Meet the Team

MEET THE TEAM

Kim Palmer - Meet the Midwife

Kim Palmer LM, CPM

Native to the Pacific Northwest, I have been active in birth work since 1995. Doing extensive work as a doula and as a student midwife has made my skills sharp. I sat for the national exam for the North American Registry of Midwifery in 2012. I am currently licensed with the state of Idaho and Washington. I am an active member of the Idaho Midwifery Council and NACPM.

I have been married to my sweet guy since 1987. When weather permits, we camp regularly and enjoy fishing, canoeing and exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest. We both love to garden and find unique and tasty ways to eat what we grow. Our love of travel has taken us to foreign countries where we enjoy sampling local cuisines & experiencing diverse cultures. Together we have raised two wonderful daughters who have married fantastic men. They have made us grandparents to three of the greatest little people on the planet.

I have been very fortunate to travel yearly to Kenya, Africa and hope to continue.  My humanitarian work there includes sponsoring school age girls with tuition to a school specializing in “rescuing” girls at risk for FGM (female genital mutilation/female circumcision).  I also work very hard raising funds for a remotely located Maasai Days for Girls International Enterprise where the women construct and distribute  washable, reusable menstrual kits to school age girls. I have also been graciously welcomed into the Maasai Tribal Midwife community in a region known as Maasai Mau where I have been asked to offer continuing education style classes to local Maasai tribal midwives.  It has been such a blessing to me and I am so thankful to be a part of something this fantastic and life-changing.

When I’m not busy with birthing clients, or snuggling on my grandbabies, I love to create.  I’m an artist at heart.  I knit, I sew, I tatt, I refinish and upcycle.  I dabble in interior design and I’ll cut across three lanes of traffic to get to an antique store.   With all that, I try diligently to balance my midwifery career with the pleasure of being a wife and grandmother.

Certifications and Experience:

  • 7 years as Student Midwife with Richelle Jolley, CPM, Dayspring Midwifery & Puget Sound Birth Center
  • 10 years as self employed doula
  • Current Member Idaho Midwifery Council
  • Current Member of National Assoc. of Certified Professional Midwives
  • Certified in Neonatal Resuscitation
  • Certified in CPR and Basic Life Support

I participate in regular Peer Reviews and Continuing Education opportunities.

  • Mercy in Action College of Midwifery
  • Certified Birth Assistant
  • Certified Doula
  • Certified Neonatal Resuscitation
  • Certified Basic Life Support/CPR
  • Certified IV/Shock Therapy
  • Current Member Idaho Midwifery Council

Megan Abel
Executive Administrator

Hi everyone! So, a little bit about me, I was born in Bremerton, WA before our family was stationed in New York, where we lived until I was in grade school. Following my Dad’s honorable discharge from the military we settled in the small town Grand Coulee.

I grew up loving the water and beautiful country and spend every chance I have in the great outdoors. I was very involved in sports, I love to stay active, and overall health and wellness is extremely important to me.

After high school I became an EMT and have been working for LifeLine ambulance services for the past couple of years. I love helping the community and it means something to me when you can add some peace and comfort to a vulnerable situation. Two years ago I was able to join a medical outreach group in Ethiopia where I worked closely with the staff and villagers, only strengthening my desire to pursue my career in the medical field. It was the most humbling and meaningful thing I had ever been a part of.

I have only been in CDA for a short time, but it has felt like my second home since my arrival. I absolutely love it here and still can’t get over its beauty. My favorite boy in the whole world (my dog, Juno) is also enjoying his new adventures as we spend a lot of our spare time exploring.

I am fairly new to the Hazel Tree family and so incredibly blessed to be here. As someone who chooses a more holistic path, it’s been such an amazing, personal, and fulfilling experience being a part of this team and getting to know all of the families who come through. Having the opportunity to work with everyone and just being a part of the process is such a gift.

Olivia
Midwifery Student

I am native to the PNW but grew up moving around and traveling internationally since I was young. My parents always had a nitch for travel and could never stay in one place so that made for an exciting life. Once I graduated high school, I decided to move over seas and served in a missions organization and provided humanitarian aid for two years. I always had a passion for holistic medicine and knew that I wanted to help others through this field. During my time serving in Ethiopia, I witnessed babies being born by local midwives which opened my eyes to a world I never knew existed. 

 
I moved back home after my travels and decided to become an Emergency Medical Techinician and worked on the ambulance for two years while I completed my prerequisites for midwifery. During this time of helping people in emergency situations, I realized that providing midwifery care would be a much more life giving career and fit my passions better than EMS. 
 
I am now a second year midwifery student and just recently moved to Coeur d ‘Alene to work under Kim at HazelTree. I feel so at home and can’t describe how right this path feels. I hope to serve my local communities while also serving internationally once I become a midwife. I am passionate to see people flourish in their best health and be apart of families as they grow. 
 
Besides being busy with midwifery, I have many other hobbies and passions. I love spending time outdoors, flipping houses or riding motorcycles with my sweet fella when we get to visit each other, cooking, anything to do with art, and spending time with my supportive friends and crazy family. Life is so good and I am blessed! 

Certifications and Experience:

  • Midwifery Student - Mercy in Action College of Midwifery
  • Certified Nursing Assistant
  • Certified Neonatal Resuscitation
  • Certified CPR
  • Current Member Idaho Midwifery Council

Selah
Midwifery Student

To pursue midwifery has been a desire of mine for many years. I’m thrilled to now getting the opportunity to train under Kim and the Hazel Tree team.
The idea that birth is natural and very much doable part of a woman’s life has been instilled in me since my youth. My mom had all four of her children at home and I one day hope to follow in her footsteps. In the meantime, my heart is to stand alongside expecting mommas and cheer them on as they bring their children earthside while also having the knowledge and practical skills to help aid moms when needed.

If drinking coffee or hot drinks in the morning is a hobby, then I definitely consider it one of mine.  A few more hobbies of mine could include playing piano, lake days, trying to keep my plants alive, and going out on the town in search of live music.  But if we’re being honest my favorite pastime is spending time with my new husband! Newly married and loving it! I am a native PNW girl. Born and raised. So naturally I’m excited to be even more firmly rooted in this community and I’m looking forward to serving many families in this area!

Certifications and Experience:

  • Midwifery Student - Midwives College of Utah
  • Certified Neonatal Resuscitation
  • Certified CPR
  • Current Member Idaho Midwifery Council