About us
Our clinic was built to provide care in all aspects of pregnancy. This means we provide a wide range of services, including health care which will connect you to community services that can help you and your family. Our doctors will be there when you deliver your baby at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton. We provide support and care in the first six weeks after your baby is born. To learn more about what the Maternity Centre offers, check out our services list.
As part of the McMaster Department of Family Medicine, we support and train future family physicians to be expert obstetrical care providers. You may meet resident physicians during some of your visits at the Maternity Centre.
To book an appointment, just call us. You don’t need a referral. We look forward to meeting you!
Our Team
Our team provides expert care for approximately 700 pregnancies per year.
Here are the dedicated members of our team:
Information Box Group
Morgan Black
Bio
My name is Morgan Black. While I am proud to call myself a generalist family physician providing full-spectrum care for individuals during all stages of their lives, I feel particularly privileged to be able to work in the area of maternal/child health alongside an amazing, multidisciplinary team at the Maternity Centre of Hamilton. Throughout my undergraduate and postgraduate medical training (which I completed at McMaster University) and the early years of my career, I quickly developed a passion and area of interest in Women’s Health and Family Medicine Obstetrics. I truly believe that family doctors are in a unique position to provide holistic, comprehensive, patient-centered care to the patients we care for throughout their pregnancy journey and beyond. I also have a strong interest in medical education, currently working as a physician in an academic family medicine teaching unit, as well as serving as the rotation coordinator for the Family Medicine Maternal/Child core rotation that our Hamilton-site residents complete during residency at McMaster University. Outside of work, I find the most joy in spending time with my family, ideally exploring the outdoors on our local hiking trails or sharing conversation over good food (ideally cooked by others!).
Morgan Black
Sarah D
Sarah D
Amie Davis
Bio
Amie Davis
Cheryl G
Cheryl G
Brooke Hoffman
Bio
Brooke Hoffman
Ruben Hummelen
Bio
The birth of a child is such an incredibly precious event. A true miracle. As a family physician, I feel honored to be part of this experience every time. As a scholar, I’m also interested in maternal-child health and have focused my work on the detection and treatment of diabetes in pregnancy. I have experienced the miracle of new life three times as I am a proud father of two boys and a girl. We love to go out for bike rides, paddling adventures or just enjoy movie night together.
Ruben Hummelen
Kati Ivanyi
Kati Ivanyi
Gillian L
Gillian L
Michelle Lam
Bio
Michelle Lam obtained her medical degree in 2011, followed by her rural family medicine residency and low-risk obstetrics fellowship in 2013, all at the University of Toronto. Her growing family then lured her to the city of Hamilton, where she now lives. Between 2017 and 2021, Michelle served as Deputy Head of Service of Obstetrics at the Department of Family Medicine, and Medical Director of Maternal Care at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Today, Michelle splits time working and teaching at her family medicine practice and at the Maternity Centre. When not working, Michelle can be found baking, traveling, and trying to survive weekends with her two children, both of whom were delivered by her friends and colleagues at the Maternity Centre.
Michelle Lam
Wei Lee
Wei Lee
Katharine Martin
Bio
I’m a physician at the Maternity Centre of Hamilton. In addition to my special interest in obstetrical care, I am also practicing full-spectrum family medicine at a clinic in Stoney Creek, Ontario. Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, horseback riding, and I am an avid Toronto Raptors fan!
Katharine Martin
Laura Ovens
Bio
Laura completed her medical school training at the University of Toronto, and her Family Medicine residency at McMaster. She loves to spend time with her niece and nephew, and to travel with her partner. Caring for pregnant women and newborns is the most joyful and rewarding part of her job.
Laura Ovens
Irum Rizwan
Bio
As a family doctor, I have a deep passion for women’s health, optimizing maternal health before, during and after pregnancy, as well as newborn care. Pregnancy can be such an exciting time in a person’s life, but it can also be one with new changes, questions and unknowns. I love supporting patients during this important and memorable chapter in their lives. Originally from Ontario, I obtained my medical training at the University of Alberta and returned to Hamilton to continue providing low-risk obstetrical care along with work in women’s health and newborn care. In my spare time, I enjoy being outdoors, hiking and travelling.
Irum Rizwan
Lisa Skradski
Bio
Lisa completed the Nurse Practitioner program over 20 years ago at McMaster University. She worked at McMaster Children’s Hospital and McMaster University Medical Centre prior to joining the Maternity Centre of Hamilton and the Department of Family Medicine. Lisa enjoys living a healthy lifestyle, travelling, and cooking for family and friends. She is passionate about supporting education and providing pregnancy care during all stages of pregnancy.
Lisa Skradski
Claudia Steffler
Bio
As a founding member, the Maternity Centre has been my clinical “home” for over 22 years. I am the Clinic Director as well as a Nurse Practitioner and split my time between my administrative and clinical roles. I am passionate about Women’s health, prenatal care and have a special interest in health equity and advocacy. I feel privileged to share the journey of pregnancy with so many people and could not imagine doing anything else. Outside of work, I enjoy learning new skills while tackling home projects, spending time outdoors, and spending time with my “young adult” children. We recently adopted a dog Tyson, a 13-year-old boxer who needed a home. We thought we were rescuing him, but he rescued us!
Claudia Steffler
Suzanne Turner
Suzanne Turner
Christine Vu
Bio
Christine graduated from Saba University School of Medicine. She completed Family Medicine residency at McMaster University. She grew up in Hamilton and is happy to return home to start her family practice in Ancaster. She enjoys spending time with family and friends. She likes to travel and eat good food.
Christine Vu
Morgan Black
Bio
My name is Morgan Black. While I am proud to call myself a generalist family physician providing full-spectrum care for individuals during all stages of their lives, I feel particularly privileged to be able to work in the area of maternal/child health alongside an amazing, multidisciplinary team at the Maternity Centre of Hamilton. Throughout my undergraduate and postgraduate medical training (which I completed at McMaster University) and the early years of my career, I quickly developed a passion and area of interest in Women’s Health and Family Medicine Obstetrics. I truly believe that family doctors are in a unique position to provide holistic, comprehensive, patient-centered care to the patients we care for throughout their pregnancy journey and beyond. I also have a strong interest in medical education, currently working as a physician in an academic family medicine teaching unit, as well as serving as the rotation coordinator for the Family Medicine Maternal/Child core rotation that our Hamilton-site residents complete during residency at McMaster University. Outside of work, I find the most joy in spending time with my family, ideally exploring the outdoors on our local hiking trails or sharing conversation over good food (ideally cooked by others!).
Morgan Black
Bio
My name is Morgan Black. While I am proud to call myself a generalist family physician providing full-spectrum care for individuals during all stages of their lives, I feel particularly privileged to be able to work in the area of maternal/child health alongside an amazing, multidisciplinary team at the Maternity Centre of Hamilton. Throughout my undergraduate and postgraduate medical training (which I completed at McMaster University) and the early years of my career, I quickly developed a passion and area of interest in Women’s Health and Family Medicine Obstetrics. I truly believe that family doctors are in a unique position to provide holistic, comprehensive, patient-centered care to the patients we care for throughout their pregnancy journey and beyond. I also have a strong interest in medical education, currently working as a physician in an academic family medicine teaching unit, as well as serving as the rotation coordinator for the Family Medicine Maternal/Child core rotation that our Hamilton-site residents complete during residency at McMaster University. Outside of work, I find the most joy in spending time with my family, ideally exploring the outdoors on our local hiking trails or sharing conversation over good food (ideally cooked by others!).
Sarah D
Sarah D
Amie Davis
Bio
Amie Davis
Bio
Cheryl G
Cheryl G
Brooke Hoffman
Bio
Brooke Hoffman
Bio
Ruben Hummelen
Bio
The birth of a child is such an incredibly precious event. A true miracle. As a family physician, I feel honored to be part of this experience every time. As a scholar, I’m also interested in maternal-child health and have focused my work on the detection and treatment of diabetes in pregnancy. I have experienced the miracle of new life three times as I am a proud father of two boys and a girl. We love to go out for bike rides, paddling adventures or just enjoy movie night together.
Ruben Hummelen
Bio
The birth of a child is such an incredibly precious event. A true miracle. As a family physician, I feel honored to be part of this experience every time. As a scholar, I’m also interested in maternal-child health and have focused my work on the detection and treatment of diabetes in pregnancy. I have experienced the miracle of new life three times as I am a proud father of two boys and a girl. We love to go out for bike rides, paddling adventures or just enjoy movie night together.
Kati Ivanyi
Kati Ivanyi
Gillian L
Gillian L
Michelle Lam
Bio
Michelle Lam obtained her medical degree in 2011, followed by her rural family medicine residency and low-risk obstetrics fellowship in 2013, all at the University of Toronto. Her growing family then lured her to the city of Hamilton, where she now lives. Between 2017 and 2021, Michelle served as Deputy Head of Service of Obstetrics at the Department of Family Medicine, and Medical Director of Maternal Care at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Today, Michelle splits time working and teaching at her family medicine practice and at the Maternity Centre. When not working, Michelle can be found baking, traveling, and trying to survive weekends with her two children, both of whom were delivered by her friends and colleagues at the Maternity Centre.
Michelle Lam
Bio
Michelle Lam obtained her medical degree in 2011, followed by her rural family medicine residency and low-risk obstetrics fellowship in 2013, all at the University of Toronto. Her growing family then lured her to the city of Hamilton, where she now lives. Between 2017 and 2021, Michelle served as Deputy Head of Service of Obstetrics at the Department of Family Medicine, and Medical Director of Maternal Care at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Today, Michelle splits time working and teaching at her family medicine practice and at the Maternity Centre. When not working, Michelle can be found baking, traveling, and trying to survive weekends with her two children, both of whom were delivered by her friends and colleagues at the Maternity Centre.
Wei Lee
Wei Lee
Katharine Martin
Bio
I’m a physician at the Maternity Centre of Hamilton. In addition to my special interest in obstetrical care, I am also practicing full-spectrum family medicine at a clinic in Stoney Creek, Ontario. Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, horseback riding, and I am an avid Toronto Raptors fan!
Katharine Martin
Bio
I’m a physician at the Maternity Centre of Hamilton. In addition to my special interest in obstetrical care, I am also practicing full-spectrum family medicine at a clinic in Stoney Creek, Ontario. Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, horseback riding, and I am an avid Toronto Raptors fan!
Laura Ovens
Bio
Laura completed her medical school training at the University of Toronto, and her Family Medicine residency at McMaster. She loves to spend time with her niece and nephew, and to travel with her partner. Caring for pregnant women and newborns is the most joyful and rewarding part of her job.
Laura Ovens
Bio
Laura completed her medical school training at the University of Toronto, and her Family Medicine residency at McMaster. She loves to spend time with her niece and nephew, and to travel with her partner. Caring for pregnant women and newborns is the most joyful and rewarding part of her job.
Irum Rizwan
Bio
As a family doctor, I have a deep passion for women’s health, optimizing maternal health before, during and after pregnancy, as well as newborn care. Pregnancy can be such an exciting time in a person’s life, but it can also be one with new changes, questions and unknowns. I love supporting patients during this important and memorable chapter in their lives. Originally from Ontario, I obtained my medical training at the University of Alberta and returned to Hamilton to continue providing low-risk obstetrical care along with work in women’s health and newborn care. In my spare time, I enjoy being outdoors, hiking and travelling.
Irum Rizwan
Bio
As a family doctor, I have a deep passion for women’s health, optimizing maternal health before, during and after pregnancy, as well as newborn care. Pregnancy can be such an exciting time in a person’s life, but it can also be one with new changes, questions and unknowns. I love supporting patients during this important and memorable chapter in their lives. Originally from Ontario, I obtained my medical training at the University of Alberta and returned to Hamilton to continue providing low-risk obstetrical care along with work in women’s health and newborn care. In my spare time, I enjoy being outdoors, hiking and travelling.
Lisa Skradski
Bio
Lisa completed the Nurse Practitioner program over 20 years ago at McMaster University. She worked at McMaster Children’s Hospital and McMaster University Medical Centre prior to joining the Maternity Centre of Hamilton and the Department of Family Medicine. Lisa enjoys living a healthy lifestyle, travelling, and cooking for family and friends. She is passionate about supporting education and providing pregnancy care during all stages of pregnancy.
Lisa Skradski
Bio
Lisa completed the Nurse Practitioner program over 20 years ago at McMaster University. She worked at McMaster Children’s Hospital and McMaster University Medical Centre prior to joining the Maternity Centre of Hamilton and the Department of Family Medicine. Lisa enjoys living a healthy lifestyle, travelling, and cooking for family and friends. She is passionate about supporting education and providing pregnancy care during all stages of pregnancy.
Claudia Steffler
Bio
As a founding member, the Maternity Centre has been my clinical “home” for over 22 years. I am the Clinic Director as well as a Nurse Practitioner and split my time between my administrative and clinical roles. I am passionate about Women’s health, prenatal care and have a special interest in health equity and advocacy. I feel privileged to share the journey of pregnancy with so many people and could not imagine doing anything else. Outside of work, I enjoy learning new skills while tackling home projects, spending time outdoors, and spending time with my “young adult” children. We recently adopted a dog Tyson, a 13-year-old boxer who needed a home. We thought we were rescuing him, but he rescued us!
Claudia Steffler
Bio
As a founding member, the Maternity Centre has been my clinical “home” for over 22 years. I am the Clinic Director as well as a Nurse Practitioner and split my time between my administrative and clinical roles. I am passionate about Women’s health, prenatal care and have a special interest in health equity and advocacy. I feel privileged to share the journey of pregnancy with so many people and could not imagine doing anything else. Outside of work, I enjoy learning new skills while tackling home projects, spending time outdoors, and spending time with my “young adult” children. We recently adopted a dog Tyson, a 13-year-old boxer who needed a home. We thought we were rescuing him, but he rescued us!
Suzanne Turner
Suzanne Turner
Christine Vu
Bio
Christine graduated from Saba University School of Medicine. She completed Family Medicine residency at McMaster University. She grew up in Hamilton and is happy to return home to start her family practice in Ancaster. She enjoys spending time with family and friends. She likes to travel and eat good food.
Christine Vu
Bio
Christine graduated from Saba University School of Medicine. She completed Family Medicine residency at McMaster University. She grew up in Hamilton and is happy to return home to start her family practice in Ancaster. She enjoys spending time with family and friends. She likes to travel and eat good food.
Expandable List
At the Maternity Centre of Hamilton, family doctors and nurse practitioners have joined together to offer health care to pregnant women and their families. This means that patients receive comprehensive, personalized care.
Together, we provide both prenatal and postnatal care.
Residents are doctors who have fully completed medical school and are undergoing further specialized training known as residency. Residents can order tests, make diagnoses, prescribe medications, treat mental illness, complete forms, etc. They provide maternity care under direct supervision by Maternity Centre staff. Thanks to patients like you, many residents at our clinic will specialize in family practice obstetrics and will practice independently after two years. You are helping train the family doctors of the future!
Social workers help individuals, families, groups and communities enhance individual and collective well-being. They aim to help people develop skills and abilities to use their own resources and those of the community to resolve problems.
Our social worker is available to provide education, support and counselling to pregnant women and their families. The social worker helps women and their families with a variety of social and emotional issues that may emerge during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
These issues may include:
- Financial concerns and assistance accessing housing
- Relationship difficulties
- Worries, concerns or depression
- Difficulties with drugs and alcohol
- Preparing to become a parent
- Assistance accessing community resources and supports
For families who experience pregnancy loss or newborn death the social worker can offer grief counselling. Our social worker is also able to provide counselling support to women who are considering termination or adoption placement.
Lactation consultants specialize in breastfeeding and are trained to teach mothers how to feed their baby.
The lactation consultant at the Maternity Centre is available to assist pregnant women and women up to six weeks postpartum with education and assistance with breast feeding. Women can arrange an appointment during pregnancy with a lactation consultant to become better prepared for breast feeding.
A lactation consultant can help with breastfeeding problems such as:
- Feeding a premature baby
- Difficulty latching
- Low milk production
- Babies who aren’t gaining enough weight
Research and scholarship
As part of the McMaster Department of Family Medicine and the McMaster Family Health Team, we are committed to providing safe, timely and effective care for our patients and our community. Our team members are involved in quality improvement initiatives within our clinic and at St. Joseph’s Hospital that help enhance the safety and standards of pregnancy care in Hamilton. Many members of our team are also involved in research and the development of national guidelines, which have improved pregnancy care for patients across Canada.