Support Kelly McDermott and Sage-Femme Midwifery

Anyone who has ever had the privilege of being cared for by Kelly McDermott can attest that her "low tech, high touch" approach to care is part of what makes her so exceptional. Still turning to pen and paper for her charting, you will never find Kelly pushing papers or in sitting front of a computer screen - but always at her mamas' sides.

To provide the level of care that has become the Sage-Femme legacy, Kelly has delegated the "behind the scenes stuff," as she calls it, to her "team."

Unfortunately, that trust and the good name of Sage-Femme Midwifery was abused.

Kelly entrusted members of her team to order 40 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and to administer them to those women under her care who sought them. Instead, two of those team members are alleged to have "created more than 2,600 false entries in the state’s vaccination database and distributed fake COVID-19 vaccination cards..."

According to court records, one individual - a nurse, who also acted as the administrative assistant - has plead guilty to the charges against her.

The other individual, a fellow Midwife, also admits her guilt. Per a campaign launched supporting that midwife, "Her defense is that the vaccinations were ineffective and harmful and to administer them would violate the Hippocratic oath of health-care professionals."

Kelly maintains her innocence and vehemently denies being present for, taking part in or having any knowledge of their scheme. She is anxiously awaiting her day in court, where she will present mountains of evidence that supports this truth.

Unfortunately, despite our country's claims of one being innocent until proven guilty, due to the charges against her, multiple insurance companies have deemed - in some cases, just days before delivery and without notifying patient - that Kelly is "no longer authorized to provide care" for them. Thus, they are no longer paying for the services she provides. These are payments that Sage-Femme relies on to keep their doors open, to make evidence-based practice available to those who would otherwise do without (such as genetic testing and hearing screenings for babies born in the Amish community) and to cultivate a culture of informed, individualized care.

This unexpected loss of revenue, in addition to the substantial legal fees she has had to pay to prepare her defense, has left the future of Sage-Femme in a precarious position.

The trickle effect of Kelly's model of care can be seen in many places. Changing the Culture of Birth first takes place within the birthing family. The love given and received during the moments of care in the form of education, consent, support, and encouragement, can be credited to this change. Many families can attest to Kelly supporting their generations. After decades of serving families in this community, it has become common for Kelly to catch the babies of women whose own births she once attended. This love will indeed continue to be passed on.

After working with Kelly, many birth worker professionals can confess that they aspire to pay tribute to this model with each life they touch, promoting "what birth should look like" to those they are supporting - even outside of the home birth setting. I am one of those birth workers: A Registered Nurse working within hospital systems showing patients, peers, and professionals "a better way."

Many families seeking Kelly's care can best be described as "birth refugees." In a country where obstetrical violence, birth trauma, postpartum PTSD, "Maternity Care Deserts," and the highest rate of Maternal Mortality in the organized world exists (and continues to worsen), Sage Femme offers an exception.

Sage Femme's mission is the exception.

After her arrest, many of us asked desperately what we could do for her, how we could help.

Because she would never ask for it herself, I have decided to start this fundraiser on Kelly's behalf so that those who are looking for a tangible way to support her have a means to do so.

100% of these donations will be passed on to Kelly and to ensure Sage Femme Midwifery's ability to continue Answering the Call.