Our History

The Oregon Doula Association serves as a unifying, inclusive, statewide professional organization for all doulas.
We provide support and resources for doulas.
We publicly educate on and advocate for the benefits of doula care.

**ODA Inauguration Meeting, March 2015**
From left to right: Heather Meyer, Raeben Nolan, Kimberly Porter, Courtney Everson, Krystal Stanley, Leticia West, Tricia Merritt, Tierra Salmon, Deb Catlin, Jesse Remer

**Oregon Doula Conference, October 2024**
Left to right: Sara Luna (Program Assistant), Eva Marie (Board Member/Secretary), Martha Rivera (Executive Director), Tisha West (Board Member/Membership Chair), Katie Minich (Researcher), Raeben Nolan (Board Member/VP), Jesse Remer (Board Member/Education Chair), Rebecca Durlin Smith (Board Member/Treasurer), Tamara Martinez (Board Member),
Iris Bicksler (Board Member/President)

In 2011, House Bill 3311 passed through the Oregon State Legislature. HB 3311 explored the role of doulas in improving birth outcomes for marginalized communities. This initial legislation was prompted by Shafia Monroe, midwife and Founder of the International Center for Traditional Childbearing (ICTC), and colleagues.

Through this, it was evident that a statewide professional doula organization was essential for adequately representing the interest of doulas during integration into the health care system. A workgroup of statewide doula professionals was thus convened and from this collaborative envisioning, the Oregon Doula Association (ODA) was formed.

The ODA established relationships with the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Office of Equity and Inclusion (OHA and OEI), the Division of Medicaid Assistance Programs (DMAP), and several Oregon legislators. ODA representatives hold seats on the THW Commission and subcommittees.

Now, state entities, doulas, and community organizations seek ODA for guidance in matters related to doula care, Medicaid reimbursements, and systems integration.

**2025 Board Retreat**
Top L→R: Raeben Nolan, Delia Flores, Bess Jayme, Eva Marie, Tamara Martinez, Meg Wills
Middle L→R: Desha Holden-Nelson, Iris Bicksler, Martha Rivera (Executive Director)
Bottom L→R: Rebecca Durlin Smith, Sarah Wort, Liz Farmer

Our Vision

We want every doula working in Oregon to have the support and resources to succeed in a sustainable career.

We want every family in Oregon to have equal access to compassionate and professional doula care, allowing them to feel supported, empowered and safe.

This will result in improved health outcomes and equity for all parents and babies.

Our Goals + Values

♥ We represent the mutual interests of Oregon doulas through collaborative dialogue, professional development, and supportive resources.

♥ We advocate for the increased integration of all doulas as the standard of care in maternity care. we do this through public relations activities and education to families, care providers, third-party payers, and healthcare systems.

♥ We aim to enable doulas to be fully and appropriately integrated with sustainable careers in the maternity care system through involvement in state legislation, policy formation, grant writing, and activism.

♥ We work to improve professional standards, endorse appropriate scopes of practice, and uphold professional codes of ethics.

♥ We are an inclusive organization that actively seeks to foster diversity. We include peer support practices among individuals and families of any social identity, worldview, and background.

♥ We will improve maternal and infant health outcomes, ensure health equity, and practice evidence-based

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