Patty Kartchner earned a bachelor of science in zoology from Brigham Young University in 1985. She stayed home to raise her large family, returning to Oregon Health & Science University in 2009 to complete her registered nurse certification and master of science in nursing with a specialty in certified nurse midwifery.

Prior to becoming a midwife, Patty was a doula and International Childbirth Education Association certified childbirth educator.

As a midwife, Patty believes her role is to be a trusted consultant and guide for women during their pregnancy and childbirth journey. She helps her patients incorporate evidence-based information into the physical and life experience of having a child. Trusting women in birth is central to her practice.

She is particularly interested in providing support both in labor and during the emotional journey of pregnancy and childbirth.

With eight children and 13 grandchildren, family life is central to her leisure time. She enjoys reading, gardening, sewing, and cycling with her husband, who is her childhood sweetheart.