When Special Beginnings opened its doors in 1997, David Paad was there. As a midwife, he delivered babies. As the only man in the center, he also helped move furniture, hang pictures and change light bulbs.

Today, he still changes the occasional light bulb. But his main focus is working with women and their families to bring miracles into the world. ...

Joanne Hasman remembers the moment as if it were yesterday.

She was working as a nurse-midwife at McKeesport Hospital in Pennsylvania. Standing in the break room, a feeling of purpose overwhelmed her.

"In that moment I knew in my heart that I was doing exactly what I was meant to do," ...

M egan Sapp joined the Special Beginnings family in the summer of 2008, though she has been involved with birth centers since 2002.

Her introduction to midwifery came while working at the Birth Center of Gainesville, in Gainesville, Florida. She was inspired by the compassion and care provided by the midwives there. . .

N icolette "Niki" Vallandigham was drawn to midwifery because of her experiences as a two-time Birth Center parent at a freestanding Birth Center in New Hampshire. "The care I received was exemplary. Our midwife, Chris, always included us in each decision-making process. I felt really in control of my life during the biggest transition we experience--parenthood! I wanted to share that sense of empowerment with other women and families."

Flossie Rollhauser is a board-certified lactation consultant who works at Special Beginnings, as well with the WIC (Women, Infant and Children) Program of Anne Arundel County.

Laurel completed her boards for International Board of Lactation Consultants in 2009. She works in the office, attends births, performs home visits and will now be assisting in the Breastfeeding Boutique with lactation consults, bra fittings, pump rentals, etc. Laurel has always had an interest in birth and newborns. She enjoys the families she meets and forming relationships with the family as they grow through the years.