Our Director of Midwifery has attended over 500 Home Births

Kristen Klein, Director of Midwifery
– Credentials: LM, CNM

Kristen was first inspired to support women in birth after hearing about doulas following her training as a massage therapist. However, she didn’t start to take steps into the birth world until after the birth of her first child in 2002, when she realized that her birth experience could have been significantly better if she had been given the information and support she had needed. She started attending births as a DONA trained doula in 2005 and by 2008 realized that she needed to continue on this path and take the next steps in supporting families as a midwife. The first step was nursing school, which she finished in 2011 and then began working as a birth assistant in the home setting for another local midwife. She went on to attend Frontier Nursing University for her Master’s degree in midwifery and has been practicing in the capital district since graduating in 2018. Kristen has attended over 500 births in primarily the home setting, but also the hospital as well. Informed consent is at the foundation of her care model and supporting families through the most important moments of their lives is what drives her passion for this work. She is excited to be offering services in her community for many years to come!

Cara Finkle
– Credentials: LM, CNM, CLC

Cara Finkle, is a midwife at Southern Adirondack Midwifery with a lifelong passion for birth. Her interest in childbirth began as a child and deepened after the birth of her own first child. Cara spent six years working as a registered nurse at Burdett Birth Center in Troy, where she honed her skills in maternal care. Though she valued her experience there, she always felt a calling to the home birth setting. In 2021, she made the transition to supporting families in their homes, where she truly felt at home. During her three years in midwifery school, Cara served as the primary birth assistant before moving into the role of midwife at Southern Adirondack Midwifery. She is also a Certified Lactation Counselor, further expanding her ability to support families during the postpartum period. In her free time, Cara enjoys spending time with her family, camping, gardening, reading, and cooking/baking.

Hannah Gregory
– Credentials: RN, BSN, Certified Doula

Hannah Gregory is a registered nurse and birth assistant that has over seven years of experience supporting homebirth, and almost four years of experience as a labor and delivery nurse at Burdett Birth Center. She first became interested in birth and the midwifery model of care after shadowing at a labor and delivery ward in Togo, West Africa. Hannah grew up in a family of 9 and has always loved caring for growing families through many outlets including nannying and postpartum doula support. She is thrilled to be part of a practice where informed decision making, comprehensive pregnancy care, and holistic wellness are supported and fostered. She enjoys spending time with family, including a growing number of nieces and nephews, camping, hiking, crafting, spending an afternoon at a coffee shop with a friend, and seeing the world through traveling to new places. Hannah plans to continue her education in the future with the goal of becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife.

Amanda Simpson
– Credentials: RN, BSN

Amanda Simpson, RN, BSN is a birth assistant working for Southern Adirondack Midwifery. She spent ten years as a primary care nurse and four years in an outpatient infusion center before following her passion for pregnancy and childbirth. That passion deepened with the births of her three children—especially after experiencing a compassionate, empowering home birth with Kristen, following two hospital deliveries that left her wishing she’d found this path sooner. Amanda feels honored to support families as they welcome their babies in an environment that prioritizes informed, gentle care. Looking ahead, Amanda hopes to pursue midwifery certification in the future.

In her free time, Amanda enjoys being active outdoors with her family, seeing live music, and reading. A longtime vegan for reasons of health and compassion, she believes this lifestyle deepens her empathy and sense of connection—qualities she brings with her to every birth.

Claire Lanahan
– Credentials: RN, BSN

Claire is a registered nurse with a passion for women’s health, birth, and maternal care. She spent 2.5 years working on the Labor and Delivery unit at Saratoga Hospital and previously worked in the Saratoga Hospital OB/GYN office while completing her nursing education. Her experiences in both hospital and outpatient settings have strengthened her commitment to supporting families throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.

Claire is excited to bring her knowledge and experience within the midwifery model of care, with a particular appreciation for the time, presence, and individualized support it offers birthing people and their families. Her nursing background has fostered a deep enthusiasm for birth, holistic pregnancy and postpartum wellness, and reproductive health. She is committed to providing compassionate, equitable, and evidence-based care while honoring each person’s unique needs, values, and birth experience in the comfort of an out-of-hospital setting.

Claire enjoys spending time with her family and is a proud aunt to her niece and nephew. She loves hot yoga, traveling, exploring new farmers markets, and is an enthusiastic espresso lover.

Joslyn Naberezny
– Credentials: RN

Joslyn is a registered nurse with over four years of experience supporting labor, birth and postpartum at Burdett Birth Center. She first became interested in birth during nursing school when learning about the midwifery model of care; since her passion has deepened even further for informed and empowered care. Joslyn is excited to continue supporting families through meeting their babies in an environment that supports informed decision making, holistic and compassionate care.

In her free time, Joslyn likes to read, travel, and cook (she is also learning how to knit!). She is currently working on her BSN.

Our photography is graciously provided by April Newman Photography, Jayana LaFountaine at Jayana LaFotos, Bridget Stasko and Sydney K Andrew Photography.

About Us

Kristen Klein, Director of Midwifery– Credentials: LM, CNM

Cara Finkle– Credentials: LM, CNM, CLC

Hannah Gregory– Credentials: RN, BSN, Certified Doula

Amanda Simpson– Credentials: RN, BSN

Claire Lanahan– Credentials: RN, BSN

Joslyn Naberezny – Credentials: RN