Alyssa Martinez, CNM, MS, is a certified nurse-midwife in Portland, Oregon. Though not employed by Women's Healthcare Associates, she works as part of the WHA team, when needed, to care for patients at the hospital during labor and delivery.
“I try come into each patient interaction as a blank slate without assumptions or a plan based on what I think a situation will hold. I find people are much more willing to open up when they realize what they have to say matters—that I haven’t already decided the best path forward.”
An internship in her local emergency room on the path to becoming what she thought would be a physician set Alyssa on a course toward nursing. Drawn to the varied and important roles she watched the nurses playing, it wasn’t until nursing school that Alyssa was introduced to nurse-midwifery, which combined the things she loved about medicine and nursing in a wholly unique way. After working nearly 12 years as a labor and delivery nurse and charge nurse, Alyssa returned to school for her master’s degree in nurse midwifery.
Today, Alyssa’s deep foundation in nursing enables her to better support pregnant, birthing and new parents throughout the experience, including what to expect at each step of the way. While she adores caring for people during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum, Alyssa also loves the overall variety of her practice--being able to set teens down a path of reproductive health and autonomy; helping people during the menopause transition to feel more like themselves; and providing safe and affirming space for transgender men to receive gynecology, pregnancy and gender affirming wellness care. Above all, Alyssa enjoys connecting with people who bring different stories and lived experiences and helping them meet their goals.
Inside of the exam room and out, Alyssa is an activist when it comes to reproductive choice and self-determination. As a mom to two young boys, she and her family can often be found on the soccer field, hiking, swimming and loving on their two dogs—a golden doodle and a Boston terrier.
Graduate Degree:
Master of Science, Nursing, Frontier Nursing University, 2021
Undergraduate Degree:
Bachelor of Science, Nursing, University of Arizona, 2010
American College of Nurse-Midwives
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists