One of the unique features of the Corpus Christi Birth Center is the fact that the midwives and birth assistants always work together as a team. When you choose CCBC for your care, you are not getting just one individual, you get a whole team who will participate together in your prenatal care, attend your birth and follow you through postpartum and newborn care as a team.
Your care team at CCBC will consist of your primary midwife and her birth assistants and/or student midwives.
Meet the Team:
Kristine (Kris) Devens LM, CPM
Midwife, Owner & Clinical Director of CCBC.
Kris Devens has moved into the Ownership position at CCBC as of June 1, 2022!
Kris is a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) and Licensed Midwife (LM) in the states of Texas and Minnesota. She is both Clinical Director and Administrator of Corpus Christi Birth Center.
Kris has attended over 300 births and has 10 years of experience serving families through the prenatal, birth and postpartum journey. She has experience serving families with special circumstances such as VBAC’s (including after multiple cesareans), multiples and vaginal breech delivery. She also has special training in Spinning Babies bodybalancing and works with clients to achieve optimal fetal positioning and preparedness for birth, therefore, improving outcomes and reducing the need for hospital transport.
Kris has a heart for teaching and training a variety of birthworkers. She is a NARM certified preceptor. As the number of families seeking out-of-hospital birth and midwifery continues to drastically increase, she is prepared to help train up the future generation of midwives and birth workers.
Kris teaches Childbirth Education classes that are open to everyone, regardless of where they are getting care or intend to deliver. Kris also obtained her Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC) in 2019 and has a passion to assist mothers in their breastfeeding journey.
Midwifery Affiliations:
- Association of Christian Birth Professionals – 2021 to present
- Midwives Alliance of North America – 2017 to present
- Minnesota Council of Certified Professional Midwives – 2017 to present
Education:
Kris studied midwifery under a very talented Certified Nurse Midwife, named Ruth Wingeier in Minnesota. She completed her training and received her CPM through the North American Registry of Midwives. Kris has since completed her NARM Bridge Certificate, which is a Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC) equivalency certification. She also acquired her Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) license in 2018 and served on the local volunteer ambulance service in MN until her move to Texas in 2021. Prior to midwifery, Kris served her community as a doula and it was here she found her passion.
Previous Work Experience:
After Kris earned licensure, she and her former preceptor, Ruth continued working together in Ruth’s very busy home birth practice until Ruth retired in 2019. When Ruth retired, she entrusted her entire busy practice over to Kris.
Kris continues to manage her Minnesota practice with the help of two wonderful midwives. In May of 2021, Kris began her journey with CCBC as a staff midwife. In August of 2021 Kris, along with her husband and 4 youngest children moved to Corpus Christi as she moved in the role of Staff Midwife.
As Beth moved on to retirement in May of 2022, Kris moved into the role as Owner and Clinical Director of CCBC. It is her vision to see midwifery flourish in the coastal bend and beyond. She is passionate about informed care and shared decision-making.
Certifications:
- Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM)
- NARM Bridge Certificate
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC)
- Licensed Midwife in Texas & Minnesota (LM)
Katy Smolik, RDH, BSDH, CBS
Birth Assistant, Student Midwife, and Breastfeeding Specialist
A native of the Coastal Bend, Katy holds a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from Texas Woman’s University and is a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist. Having personally experienced both in-hospital and birthing center deliveries, she is acutely aware of the limited at-home resources for breastfeeding support, especially when a mother chooses not to birth in a hospital. Katy provides in-home and in-office prenatal and postpartum breastfeeding support and consultations. She also teaches classes about breastfeeding and how to use essential oils for pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.
Katy has a profound desire to share her personal and professional experiences to help parents achieve their breastfeeding goals.
Some Personal Information:
Katy has been married to her high school sweetheart, Mitch, since 2005. They have 3 wonderful boys: Hayden, Corbin, and Eli. Katy enjoys spending time outside in her garden, watching her chickens, riding horses, and crocheting in her free time.
Education and Certifications:
- Coastal Bend College Dental Hygiene graduate – 2005
- Texas Woman’s College Bachelor of Science Dental Hygiene graduate – 2015
- American Heart Association Healthcare Provider: CPR/AED/BLS – 2003-present
- American Academy of Pediatrics Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP) Program – 2020-present
- Certified Breastfeeding Specialist – 2020-present
Dona Garcia, RMC Certified Coder
CCBC Business Office Manager
Dona joined our team in September of 2016 and comes to us with 17 years of experience in the medical field as an insurance biller. Dona is a Certified Insurance Biller.
Dona has a passion for patient/client relations and really loves dealing with the insurance companies on the patient’s behalf.
Dona has been married for 33 years, has three “children” ages 38, 32, and 28 and four grandchildren. Family, baking and serving her community are the passions that keep her constantly on the go. The perfect day is spent with family and friends, cooking and baking and just spending time together.
She and her family are involved in Christian Warriors Retreat, Veterans Serving Veterans is closest to her heart, as her husband, both sons and many family members have served in our Armed Forces. She has been to 14 countries and 43 states, and is a Native New Yorker. Dona is also an active member at South Shore Christian Church. She signs music as part of her ministry due to a hearing loss. Her dream is to create a “deaf choir” for those that cannot hear so they can see God through Music.
Dona’s favorite saying is “I am a survivor because: I can do all things through him who gives me strength Philippians 4:13″
Elizabeth (Beth) Overton, LM, CPM
Retired Midwife, Founder of CCBC
Beth has been a Texas Licensed Midwife (LM) since 1998 and has attended over 400 deliveries. She is a direct entry midwife and a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) through the North American Registry of Midwives. Her specialty is out-of-hospital delivery including home and birth center. In May of 2012, Beth opened Corpus Christi’s first free-standing, state licensed birth facility, the Corpus Christi Birth Center. Beth retired in 2022 and has since taken up the hobby of raising chickens and a garden, something she did not have time to enjoy previously.