Alexandra Pape, MSN, APRN, CNM, WHNP-BC

Drawn to women’s stories: "I became a nurse in 2012 and have spent most of my career in OB/GYN care—from high-risk inpatient women’s health to labor and delivery. Caring for people has always been part of who I am. I grew up in a family that ran a funeral home for generations, where listening and supporting people during life’s hardest moments was simply part of daily life. Early in my nursing career at Evanston NorthShore, I cared for women facing everything from complex gynecologic surgeries to high-risk pregnancies, and I quickly realized how often women’s experiences and concerns were overlooked."

An “aha” moment: "While working on that same high-risk unit, I experienced a complicated pregnancy of my own and spent months admitted to the hospital. Living what my patients lived changed everything for me. I saw how much care focused on the pregnancy itself—but not always on the whole person behind it. That experience pushed me to earn my master’s degree from Georgetown University in 2018 and complete women’s health advanced practice and midwife education."

Trust and transformation: "Over the years I’ve helped build midwifery programs and supported countless women through pregnancy and birth. The most meaningful moments aren’t just the deliveries—it’s watching patients realize their own strength. When a woman sees that the courage and resilience came from within her all along, that’s the moment I know this work matters."

Listening first: "My philosophy is simple: patients deserve to feel heard, respected, and empowered in their own care. My role is to listen closely, offer thoughtful guidance, and help women feel confident making decisions about their bodies and their health."