Vonda has been a certified childbirth educator since 1991. She became one of the first 20 DONA certified doulas in 1993. She has provided adult education as a certified childbirth educator in the hospital setting, the clinical setting, and privately for over 30 years.
As a past International Childbirth Educators Association (ICEA) Executive Committee officer, Gates was the principle writer for the ICEA Childbirth Educator Program update. Vonda enjoys sharing the Hug Your Baby program as a HUG teacher. For the childbearing parent, Vonda facilitates a webinar based childbirth class providing a live online childbirth class series.
Gates was recognized as the ‘Outstanding ICEA Approved Trainer’ at the 2015 Lamaze/ICEA International Conference, Raising the Stakes. Vonda was pleased to be recognized as a Mother-Friendly Nurse by the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services in 2009.
Happily married to Roger for over 40 years, together they delight in three adult children and two grandsons.