The Midwife Bus is a retired Bloodbank bus that has been renovated into an ultramodern midwifery clinic on wheels. It was first purchased by Charlie Rae Young, a Tampa midwife, who pioneered the idea of a mobile midwifery clinic to provide care to underserved populations. Brooke was inspired by Charlie’s work (and by a serendipitously timed NPR interview with Dr. James O’Connell, a doctor for the homeless in Boston). After working at a high-volume birth center in Orlando, Florida, Brooke was determined to do something with her midwifery training that would bring quality women’s health care to the most vulnerable women in her hometown of Osceola County, Florida. 

When Brooke reached out to her, Charlie happened to be looking for a new home for the bus, as her philanthropic efforts had taken her in a different direction. She willingly gifted the bus to her to continue spreading the important work she had begun.

Starting with a lot of passion but very few resources to help make this dream a reality, Brooke came across a grant opportunity offered by a local hospital chain, Orlando Health. The Midwife bus was blessed to be chosen out of dozens of applicants to receive their top Community Benefit Grant award in 2019. These resources allowed Brooke to complete phase two of the bus renovation and to get the bus back out on the road again!

Since then, Brooke has helped many underserved women establish self-sufficiency. She is making a difference in the lives of babies and families. She takes the time to listen, educate, support, and empower these women to gain the knowledge and independence needed to raise and support our next generation.