As the head of the maternity unit in Marigot, Haiti, midwife Stéphanie Roche’s success in preventing maternal mortality is well known throughout the Marigot area. Initially a nurse, Ms. Roche chose become a midwife in 2011 in order to evolve in a specific field by drawing on her ability and knowledge to serve women, known as “poto mitan,” or the central pillars in Haitian society, in their day-to-day lives. Her rigor, dexterity, and passion propelled her to be responsible for the Marigot maternity unit. Ms. Roche believes that the midwifery profession is unique. In her daily work, She strives to ensure the best care for pregnant women and women of childbearing age, provide medical and psychological support to pregnant women, and conduct sensitization sessions for community health workers. Ms. Roche believes that by bringing together similar contributions from other health professionals who share this same ideals, Haiti and other countries will be able to make a leap forward in health for the benefit of women and newborns.

“To see a woman give life and help her do it is something extraordinary, What I like most is having the opportunity to educate women, to talk to them, to teach them things that can lead to a change in behavior.”