Care That
Supports You
The Cowichan Maternity Clinic provides compassionate, team-based care for expectant parents and their growing families. Our dedicated team of physicians, nurses, registered midwives, and social workers offers comprehensive prenatal, birth, and postpartum support. Learn more about our approach, services, and the people who are here to support you.
The Cowichan Maternity Clinic is an initiative of the Cowichan Valley Division of Family Practice. Our goal is to ensure pregnant people in the area have access to high quality, regular maternity care and that the region has a primary health care system that meets the needs of its residents.
- Our mission is to deliver exceptional care during the journey to becoming parents. The health and safety of the person who is pregnant/pregnant person and baby are always our top priority.
- With extensive and comprehensive training, we are qualified experts in our field.
- We use current best evidence to support the natural process of pregnancy and birth.
- We believe in family-centred care, providing support and information to mothers, partners and families through every step of pregnancy, birth, and post-partum.
- Our team works in partnership with pregnant people and their families. We aim to create a safe space to discuss your questions and we respect choices made by pregnant people and their families.
Our clinic offers complete care for pregnant people throughout their pregnancies, births and up to six weeks post-partum. As a patient at Cowichan Maternity Clinic, you will be assigned to one of our physicians or registered midwives for your pre- and post-natal care, and will also have continuous care from our staff registered nurse or registered midwife. If you require an assessment or care at the labour and delivery unit for a pregnancy-related condition after 20 weeks of pregnancy, there is a CMC physician or registered midwife on-call 24-hours a day for CMC patients. To speak to a hospital staff member for advice, please call: Cowichan District Hospital at 250-737-2030 and ask for the 2N Maternity Nursing Unit.
- Pregnancy – Early pregnancy care is an important part of a healthy pregnancy and birth. As soon as you have confirmed your pregnancy, we encourage you to self-refer or have your family doctor refer you. Our role as care providers is to monitor your pregnancy for any complications and provide you with information in order to make informed decisions. We are conveniently located close to other hospital services like lab and ultrasound.
- Labour and Birth – We always have a doctor or registered midwife on-call providing 24/7 coverage for any pregnancy concerns. Do not hesitate to call the clinic or contact the hospital after hours to reach the on-call maternity doctor. The on-call practitioner and the hospital team will support you through your labour and birth.
- Post-Partum and Newborn – While in hospital, you and your baby will be visited by our maternity team. Once you and your baby have gone home, you will continue to see your doctor or registered midwife in the maternity clinic until about 6 weeks postpartum. We also offer the option of a home visit by one of our registered midwives at approximately 1 week after discharge from hospital. Some of our registered midwives are also certified lactation consultants. We will monitor the health of mom and baby, provide support and information, and connect you with community resources. We will then help transition you back to your family doctor. If you do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, we will try to help you find one.
Dr. Meghan Chabot
Meghan has been part of the Maternity Clinic team since 2013. She completed her Medical Degree at UBC and subsequently did her Family Practice residency training in Victoria. Following this, she returned home to the Cowichan Valley to practice and found a love of maternity care at the Cowichan Maternity Clinic.
Outside of medicine, Meghan enjoys spending time with her family. As a mom of two young children, she realizes the impact great maternity care has on women and their families. Meghan is honoured to be part of the Maternity Clinic team that strives to provide compassionate and quality care to women in the Cowichan Valley.
Dr. Donna Wachowich
Donna has been a member of the Cowichan Maternity Clinic since 2016. A graduate of the University of Alberta Medical School, she completed her Family Medicine residency at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Donna is passionate about maternity care and has an extensive background of family practice experience in Ontario, Alberta, and now, in her “semi-retirement” on Vancouver Island.
When not at the Cowichan Maternity Clinic or covering physician vacation leaves, Donna enjoys hiking, curling, traveling, cooking, knitting and relaxing with family and friends.
Donna appreciates the opportunity to bring outreach prenatal care to the Penelakut nation and enjoys volunteering with the House of Friendship Healthiest Babies Possible program.
Dr. Kate MacDonald
Kate has been with the Maternity Clinic since 2015. She grew up in rural Alberta but moved to Vancouver Island for university and fell in love with the coast. She earned her medical degree at UBC (Prince George campus) and completed her family practice residency in Chilliwack. She was lucky to spend time during her medical training in Duncan and realized it was a special community that she wanted to return to when she was done with her training. She feels honoured to be part of such a great team, both within the clinic and on the maternity ward. She loves working with families and being a part of such a transformative time in family’s lives.
When she is not in the Maternity Clinic, she has a Family Practice at the Somenos Medical Clinic and can be found chasing her two young kids. She enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors hiking.
Dr. Ryan Gallagher
Ryan has enjoyed being part of the Maternity Clinic team since 2014. He completed his undergraduate degree at Queen’s University and his Medical Degree at the University of Alberta. After this, he did his residency training in Victoria and practiced maternity there after graduating. He has always loved the full spectrum of family practice and finds it a privilege to be a part of people’s maternity journeys.
It was a special experience for Ryan and his family to be patients at the Maternity Clinic for both of their children. Outside of work, Ryan enjoys adventuring with his family in any medium you can use to move outdoors (kayaking, biking, hiking, skiing, etc.).
Dr. Bridget Henderson
Bridget has been with the Cowichan Maternity Clinic since 2018. She grew up in Duncan and then left for many years to wander the province, working in Engineering in Pulp and Paper. She then attended Medical School and residency in Prince George and was very excited when the opportunity arose to return to the Cowichan Valley to continue practicing medicine.
She leads a busy life with four children and when she finds time, enjoys attending dance classes. She is thrilled to be working with the Cowichan Maternity Clinic and sharing such a meaningful and memorable time with her patients and their families. Plus, the babies are really cute!
Dr. Nique Seper
Taanishi! I’m Nique (Dominique), a Métis family doctor with roots in the Red River Settlements in Manitoba on my mom’s side and a mixed European settler on my dad’s side. I grew up on Treaty 7 territory in Cochrane, AB and did medical school on Treaty 4 territory in Saskatchewan. I completed UBC’s Indigenous Family Medicine Residency Program with Duncan as my home base and have been working in the community since July 2021. When I’m not working, I am usually beading, reading, or spending time with my partner Chris and our dog Yoshi on the beach!
Dr. Surya Lakhanpal
I’m Surya Lakhanpal, a family doctor. I am the daughter of 1st generation immigrants from India who settled in the US, and was raised in Kansas City, the traditional lands of the Kaw and Osage Nations, and the current homes of the Missouria, Shawnee, and Wyandot Tribes. I completed medical school, residency, and obstetrics fellowship in the States and have been in practice since 2020, where my focus was on women’s health, both in and out of pregnancy. My family and I have recently chosen to relocate to the Cowichan Valley with hopes of a safe and happy life for our child, who loves rain, and trees, and mud puddles.Dr. Jan Hallock, DO
Meet Dr. Jan Hallock, DO, a Family Medicine Physician with the Cowichan Maternity Clinic (CMC) and a Hospitalist at Cowichan District Hospital. She provides comprehensive care across family medicine, obstetrics, and inpatient settings, supporting patients and families through all stages of care. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Dr. Hallock is committed to building strong, meaningful connections with the community she serves.
Her clinical interests include pediatrics, women’s health, and musculoskeletal care. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her partner and four children.
Hilary Busing, RM, IBCLC
My name is Hilary and I am a Registered Midwife and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. I have been working with the maternity clinic since 2022, focusing predominantly on prenatal, postpartum and lactation care.
I am originally from Ottawa but lived for many years and trained as a midwife in the UK, before moving to Cowichan in 2016. I have two young daughters, and when not spending time with my family, I can often be found at a fitness class. I love working with the team at CMC to deliver collaborative maternity care. My favourite part of the job is seeing you at home for your first postpartum visit with your new baby!
Lydia Pedri, RM
Lydia is a midwife at CMC and she’s so grateful to work with such an amazing team. She has been working in the birth world for over 20 years and has practiced as a registered midwife since 2014. Lydia is continually inspired by how every pregnancy and birth is unique, and she values the opportunity to get to know people and their diverse lived experiences along the way. Outside of clinical work, she enjoys making family meals, riding her bike in the forest and spending time with family.
Bryony Ritchie, RM
Bryony is a Registered Midwife originally from Ontario, where she completed her midwifery education. She is currently completing a Master’s degree in Midwifery, with a focus on finding ways to better serve the families in her care and in the community.
Her favourite part of this work is building relationships with the families she cares for, and aims to create a space where people feel heard and supported.
Outside of midwifery, Bryony is raising her two young children and spends as much time as she can outdoors. She enjoys gardening and reading, and is learning how to mountain bike.
Linden Lalonde, MSW RSW
I am Linden Lalonde, the healthcare social worker for the Cowichan Maternity Clinic. I grew up on the territories of the Wet’suwet’en people in northern BC and now call the lands of the Quw’utsun people home. My career has focused on supporting people facing complex challenges, including mental illness, poverty, the poisoned drug crisis, racialized violence and oppression, housing insecurity, and systemic oppression.
I completed my Bachelor of Social Work at Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, where my education was rooted in Indigenous knowledge and perspectives. I completed my Master’s at UBC, focusing on counselling. Since joining the Cowichan Maternity Clinic in December 2023, I have been honoured to support the families who trust me to be a part of their pregnancy and early post-partum journeys. Outside of work, I can usually be found spending time with my queer family, jumping in the ocean, and exploring this beautiful island.
Paula Ramwell, RN
Paula grew up in the Cowichan Valley and has been a Registered Nurse since 1993. She specializes in Obstetrics and has worked as a Labour and Delivery nurse for most of her nursing career. Paula joined the Cowichan Maternity Clinic in 2014 and has enjoyed working with women and their families and supporting them through pregnancy and the transition into parenthood.
Paula lives with her husband and daughter. When not working, she enjoys being outdoors, cycling, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.
Tammy Elzinga, MOA
Tammy was born and raised in the Cowichan Valley and has been working as an MOA for a local family practice since 2003. She started working part-time in 2021 at the Cowichan Maternity Clinic and finds her work very rewarding. Tammy enjoys her role in supporting our patients throughout pregnancy and postpartum. Being asked to cuddle babies and entertain toddlers is her favourite part of her workday.
Outside of the office, Tammy is embracing life as a new grandma. She also spends most of her spare time on the West Coast, camping and fishing with her husband and three sons.
Rebecca Lynn Ogden, MOA
Rebecca is a lifelong Vancouver Island resident, born and raised in Victoria; she is now enthralled to call the Cowichan Valley home. With over 20 years of experience in medical office management, she ensures that operations run smoothly. Her dedication to providing solutions, based on her vast experience in the medical and wellness field, delivers consistent results. You can be assured that you are in good hands from the moment you make an appointment.
During her downtime, Rebecca enjoys activities with family and her adventure companion, Keeva, a black Labrador. She’s an avid reader and animal lover. Whether it’s a hike, spending time with friends, painting, or one of her other passions, she’s a true West Coast girl.
Amanda Gamble, MOA
Hi, I’m Amanda! I began my career with Island Health as a Nursing Unit Assistant at the Cowichan District Hospital before finding my place at the Maternity Clinic. I have been with the clinic since 2020 as a Medical Office Assistant.
I value being part of such a meaningful time in patients’ lives and strive to create a supportive, organized, and welcoming experience for everyone who walks through our doors. Having also experienced the clinic as a patient, I bring a unique perspective and a deeper sense of empathy to the care and support I provide.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family. We are often found enjoying the beach, exploring outdoors, or simply relaxing at home over a board game. I’ve spent most of my life on Vancouver Island and love that I get to call this place home.
Liga Rugena, Maternity Practitioner Administrative Manager
Līga joined the Cowichan Maternity Clinic in September 2024, where she provides administrative support to the team. She brings over 15 years of experience in primary care, including five years managing a health centre in Oxford, UK, and five years managing a clinic in Duncan.