I became a nurse-midwife in 1987 because I wanted to help women feel more in control when they were giving birth to their babies.  I think everyone feels happier when they have information and can participate in choices that affect their health and the well-being of their families.  I feel my role, in addition to making sure that everything is going well with mother and baby from a medical standpoint, is to teach and to offer support.  Every family is different and I enjoy getting to know each one and responding to their individual needs and desires. 

I was raised in New York City.  My Mom descended from Sephardic Jews from Spain and spoke Ladino, so I heard a little bit of this form of Spanish while growing up.  I studied Latin American literature in college and had the opportunity to study abroad for a semester in the beautiful city of Cuernavaca, Mexico.  When I returned, I became a teaching assistant at the university and helped teach the introductory Spanish classes.  I studied midwifery at the University of California and did my practicum in clinics in San Diego where I really got to use my Spanish. 

I have two children, a boy and a girl, and took time off or worked part-time for several years, so I could be there for them while they were small.  Now I am happy to be back with the new Moms and Dads and babies and feel very grateful to be part of this special time in their lives.  

Send mail to drdott@cimasalud.net with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 05/25/05