What is a Midwife?
The certified nurse-midwives (CNM) at CT Coastal OB/Gyn practice both independently and collaboratively with obstetrician-gynecologists in order to provide safe, satisfying, highly personalized care to women. We encourage you to meet all the midwives during your pregnancy.
A CNM specializes in care of women across the lifespan. This includes independent provision of gynecologic and family planning services, prenatal care, care during labor, birth, and postpartum.
CNMs perform physical exams, make diagnoses, and order and interpret lab and diagnostic tests. They also prescribe medications, including medications for contraception and contraceptive medical devices. The CNMs at CT Coastal OB/Gyn have YNHH privileges to admit, manage, and discharge patients.
CNMs earn a graduate degree that includes training in nursing and midwifery. This degree qualifies them to sit for the national board exam administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board. Board certification allows them to use the professional designation of CNM.
To learn more about midwifery care for your pregnancy and gynecologic care, please visit ourmomentoftruth.com.
Meet Our Midwives
Tracy Wittreich, CNM, MSN
Tracy Wittreich, CNM, has been with Coastal Connecticut for almost 40 years, having earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and continuing on to earn her Master’s degree from Yale University1980. Before Tracy became a midwife, she worked at Georgetown Hospital and Yale-New Haven Hospital as a neonatal intensive care nurse. Ms. Wittreich is also a clinical instructor at the Yale University School of Nursing, is certified by the American College of Nurse-Midwives, a member of Sigma Theta Tau National Nursing Honor Society, the New Haven Obstetrical Society and the American College of Nurse-Midwives. Outside of the office, Tracy is an ardent supporter of the March of Dimes. She is the captain of “Tracy’s Team,” which walks for the nonprofit group, March for Babies, every year and for the past six years, she’s honored to be the top New Haven-area walker.
Melissa Gregorio, CNM, MSN
Melissa Gregorio joined Connecticut Coastal OB/GYN in February 2013 after obtaining her BSN from Fairfield University and MSN with a specialty in Midwifery from Columbia University. Prior to joining the team, Melissa worked as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department and Family Birthing Center at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, CT. Having extensive experience in Emergency Medicine, Melissa knew she wanted to work alongside physicians in a large hospital setting where she could provide compassionate care to all her patients, regardless of their medical backgrounds. Melissa is a Yale and Fairfield University midwifery student preceptor, and a childbirth educator for The Parent Collective. When she’s not at work, Melissa enjoys spending time with her family and reading a good mystery novel.
Diana Fitzgerald, CNM, MSN
Diana Fitzgerald, CNM, MSN comes to Connecticut Coastal Ob/Gyn after relocating from Syracuse, NY where she has provided care to women and their families for more than 25 years. After working as a Labor and Delivery Nurse for more than 10 years, Diana became a Midwife in 2006 with a Masters degree from SUNY Stonybrook. Diana has experience with global healthcare and education and is passionate about multi-cultural care. She also enjoys caring for adolescent young women. Diana believes in the bridging of integrative holistic care with Western medicine to provide women with an individualized approach to their care. She enjoys yoga, and is registered as a teacher with Yoga Alliance. In her free time, she loves enjoying nature while hiking and camping.
Shangyne Samuels, CNM
Cameryn Lacey, CNM, DNP
Cameryn Lacey earned both her Masters of Science in Nursing and Doctorate of Nursing Practice in Nurse Midwifery from Columbia University in the City of New York. Cameryn understands the importance of collaboration, communication, and maintaining a composed goal-oriented environment. She has an undeniable urge to provide a safe space for all patients to be themselves and receive the best care possible. Cameryn believes that pregnancy and birth are such an intimate moment in an individual’s life and vows to actively listen, provide support and ensure the patient feels comfortable sharing both the joys and anxieties they may be experiencing. In her free time, Cameryn loves to perfect new sourdough recipes, watch the Food Network, engage in random side quests like skydiving and spend as much time with her friends and family as possible.