The Women’s Center is pleased to welcome Mary Lou Kopas, Certified Nurse Midwife. Mary Lou joins OB/GYN Will Ellis, MD and Midwives Kipp Bovey, Erinn Mandeville and April Vanderveer. “Mary Lou shares a common philosophy with The Women’s Center, one of providing compassionate health care with the patient at the center of that care,” says Practice Manager Grace Thompson. “She enjoys getting to know her patients and helping guide them through the miraculous and challenging journey of pregnancy, birth and parenting. And, she has an appreciation for working with patients on their reproductive healthcare and wellness issues beyond pregnancy,” continued Thompson. Her first day at Copley is February 6.
Mary Lou was born and raised in Massachusetts and has also lived in Maine and Rhode Island. For the past twenty years she has been in Seattle, Washington and has practiced midwifery at the University of Washington Medical Center. Mary Lou has had the desire to move back to this area and fell in love with Stowe/Morrisville communities. “Timing is everything. You know you have found the perfect fit when your practice and beliefs align with a new opportunity, and you fall in love with the community,” said Mary Lou.
In 2005, and with departmental honors, Mary Lou received her Bachelors of Science from the University of Washington School of Nursing. She went on to complete her Master’s in Nursing in Nurse-Midwifery at the University of Washington in June 2011. Mary Lou is certified through the American Midwifery Certification Board and is a member of the American College of Nurse Midwives.
For the past six years, Mary Lou has served as Chief of Midwifery and Nurse-Midwife at the University Washington Medical Center – Northwest. As chief of midwifery at University Washington Medicine, she supervised midwife partners, served on the hospital leadership and quality committees, as well as maintained practice guidelines to promote safe, evidence-based care. As Nurse-Midwife, she provided patient care that included prenatal, postpartum, well woman and GYN care. In addition to first assist cesarean care, she provided miscarriage care as well as contraception, including intrauterine and intradermal devices.
“‘I love being a midwife,” continued Kopas. “I look forward to working with the team at The Women’s Center and Copley Birthing Center and meeting and helping expectant parents navigate their pregnancy while preparing for motherhood. Another exciting opportunity to this new chapter, is becoming part of this wonderful community,” says Mary Lou.
Outside the practice, Mary Lou enjoys the outdoors, gardening, cooking nutritious meals, crafting and spending quality time with rescue dog, Cooper.
“We are truly fortunate to have gained someone with such experience and exceptional skills,” continued Thompson. Please join Copley Hospital and The Women’s Center in welcoming Mary Lou Kopas to the Copley Family.
The Women’s Center at Copley sees patients Monday through Friday, 8:00am–4:30pm. Call 888-8100 for an appointment or learn more about the services this team provides by visiting copleyvt.org.
About the Women’s Center at Copley
The providers at The Women’s Center are a collaborative team, working with women during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. However, midwives are not just for pregnancy. Patients see the certified nurse midwives at The Women’s Center for well-woman care, contraceptive options, menopause care, and treatment of problem gynecologic conditions and diseases. Our OB/GYN is available for higher risk pregnancy and births as well as gynecologic care.