Dr. Kaleen Richards, DNP, CNM, APRN, FACNM
President, Tree of Life Birth & Gynecology | President, Florida Chapter of Birth Centers
Dr. Kaleen Richards began her journey in maternal and infant health in 1996 as a doula and childbirth educator. Guided by a deep respect for the physiology of birth, she has always viewed childbirth not as a medical event but as a normal bodily function that deserves support—not control.
She earned her Associate Degree in Nursing from Brevard Community College in 2000 and began her clinical career at Arnold Palmer Hospital, caring for families on the antepartum and intrapartum units. She went on to complete her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2002, and immediately pursued her Master of Science in Nursing at Frontier Nursing University, graduating as a Certified Nurse Midwife in 2006.
In 2011, Dr. Richards founded Tree of Life Birth and Gynecology, offering holistic GYN care and home birth services. She opened her first birth center in 2012, followed by a second location in 2014. She currently owns and operates a thriving practice and birth center in Altamonte Springs, Florida.
A mother of three adult sons—two of whom were born at home under the care of a licensed Florida midwife—Dr. Richards brings both professional and personal insight into the world of midwifery. Her life’s work has been grounded in the belief that all families deserve respectful, evidence-based, and empowering care.
With a passion for global maternal health, Dr. Richards has traveled to Haiti, the Philippines, and Cambodia to teach midwifery and provide care to underserved communities. Her commitment to serving vulnerable women and families extends beyond borders and fuels her advocacy for birth equity.
A strong advocate for perinatal mental health, she was trained by Postpartum Support International (PSI) and served as the Florida regional coordinator from 2014–2019. She continues to champion maternal mental wellness through clinical care and policy work.
Dr. Richards is the current Treasurer and Legislative Chair of the Florida Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). She played a key role in the passage of the 2022 Florida legislation that granted nurse midwives full autonomous practice authority, expanding access to midwifery care across the state.
She also serves on the Board of the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers and is an active member of the American Association of Birth Centers. As President of the Florida Chapter of Birth Centers, she leads statewide efforts to expand access to midwifery-led care.
In 2024, she launched the nonprofit Tree of Life Community Roots, focused on addressing maternity care deserts in Florida. The organization provides comprehensive mental health screenings, diagnostic services, and care plans for those experiencing Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders.
Dr. Richards is a Fellow of the American College of Nurse-Midwives and continues to lead with passion, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to safe, respectful, and community-based care—both locally and globally.