Marisa Rose Bryman, CNM

Certified nurse-midwife Marisa Bryman, like many midwives, came to the profession with a spirit of activism and a desire to transform a vitally important part of health care. “The way we experience care in some of the most vulnerable moments of our lives affects us deeply and even affects future generations,” she shares. 
As an undergraduate at University of California – Berkeley, Marisa studied social justice movements and became interested in promotion of health care access as a human right. “For five years, I volunteered in a free clinic that offered primary care and sexual/reproductive health care,” she says. “I entered that experience still thinking that I might work in health policy, but at a certain point I realized that I really loved clinical care. I felt so excited when I decided that I could actually do that.” Marisa completed a Master of Science in nursing with a focus on nurse-midwifery from Yale University. 
Marisa’s clinical interests go beyond pregnancy and birth. She works with her patients to choose the right birth control for their goals. She also uses her language skills to empower more people to be informed decision-makers about their own health care. 
“I find it rewarding when I'm able to provide care that leaves someone feeling safe, respected, supported and joyful,” Marisa says. “I find that a lot of people have low expectations of health care. Once they receive care from midwives, it's such a positive experience that it can help repair their relationship with health care providers. As a midwife, I know how important it is to be able to take the time to support my patients' emotional well-being and not just the physical.” 
Marisa spends a lot of time outdoors with her partner and three young kids camping, hiking, playing in parks and riding bikes. “I love to work in my garden and build things around my house,” she says. “I think that if I hadn't chosen a career in midwifery, I would be really happy learning to master my skills as a wood worker/carpenter!”