About Us

At Cache Valley Birth Center we believe that birth is a natural, empowering experience best supported in a calm and nurturing environment.

Our center was created with families in mind—offering a home-like alternative to hospital birth that emphasizes safety, respect, and personalized care.

Led by a team of certified midwives and skilled birth professionals, we specialize in low-intervention, holistic care for healthy pregnancies.

From prenatal visits to postpartum support, we walk alongside you with compassion, evidence-based guidance, and a deep respect for your choices while creating a container of safety. 

Meet the Team

Stacy Hepner

APRN, CNM

The reason for everything I do is family. They are everything to me. My husband is my best friend and high school sweetheart. We have worked hard to build a life we are proud of. We have three beautiful children together. I adore my kids and enjoy spending time with them. I love working in my garden and reading. I love hiking, exercising, and camping. I love anything outdoors. I live for traveling and experiencing the world. 

 I love learning and have a BS in Kinetics from Utah State, a BS in Nursing from the University of Utah, and an MS in Midwifery from Frontier Nursing University. I have obtained post graduate certificates in trauma informed care and psychedelic assisted therapy.  I have worked in obstetrics since 2006 and love women’s health. I have worked in a variety of settings from clinics to hospital units such as labor and delivery, mother baby, and LDRP units. I have worked in rural community hospitals and busy urban hospitals.

I have a deep passion in caring for women. I feel honored to be in sacred spaces with women and their families. What a privilege it has been for me to witness the birth of mothers, fathers, infants, and families. I feel that aside from the work I do with my own family, the contributions I add to this world and make it better, is in mothering the mother. It is deeply meaningful to me. I cherish the opportunity I get to be present at intimate glimpses of more, the ineffable moments that don’t have words to describe them. 

 It has been my dream to open a birth center in my community for a very long time.  The maternal and infant mortality rate in the United States is astounding, despite being one of the wealthiest countries and spending the most money on healthcare, we come in at #55 in the world. European countries, such as Norway, have significantly lower rates. I believe this is due to the midwifery model of care with all women having equal access to care and being treated with respect and given autonomy in birth choices. In these European models, the Obstetricians are saved for surgical and high-risk deliveries, while midwives manage low risk uncomplicated pregnancies.

You can think of it as a midwife being a primary care provider and the obstetrician as a high-risk specialist. Hospitals are for sick people and many women in pregnancy are not sick. Hospitals are needed in obstetrics, and they do save lives. While I am deeply thankful for life saving interventions provided by hospitals, I also believe that with proper risk stratification, a birth center is a safe and affordable alternative for low intervention, holistic care for healthy pregnancies. 

Thank you for allowing me to play a small roll in your becoming. Thank you for showing me that mothers, fathers, and children show up every single day, over, and over, and over again.

“Just when a laboring mother says, I cannot, for her child she somehow does.” - Susan McCutcheon

Angela Allen

CNM

I grew up in a small tourist town in Idaho—McCall—and later moved to Utah to attend Utah State University, where I met my husband. I went on to graduate from Weber State with my nursing degree and have been working as a nurse in the emergency room for the past four years.

At home, I’m a mom to two amazing boys who keep life busy and full of joy. In my free time, I love hiking, swimming, running, exercising, and being outdoors.

I believe birth is not just about having a baby, but about the entire experience—from before conception to long after your little one arrives. A birth should be centered on what the patient wants and how they envision their experience. While emergency circumstances sometimes require a different approach to keep both mom and baby safe, women should always have a say in their childbirth journey.

My goal is to provide the support and understanding that I felt was missing in my own experience. I hope to empower women to make informed decisions about their births and to feel fully supported every step of the way.

I’m so excited to be here at Cache Valley Birth Center and look forward to learning and serving the incredible families in this community.

Amber Quayle

RN, Birth Assistant

Hi. My name is Amber, and I am so excited to be part of this incredible team. I am passionate about supporting women and families with their health, wellbeing, and sacred journey of birth. As a mother of six, I understand firsthand the sacredness, strength, and transformation that come with bringing life into the world. My family is my greatest joy, and the deep love I have for them fuels my passion for supporting other women and families on their own unique journeys.

I’m married to a hard working and supportive husband, and together we embrace the beautiful hard of raising our babies and pursuing our dreams.  I have a great love for the outdoors—hiking, mountain biking, and exploring nature. I’m passionate about fitness, yoga, and living an active, wholehearted life. I love to learn and feel like I will forever be a lifetime student.

With a strong foundation in women’s health, my heart feels most alive empowering women through the sacred process of childbirth. I believe birth is not only a physical experience, but an emotional and spiritual one—one that should be honored, respected, and supported with compassion and presence.

I have earned a BS in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition, a BS in Nursing, and certifications as a nutrition coach and personal trainer. Over the past ten years, my work as a labor nurse, doula, and childbirth educator has profoundly shaped both my professional practice and my personal calling.  I am deeply committed to helping each woman feel seen, heard, and confident in her choices. I’m here to hold space, offer strength, and help you feel safe, seen, and supported during one of life’s most beautiful transitions.

I believe in family-centered care and in creating a space where every voice matters. Being present as a new life enters the world is an extraordinary privilege—one I hold with great reverence and gratitude. As a birth assistant, I strive to be a calm presence, a strong advocate, and a supportive guide through one of life’s most beautiful and vulnerable moments.

It is also a true gift and honor to work alongside my dearest friend and colleague, Stacy. Her light, wisdom, and dedication continue to inspire me.

Kristen Minson

RN, BSN

Hi, I’m Kirsten Minson, RN, BSN, Certified Breastfeeding Specialist, and student Nurse-Midwife. My husband and I are high school sweethearts, and we spent the early years of our marriage navigating Air Force life; with deployments, trainings, and the steady stream of changes that come with early adulthood and parenthood forming our foundation.

Those early years taught me to stay patient in uncertainty, lean into community, and to move through challenges with humor and humility. These lessons and values continue to guide the way I show up as a nurse and as a midwife in training. Together, my husband and I are raising our two daughters, and our family remains the center of my work.

My journey into women’s health began with the birth of my first daughter. My curiosity and interest in women’s health led me to study biology, human development, and eventually nursing. I earned my B.S. in Biology and Human Development from Utah State University, B.S.N. from Weber State University, and I am currently pursuing my DNP in Nurse-Midwifery at the University of Utah. My research background, including work in an epigenetics laboratory exploring how nutrition influences fertility, deepened my appreciation for the subtle, interconnected processes that guide conception, pregnancy, and birth.

I’ve been fortunate to care for families through policy advocacy, pediatric nursing, community birth, and lactation support. In each setting, my aim is to listen first, understand what matters to the family in front of me, and offer guidance grounded in evidence and aligned with patient values.

My experiences with motherhood shape the way I listen, make decisions, and the care I take to protect the space each person needs to grow and tend to their own health and that of their family. I believe that by nurturing and protecting women’s health and well-being, we contribute to the foundation of the next generation. Honoring the experiences that contribute to who they are and what they value is imperative to good care. I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of a team committed to facilitating safe and empowering experiences, supporting healthy outcomes, and filling gaps in care.

Sara Kunz

RN, Birth Assistant

Hi! My name is Sara Kunz and I am so grateful to be part of this incredible team. I was born and raised in Cache Valley where I met and fell in love with my High School sweetheart. We have 3 beautiful children and one guardian angel. I graduated with my BSN from Weber State. Shortly after we were married, we moved to Pocatello while my husband completed the Pharmacy program. I charged in the ICU and Cardiovascular floors for 7 years.

My journey into women’s health is unique and sacred to me. My personal experience with Pregnancy, Labor & Delivery, and Postpartum was heartbreaking and beautiful all at the same time. I abrupted in each of my pregnancies between 8-9 weeks. I was diagnosed with Hyperemesis Gravidarum and had a PICC line for each pregnancy.

I was on bedrest for all of my pregnancies and all of my babies were born extremely early. My first son was born at 29 weeks. My second pregnancy was with twins. I lost one of our sweet babies at 20 weeks and our other miracle daughter was born at 26 week. Our youngest daughter, who is a year old now, was born at 25 weeks. My water broke at 19 weeks with her and I was in the hospital for 6 weeks leading up to her birth.

Each birth was an Emergency C-Section. My son was in the NICU for 2 months and both of my daughters for 4.5 months. I have been on the receiving end of being a long-term patient on L&D and my nurses saved my life. I have also been on the parent side in the NICU with extremely critical babies where our nurses saved me and my babies lives. Those experiences have shaped me in to the person I am today and I hope to be able to be the difference in somebody’s life the way my angel medical team was for me and my family.

I suffered with PPD and PTSD after each pregnancy and because of that, developed a passion for exercise and women’s health. I opened a group fitness studio in Pocatello because I wanted to help women who might be in a similar situation as me. That truly saved me and was one of the hardest parts about leaving. I am teaching Group Fitness classes at Sports Academy here in my spare time and absolutely love it. I am a certified trainer in Barre, yoga, Pilates, kickboxing, HIGH and spin. I love running the most and I have run 7 marathons. I am training for my second Boston Marathon in April. I love baking, specifically French macarons and I started a small home macaron business after our first daughter was born so I could be home taking care of her complex medical needs. I also have a deep love for ballet. I danced for 16 years and moving back to the valley has given me the opportunity to teach at the school I grew up dancing at, CVCB.

My greatest passion is my family. They are the reason for everything I do and everything that I am. They have taught me that life is a gift, it isn’t promised and that each second counts. They make me want to be the best person I can possibly be and not take time for granted. My second greatest passion is people. I feel like my calling in life is to have a deep understanding and love for others and because of that, be in a unique position to truly help. I am honored to have this role and look forward to sharing incredible and sacred experiences here with all of you.

Susie Smith

RN, Birth Assistant

I’m a passionate entrepreneur, registered nurse, mom of three girls, and married to my high school sweetheart. Becoming a mother and experiencing birth firsthand has been one of the most transformative journeys of my life, awakening parts of myself I hadn’t yet met and deepening my reverence for the wisdom of the female body.

Before stepping into this role, I spent eight years as a labor and delivery nurse, four of those as a charge nurse. There my love for birth, women, and empowered care continued to grow. My nursing path has also led me into hospice, postpartum, and infusion therapy, experiences that have profoundly shaped my presence, compassion, and ability to hold space during life’s most sacred transitions.

I’m an entrepreneur at heart and the creator of Hope Haven Little Homes, a boutique, on-the-go dollhouse designed to help children reconnect with their creativity and inner spark. I’m also a trauma-informed breathwork facilitator. Breathwork has been a powerful and healing tool for me to connect deeply with my body, mind, and spirit, and I hope to offer pre and postnatal breathwork classes at the birth center in the future.

Outside of nursing and motherhood, I’m most alive when I’m outdoors—skiing, snowboarding, moving my body through yoga or dance, gathering people together, and treasure-hunting while thrifting.

I am truly honored to be stepping into the role of birth assistant and would love nothing more than to support you through one of the most transformational days of your life; helping you feel safe, seen, and supported as you welcome your sweet baby into the world.

Susan Meacham

MA

I’m a busy mom of five kids and love my job as mom more than anything! I am married to my high school sweetheart and my absolute best friend. I have always been fascinated by the female body and its amazing ability to create and sustain life. I started studying it in high school and my interest only grew as I started having babies of my own.

After a rough first birth experience, I decided to dive in and start studying more to improve my own experience the next time around. I became a childbirth doula and childbirth educator and was able to spend many years helping women to have peaceful and informed pregnancies and deliveries. I was grateful for the privilege to attend and witness women in their most powerful moments as they brought their children into the world.

After my kids were a little older I began working in healthcare in both a hospital and clinical setting. I spent many years in a hospital lab as a Phlebotomist and eventually as the hospital Laboratory Supervisor. Most recently, I have spent several years working in a busy OBGYN clinic as a CCMA. I loved my time there and felt privileged to be part of such an exciting journey with each patient. I have also spent many years as a CPR and First Aid instructor with The American Heart Association.

I absolutely love helping and teaching all patients, but helping women is my passion. Working in a Birth Center has always been my dream, and I am beyond excited to get to work with Stacy and this entire team of amazing and talented women! I am so excited to be part of this much needed resource for women and families in Cache Valley.

Nicole Hock

Birth Assistant

As early as I can remember, I’ve always had a deep fascination with birth. I was the old-souled child at the fringe of motherhood gatherings, wanting to be a part of it all and absorb every detail of the conversation. As a mother of three myself now, I’m still enamored with birth, and honored to be involved in the sacredness of birth and motherhood.

After a traumatic birth experience with my first baby, I decided to educate myself and change my approach to labor and birth. This ultimately led me to becoming a doula myself, something I am still extremely passionate about.

I strongly believe in creating safe and calm environments where women are heard and respected. Empowering women to help them have positive, powerful, and physiologic birth experiences is a privilege, and I’m glad to be a part of this important work.

Outside of birth work, I enjoy spending my time gardening, baking, reading, and finding new projects. I’m a creative and tend to always be working on something. My favorite moments are quiet ones where my family and I are immersed in nature. I was born and raised in Utah County but my husband and I love Cache Valley and plan on growing old here.

Ariana Patino

MA, Birth Assistant

I have two beautiful little girls who are my pride and joy. I have been with my husband for 10 years and right now we are both branching out to further our careers.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, drinking iced tea or coke and recently started loving gardening around my house.

I have been an OBGYN Certified Medical Assistant for 7.5 years and have loved every minute of it. I found a deep passion for women’s health and can’t wait to help in births now. Right now, I assist in lots of GYN procedures and help in caring for our wonderful pregnant patients.

I have worked with Stacy Hepner for 5 of those years! Before becoming an MA, I was a CNA for 1.5 years working in skilled nursing facilities and knew I wanted to continue in the healthcare field. Currently, I’m in nursing school to obtain my RN, BSN degree. I can’t wait to gain more knowledge and continue my career in women’s health.

As a mom of two having two vastly different birth’s with some traumatic events - I can’t wait to help women have a different experience. Informed decision making, decreasing birth trauma, and having a powerful, positive and beautiful birth experience as you bring your bundle of joy into the world is my goal as I work side by side with our incredible midwives!

Karli Sorenson

Birth Assistant

I am currently working as a Medical Assistant in the float pool, but have focused in women’s health for the past three years. From the very start, I found a deep love for this field and knew I wanted to continue growing my career in caring for women through all stages of life, especially pregnancy and birth.

I am currently in nursing school working toward my RN, BSN, with the long term goal of working in Labor and Delivery once I graduate. I love learning more about birth, advocacy, and evidence based care, and I’m excited to continue expanding my knowledge so I can better support birthing individuals and their babies.

I live with my boyfriend and our cat, Mouse, who keeps life entertaining. In my free time, I enjoy weight lifting, reading books, and relaxing with a Diet DP. Staying active and grounded is important to me, and bringing that same calm, steady energy into my each interaction with patients.

As a birthing assistant, my goal is to help both mom and baby safely progress through labor and into the world feeling supported, informed, and cared for. I am passionate about providing emotional reassurance, physical support, and advocacy alongside our midwives to help create a positive, empowering birth experience for every family we work with.

Raelyn Schenk

Front Desk Coordinator

I am so excited for this opportunity to work in such an amazing environment, with providers that are so caring and knowledgeable.  I have over 2 decades of experience working the front office. I love being able to help people and get to know them too.

I have lived in Cache Valley my whole life. I married my high school sweetheart and have 4 beautiful children and 6 incredible grandkids.  I love music and I play several instruments.  My husband and I love to travel and cruises are one of our favorite ways to see the world. We have sailed through the Fjords of Norway, relaxed in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland and drank water flowing out of a glacier in Alaska.  

We enjoy motorcycle rides all over this beautiful area. You can catch me as the passenger princess on the back of his bike all summer. I also love to read and scrapbook pictures of our adventures.

I am honored to take on the role of front desk coordinator at the birthing center and look forward to contributing to a supportive and welcoming environment for patients and families.