figured out what to do. I was their partner for this part of their life, and it’s wonderful to be that resource people can go to. 

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“At Midi, we’re scaling that kind of support. We’re building robust protocols and sophisticated position statements. I’m so excited to have a voice and help develop a program, leveraged by tech, that will support all women in this amazing life stage.”

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With more than a decade of experience caring for women and families, Gisele has always been guided by one principle: “I treat my patients the way I would want myself and my loved ones to be treated.” In addition to showing them respect and sensitivity, that also means, “explaining the ‘why’ behind what they’re going through and giving them all their options in a clear way.”

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In addition to her Masters in Family Practice, Gisele earned her certification as a menopause practitioner from the North American Menopause Society. “Once I got into the clinic setting as a NP I saw and heard so much about menopause—women’s issues with hot flashes, genitourinary syndrome, and many other symptoms. I realized I needed to become a voice and a champion for these patients, helping them understand hormones, and find solutions.” As a fluent Spanish speaker, she’s able to reach an even wider community with her compassionate care.

“Compassionate, engaged, accessible.” Those are the three words Sarah uses to describe the care she’s delivered throughout her twenty years in women’s health. All three values come into play with her patients in the menopause transition. She strives to help them feel validated, and put them at ease: “I see many women who’ve felt dismissed or overlooked in a health system that lacks understanding of how profound the changes of midlife can be. It’s not just about hot flashes! Our changing hormones affect everything from the immune system, to our ability to multi-task, to our intimate relationships.”

As a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and Midwife who is certified by the North American Menopause Society, Sarah focuses on health and wellness in midlife. She is fluent in English, Spanish, and Arabic, and specializes in culturally sensitive care, with a holistic approach to women’s health that is tailored to each patient’s needs.

“The most important thing we can do as clinicians,” she says, “is to help every patient feel that the working of her own body is not a mystery, nor classified information, but that it’s an elegant design that makes sense—even as it’s changing. The more we can help women understand that process, and own it, the more they can take charge of their own well-being.”

Ashley’s career in nursing began nearly 15 years ago, and she has spent the last seven years focused solely on female health as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. 

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Her mother’s experience with breast cancer triggered her interest in menopause. “I watched my mom struggle with her diagnosis and also having to abruptly stop taking hormones. It was a lot on her. I spent time researching options during this transition, trying to help her find relief.”

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Ashley is now well-versed in supplements and other non-hormonal approaches to care. Prior to joining Midi, she also gained expertise at a vulvar specialty clinic: “Women in midlife and beyond were coming in with vaginal dryness, pain with sex, and vulvar skin issues. So many of them say they’ve been dealing with this for years, and, ‘It is what it is.’ I say, ‘Wait a second—we can help with all that.’”

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Her main message to patients: “Feel comfortable and ask questions! Bring up any topic, because whatever’s bothering you, there’s almost always a solution”

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After starting her career in labor and delivery, Heather segued into family medicine and women's health care.  She has spent nearly a decade caring for women with symptoms of hormonal fluctuation.

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“Healthcare involves the mind, body, and soul,” says Heather. “And helping women with their hormones can touch all three, because they play a huge part in mental health and emotional wellbeing. I can’t tell you how often a patient will tell me, once her hormones are better regulated, “I thought I was going crazy, but now I feel normal and well.”

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Heather experienced the power of proper treatment personally: “At 44, I hit perimenopause and couldn’t sleep, gained weight, had no mental focus, and suffered from soaking hot flashes so bad that I often had to change my nursing scrubs,” she says. “Hormone replacement therapy changed my life.”

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She has been mission-driven her entire career, finding time to found a non-profit to assist women escaping domestic violence and recovering from sexual trauma. Now Heather is tackling a new challenge: earning her certification as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.

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For almost three decades, Dr. Goldman has been a Clinical Professor in the department of OB/GYN at UCSF, where she is also the Director of the Gynecology Center for Cancer Survivors and At-Risk Women. In addition to her role as Midi’s Chief Clinical Officer, she is a nationally recognized expert in the management of women’s health issues, including menopause, for women with cancer or at high risk. She has helped author guidelines in these areas for the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG). She is on the survivorship panel for the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) where she is the Chair of the menopause panel and the Co-Chair of the sexual functioning panel, which provide guidelines in these topic areas for practicing oncologists. Throughout her career, Dr. Goldman has received numerous recognitions, including: San Francisco Magazine: Top Doctors (2015-2022), America's Top Doctors for Cancer (7th-10th Edition) and Exceptional Women In Medicine (2019-2021).

Dr. Aptekar is a Board Certified orthopedic surgeon with more than three decades of experience supporting bone health in many roles, including Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Stanford University. He trained at the University of Michigan and Stanford University and did research at the National Institutes of Health. Partnering with Midi, Dr. Aptekar serves as a consultant on women’s bone loss during the menopause transition. “After years of treating the effects of bone loss as a surgeon, I’m looking forward to supporting Midi programs focusing on the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, because there is so much we can do to prevent fractures as women age.”