CENTRAL FLORIDA MIDWIVES
Meet the Heart of Tree of Life Birth and Gynecology
Welcome to our Tree of Life family! We believe that your healthcare journey should be a deeply personal and empowering experience.
Our team of central Florida midwives, handpicked by Dr. Kaleen Richards, is here to guide you with compassion, expertise, and a genuine commitment to your well-being. We're more than just healthcare providers; we're individuals with unique life experiences and a shared passion for birth, gynecology, and holistic wellness.
We invite you to get to know us and experience the difference that personalized, compassionate care can make. At Tree of Life Birth and Gynecology, we're here to walk alongside you on your unique path to health and wellness.
Why choose Tree of Life?
We see healthcare as an empowering and creative process, where holistic ideals blend seamlessly with actionable solutions. We believe that you are the expert on your own body, and we are here to support you in making informed decisions. Our team is dedicated to creating a nurturing environment where you feel comfortable, confident, and truly cared for.
Owner & Founder, Certified nurse midwife
Kaleen Richards DNP, CNM , ARNP, Founder
As a nurse midwife, Kaleen has worked hard to be able to offer families many birth options over the years. She started Tree of Life to offer that personal care you don’t often receive with a hospital birth. She started out as a doula and childbirth educator before getting her RN degree. She believes all women benefit from prenatal care with a midwife due to the emphasis of the Midwifery Model on education, partnership, and natural childbirth.
Kaleen has three amazing sons, two of which were born at home with a midwife. As a health care provider, she encourages natural remedies for healing and has taken courses to increase her knowledge. She does however take pride in her ability to offer medication when necessary. Kaleen believes all women deserve to make choices during their birth process and it is an honor to help offer natural childbirth options to families in our community.
Clinical Director, Licensed Midwife, Certified Professional Midwife
David Carter-Plake M. Ed., BSM, LM, CPM, C-EFM
Nationally Certified in External Fetal Monitoring
David’s calling to midwifery and maternal-child health care started at an early age! After attending his first hospital birth at the tender age of 14 as a part of a health care careers program, he was hooked! David began working as a tech on Labor and Delivery through high school and during nursing school, continuing as a Labor and Delivery nurse in hospitals across the United States and the Caribbean.
David began attending out of hospital births as an apprentice in 2003 and as a midwife in 2005 serving diverse communities in the Midwest. He graduated from Midwives College of Utah with a Bachelor of Science in Midwifery. Seeing the need for more midwives world-wide, heknew that providing high-quality education to midwifery students was imperative. David began teaching and pursuing a degree in education to learn best practices for educating adult learners and graduated from Strayer University with a Master of Education Degree.
He is currently a doctoral student with a focus on health professions education and is nationally certified in external fetal monitoring-heart songs are his specialty!
David has a passion for providing compassionate, informed care to clients and their circle of support during the childbearing year. David is a firm believer in your body, your birth, your baby and supports clients with shared decision making during the course of their care.
David currently resides in Orlando with his Yorkie Henry. In his spare time David enjoys reading, traveling, crafting, and napping!
Licensed Midwife, Certified Practical Midwife
Brandi Corey LM CPM
Brandi’s journey into midwifery began after witnessing her sister’s home birth—an experience that opened her eyes to the power of choice and the beauty of care outside the hospital system. After comparing that with her own birth experience, she found herself drawn to the midwifery model, where trust, autonomy, and partnership take center stage.
What began as curiosity quickly became a calling, and over time, Brandi discovered just how deeply this work aligned with who she is—someone who holds space, listens closely, and shows up wholeheartedly for growing families.
With more than 18 years of birth work behind her, Brandi brings a deep respect for both the science and the sacredness of birth. Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that every person deserves to be supported, informed, and empowered in their journey. She strives to be a steady, encouraging presence—like the best friend who happens to also be a skilled clinician.
Brandi believes birth should be safe, yes, but also joyful and filled with moments of laughter. She sees humor as one of the best medicines for easing fear and making space for confidence to grow.
Originally from Oklahoma, Brandi now calls Florida home and feels incredibly grateful to be part of the Tree of Life team. She’s a wife, a proud mom of five, a dog lover, and a coffee enthusiast who never underestimates the power of a good laugh or a kind word.
Certified Nurse Midwife, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
Rebecca Starkey CNM DNP ARNP
Rebecca Starkey is a Certified Nurse-Midwife from Central Florida. She started her career focusing on science, earning a Bachelor's degree in Microbiology and Molecular Biology from UCF. Realizing a passion for public health, she pursued a Master's degree in Public Health from Nova Southeastern University.
Through her studies in public health, she recognized midwifery as a passion. She earned a Bachelor's in Nursing from Remington College of Nursing and a Master's in Midwifery from Philadelphia University. Continuing her lifelong love of learning, Rebecca earned a Doctorate in Midwifery at Thomas Jefferson University, where her focus was on shared decision-making in the context of prenatal genetic screening.
Professionally, Rebecca is passionate about evidence-based practice, risk communication, shared decision-making, and providing well-woman care in the midwifery model of care.
Outside of midwifery, Rebecca is an automotive enthusiast! She competitively drag races a very fast Mustang and is co-owner of VMP Performance. She is involved in the development of the automotive aftermarket. She also enjoys jiu-jitsu and kickboxing. She and her husband, Justin, homeschool their six energetic children. At the end of the day, everyone in their house is very tired!
Lactation Consultant
Tamiqua Torres IBCLC
Tamiqua is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Postpartum Doula and Owner of Latching in Love Lactation & Postpartum Doula Services.
She is a Lactation Consultant who wanted to do more to support her families while healing from birth and bonding with their new baby. So she decided to get trained to be a Postpartum Doula. Being a trained Postpartum Doula allows her to not only help families with feeding their baby but also to help take care of the family as a whole.
Every Tree of Life client will be given an initial appointment with Tamiqua after the birth of their baby.
Front Office Coordinator
Ashley Dexter
As a Florida native and daughter of a midwife Ashley grew up learning that birth is normal and women have the right to safely birth at home or birth centers! Ashley has 2 daughters both of them were born at home.
Ashley welcomes all our new patients into our practice during their initial consultation. She will also be the main person that you see at the front desk, and she might even be your birth assistant!
Ashley completed the AABC intensive Birth Assistant Training Course in 2022. This has allowed her to train all our birth assistants to the highest standard. She has a deep reverence and gratitude for birth work!
Medical Assistant/Lab Technician
Sharon Harrison MA
Sharon will make it her priority to ensure you are informed and comfortable during your blood draws. Since coming to Tree of Life she has been given the privilege to further advance her knowledge in accordance to the Midwifery Model of Care. In 2024 Sharon became a CAABC Certified Birth Assistant.
She enjoys being a witness to the most empowering experience a family can have. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her 2 children; Austin and McKinley. Sharon is also an avid plant collector and am always looking for new things to add to her collection.