Welcome to Low Risk Maternity Care

Dr. Arnold has always had a deep passion for maternity care, a journey that began long before she became a physician. Prior to attending medical school at the University of British Columbia, she worked as a labor and delivery nurse, gaining invaluable hands-on experience in supporting growing families. After completing her medical degree in 2019, she went on to residency training at the University of Alberta.

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For Dr. Arnold, one of the most rewarding aspects of maternity care is the continuity—guiding patients through pregnancy, being there for their delivery when possible, and then helping them transition into parenthood. She also has a special interest in breastfeeding medicine and provides specialized care at Well Fed West and East clinics. 

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Outside of work, Dr. Arnold enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, often found biking, skating, skiing, or exploring playgrounds together. She also has a passion for gardening and loves growing flowers and fresh produce, which she preserves to enjoy year-round.

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Ask her about: The best vegetables for a home garden!

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Dr. Chan is passionate about maternity care and ensuring the best possible start for newborns. He completed medical school and residency at the University of Calgary.

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Inspired by his own experience of being born with a birth defect in his right ear, Dr. Chan is deeply grateful for the privilege of supporting parents through the journey of pregnancy and birth. He finds immense fulfillment in playing a role in ensuring babies are born as healthy as possible.

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In addition to his maternity work, Dr. Chan provides locum coverage at multiple family medicine clinics (though he is not currently accepting new patients).

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Outside of work, he enjoys playing and watching hockey, snowboarding, traveling, and spending time with friends and loved ones. He also has a passion for exploring new restaurants and finding the best eats in the city.

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Ask him about: Food recommendations in the city!

After completing medical school in Calgary, Dr. Chen stayed in Toronto after residency to complete further training in Low Risk Obstetrics.

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Dr. Chen is drawn to maternity and newborn care because it integrates perfectly into holistic, comprehensive family medicine. She loves developing relationships with our patients during the course of their pregnancy.

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She complements her maternity work with a general family medicine practice (not accepting new patients) and teaching in the medical school at the University of Calgary.

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Outside of work, she enjoys baking, being out in nature, and travelling.

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Ask her about: Her last performance with her community string orchestra.

​Robyn graduated from Mount Royal University’s Midwifery program in 2016 as part of the first cohort of midwifery students trained in Alberta.

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Her passion for midwifery comes from a very personal place. Experiences with the healthcare system that left her feeling unseen at times inspired her to approach her practice differently, shaping her care in a way where people feel safe, heard, and respected. She loves breaking down barriers, building genuine relationships, and fostering trust so that families can feel truly supported in their choices. Similarly, her experiences navigating the early days with her two little ones left her with a keen interest in providing meaningful postpartum care.

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Robyn continues her midwifery practice at Aurora Midwifery, where she has been since 2013, with a focus on out-of-hospital birth.

She is also a preceptor for midwifery students at Mount Royal University, and teaches prenatal, birth, and postpartum education.

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Outside of work, Robyn lives on a small homestead just outside the city with her husband, two kids, and an ever-entertaining mix of rescue animals. They run a small business selling pasture-raised eggs, and love learning more each year about growing our own food. 

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Ask her about: The latest adventures of Pickles, their pot-bellied pig.

Dr. von Engelbrechten is a Calgary native, having completed medical school and residency training at the University of Calgary. Since 2007 she has always made maternity care a part of her practice.

Heidi loves working with pregnant patients and their families. She finds it such an honour to get a glimpse into people’s lives and be a part of such a special time.

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Dr. von Engelbrechten compliments her prenatal care work with time spent focusing on perinatal mental health. She continues to seek out opportunities to further her training and integrate mental health care into her schedule. Beyond her work with patients, she has held the position of Domain Lead for Maternal Newborn Care for many years, helping to shape the training of residents in the field.

When she’s not working, Heidi loves spending time with her children, cheering them on at their various sports, baking, skiing, and travelling.

Ask her about: Her favourite Instant Pot recipe.

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Laura earned her Bachelor of Health Sciences in Midwifery from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) and has been a Registered Midwife since 2012. She has practiced in the Calgary zone throughout her career and is proud to be part of the team at the Low Risk Maternity Collective. In addition to her community-based work, she also serves as an in-house midwife at Rockyview General Hospital.

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Laura is passionate about inclusive, respectful care and is continually inspired by the privilege of building strong, trusting relationships with patients and their families. She finds deep fulfillment in supporting people to feel confident and informed as they make decisions aligned with their values and needs.

Outside of work, Laura enjoys cooking, spending time in nature, and laughing with her partner and two amazing kids.

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Ask her about: Her favourite recipe!

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A Registered Midwife with a passion for maternity care, Cassie Evans has been supporting growing families in Calgary and the surrounding area since 2008. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alberta and a Master of Midwifery from Frontier University of Midwifery and Nursing in Kentucky. Her training and practice experience span both Calgary and Tucson, Arizona.

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Cassie is honoured to be able to assist pregnant individuals and young families as they navigate the journey of growing their family while helping them to gain confidence in their ability to give birth and transition to parenthood.

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In addition to her work with the Low Risk Maternity Collective, she is the owner of Honeycomb Midwives in Calgary, and works with the collaborative care team at High River Maternity Clinic.

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Outside of work, she enjoys hot yoga, and relaxing and spending time with family and friends. 

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Ask her about: Finding balance through hot yoga.

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Dr. Fang  is a dedicated family physician who has always had a special interest in maternity care. After completing medical school at the University of British Columbia in 2011, she did her residency training at the University of Calgary (U of C).

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Dr. Fang finds great fulfillment in providing maternity care, noting that it is a privilege to be part of such a special time in a family’s life. She deeply enjoys the opportunity to journey with families through pregnancy and assist in the birth of their baby.

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In addition to her work in maternity, Dr. Fang provides care at the PCNs after-hours clinic. She is fluent in Cantonese.

Outside of work, Dr. Fang enjoys spending time with family, exploring new destinations, trying new foods, running, and embracing the beauty of the outdoors, especially in the mountains.

Ask her about: How far she went on her last run.

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Since finishing her medical school and residency in Calgary, Dr. Hanniman is excited to join the Low Risk Maternity Care group.

What she likes about maternity care: building relationships, supporting at all stages of pregnancy, providing empowerment through education around pregnancy and sexual health, giving comprehensive care for both mum and babe, and advocating for sexual health and safe evidence based care. 

On top of her maternity work she also has a general family practice.

Outside of work she loves to ski, hike, read, and travel.

Ask her about: Tips for getting your little one out on skis - she raced for 10 years and then coached kids aged 6-10 for 5 years (all while completing her medical training!).

Dr. Cara Janzen is a family physician who is passionate about birth and babies. She graduated from the University of Calgary in 2009, and completed her residency training at UofC before joining the Low Risk Maternity Clinic in 2011. 

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Dr. Janzen is committed to supporting families through pregnancy and birth and is particularly excited about our new collaborative model with midwives. 

Outside of her medical work, Dr. Janzen is a wife and mother to three vibrant children. She loves exploring as a family, especially if it involves snow, and also enjoys singing.

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Ask her about: Her favorite winter adventure!

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In the early 1990s, Shannon was part of the grassroots movement that led to the creation of Birth Unlimited, advocating for publicly funded midwifery care in Alberta.  After earning her BSc in 1995, she began working as a childbirth educator and doula, supporting families through pregnancy and birth for 18 years while raising two daughters. In 2014, she pursued her long-held goal of becoming a midwife, completing her Bachelor of Midwifery at Mount Royal University in 2018.

Having experienced midwifery care in her own pregnancies, Shannon brings a deep respect for the innate strength of women. Her practice is grounded in compassion, clinical excellence, and a commitment to personalized, evidence-based care. With a focus on postpartum care, she loves educating, supporting, and assisting families to mitigate fears they may have, and, in turn, witnessing the changes in parents as they gain confidence with their new babies.

Outside of her professional work, Shannon enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, road cycling, gardening, paddleboarding, and being with her family and their two dogs. She looks forward to the day her children may make her a grandmother.   

Ask her about: The German car repair shop that she and her husband have run for the past 33 years.

Dr. Teresa Killam has always had a special focus on women’s health. Graduating from the University of Calgary in 2003 with her medical degree, Dr. Killam completed her residency at the University of Toronto.

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Dr. Killam is particularly passionate about maternity care, where she has found great fulfillment in supporting women and their partners through the incredible transition of growing their families. 

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Killam serves as an advisor and wellness mentor for students at the Cumming School of Medicine, where she provides guidance on both professional development and personal well-being. She also practices women’s mental health counselling, helping women navigate the complexities of mental health through different life stages.

Outside of her medical practice, Dr. Killam is a dedicated mother of three active children who enjoys taking walks with her dog at Nosehill Park and cherishes her time outdoors.

Ask her about: What it’s like to parent twins!

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Dr. Ty Kim is a dedicated family physician with a passion for providing full-spectrum care, including maternity medicine. He completed medical school at the University of Alberta before pursuing his residency at the University of Calgary.

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Dr. Kim finds maternity care especially rewarding, as it allows him to support families during one of the most meaningful moments in their lives. He appreciates how it complements his role as a hospitalist at Foothills Medical Centre, enabling him to care for patients across all stages of life. Witnessing the excitement of welcoming a new baby and helping families grow is one of the highlights of his practice.

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Outside of medicine, Dr. Kim enjoys his morning coffee ritual (when time allows), golfing in the summer, and skiing or snowboarding in the winter. He is fluent in Korean.

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Ask him about: His latest food discovery while traveling!

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Dr. Lord has always called Calgary home, completing her medical school and residency training here. She has been delivering babies at the Foothills Medical Centre since she started in practice in 2013.

She is convinced that she truly has the best job, and she loves supporting and empowering women in their journey to becoming mothers.

On top of her maternity work she also has a full scope family medicine practice.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her two young children, and working out.

Ask her about: Her long-time love of playing soccer.

Dr. MacDonell is a full scope family physician with a special interest in maternity care. After completing medical school at the University of Calgary in 2017, Dr. MacDonell pursued residency training in Calgary.

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She finds it incredibly meaningful to be part of such an extraordinary moment in a family's life. Being able to support patients through pregnancy and birth is a privilege that brings her great fulfillment.

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Beyond maternity care, Dr. MacDonell also works as a hospitalist and in general family practice.

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Outside of work, she enjoys skiing, hiking, traveling, reading, and spending time with her family and dogs.

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Ask her about: Her favourite recipe or the last thing she baked.

Prior to her medical school training, Dr. Nahirney’s interest in maternity care was sparked working as a program coordinator for maternal and child health initiatives in rural Uganda. She went on to complete medical school at the University of Alberta, followed by residency and advanced training in Maternal and Newborn Care at the University of Calgary.

Dr. Nahirney loves that maternity care offers a rare window into human transformation — not just physically, but emotionally and socially. She feels that watching someone grow into parenthood is a privilege, and being part of that transformation, while helping her patients feel confident and heard, never stops feeling meaningful.

Dr. Nahirney also practices Low Risk Obstetrics at the Rockyview Hospital, and works in Lactation Medicine.

Outside of work she loves travelling, especially to visit family in Vancouver and Saudi Arabia, trying new coffee shops and restaurants in Calgary, and learning new languages.

Ask her about: How to say hello in the languages that she is currently learning on duolingo -  Spanish, Ukrainian, and Arabic at the time of writing!

With over 30 years of experience in family medicine, Dr. Northcott is a dedicated and passionate physician who continues to find joy in caring for patients of all ages. A proud graduate of the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 1993, Dr. Northcott completed their residency in Calgary, and has since established a rewarding career that spans rural, remote, and international medicine.

Dr. Northcott finds deep satisfaction in providing comprehensive care, with a special fondness for maternity care. "Even after all these years, I still love those babies!"

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Outside of the clinic, she enjoys exploring the outdoors with friends and family. She is fluent in French, with working knowledge of German and Spanish.

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Ask her about: Volunteering with Doctors Without Borders.

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Dr. O’Reilly is a Calgarian through and through, having done her medical school and residency in our beautiful city.

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After over a decade practicing Low Risk Obstetrics, she continues to find joy in walking with people through a very exciting time in their lives.

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Along with her maternity work she provides care at the IUD clinic and the Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network Access 365 clinic.

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Outside of work, she likes to hike, play soccer, and hang out with her family.

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Ask her about: Her favourite summer hike.

Dr. Spence is a highly experienced family physician whose career has spanned full-scope family practice with a focus on maternity care, hospital inpatient services, and leadership roles in obstetrics. A graduate of the University of Alberta in 1988, she completed their family medicine residency in 1990.

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With a strong commitment to women's health, she joined the Low Risk Maternity Clinic in 1997, finding great joy in the field of obstetrics, particularly the privilege of being part of some of the most memorable moments in families’ lives.

Dr. Spence has taken on significant leadership roles, including serving as the Site Lead for Family Medicine Obstetrics at Foothills Medical Centre, and then as the Maternal Newborn Section Chief, and now in her current role as Clinical Deputy Department Head of the Department of Family Medicine. Her work in these roles has shaped the delivery of family-centered maternity care for countless families.

Outside of her professional life, Dr. Spence enjoys spending time painting, biking, paddleboarding, and wakeboarding. 

Ask her about: Her two grandchildren!

Monique earned her Midwifery degree from the University of British Columbia, with her clinical training completed in both urban and rural communities across British Columbia, as well as internationally in Uganda. Since graduation, she has been practicing in the Calgary zone, most recently focusing on community midwifery care in Airdrie.

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A Registered Midwife and Lactation Specialist, Monique Unrau is passionate about building strong relationships with families and supporting the parent-baby dyad to thrive—particularly during the postpartum period, which she considers the heart of her practice.

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Outside of work, Monique volunteers as a patient care provider at Rosedale Hospice, and finds joy in being out in nature, cycling, yoga, and gathering with friends and family over nourishing meals—often featuring her homemade bone broths or sourdough bread. 

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Ask her about: Her small business that grows garlic in the Slocan Valley.

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Dr. Wewala is excited to return to Calgary after completing her medical school at the University of Alberta, followed by Family Medicine Residency at McMaster University, and a fellowship in Low Risk Obstetrics at the University of Toronto. She practiced in Toronto for 2 years before joining the Low Risk Maternity Care team.

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In her practice, she enjoys being a part of such a joyous and meaningful time in her patients’ lives, and being able to provide holistic care to both mom and baby. She rounds out her clinical time working in the Sunridge Family Medicine Teaching Clinic.

When she is not working, she loves to run, practice hot yoga, read, travel and hike.

Ask her about: The last book she read.

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