CEO | FOUNDER

For over 20 years, Dana Ramsey (she/her) has dedicated her career to supporting women through every stage of life—from gynecologic care and pregnancy to postpartum and menopause. Her approach is rooted in expertise, compassion, and a deep commitment to listening, ensuring each patient feels heard, supported, and empowered in their healthcare decisions.

Dana earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a Master’s in Nursing with a specialty in Women’s Health and Midwifery from Yale University. She has pursued advanced training in functional medicine, hereditary cancer genetics, ultrasonography, and female sexual medicine, and is a Certified Menopause Practitioner through The Menopause Society.

A Santa Cruz native, Dana is honored to care for families in the community where she is raising her own. After a decade in corporate medicine, she founded Nurture Women’s Health & Fertility to create a more personal, holistic space for women’s care—particularly in fertility, perimenopause, and menopause.

Outside of work, Dana loves traveling, spending time with her husband and three children, and recharging in nature—especially on the beaches of Kauai. She values creating balance in her own life, just as she encourages her patients to do.

Obstetrician-Gynecologist | Pelvic Pain & Endometriosis Specialist

Dr. Sienna Titen (she/her) believes women deserve gynecologic care that is both advanced and deeply personal. She combines the precision of modern medicine with the warmth and time of a concierge-style practice—offering a thoughtful, thorough approach that looks beyond symptoms to uncover root causes, restore balance, and improve long-term wellbeing.

With specialized training in pelvic pain, endometriosis, and minimally invasive surgery, Dr. Titen helps women find answers and relief after years of frustration or dismissal. Her care blends surgical expertise with a holistic understanding of hormones, inflammation, nervous system health, and the mind–body connection—recognizing that true pelvic wellness requires more than a prescription or procedure.

Whether she’s performing advanced laparoscopic surgery, guiding a patient through perimenopause, or helping a young woman understand her cycle for the first time, Dr. Titen is known for her deep listening, clinical excellence, and genuine compassion.

Kayla Cushner (she/her) is a Certified Nurse Midwife with over 12 years of experience providing integrative, personalized care for women through every stage of life. From puberty and fertility to pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause, she supports patients through hormonal transitions with a holistic, evidence-based approach that blends Western medicine and complementary therapies.

Kayla is passionate about collaborative, patient-centered care, helping individuals feel heard, supported, and empowered to take charge of their health. She has a special interest in fertility and preconception support, postpartum recovery, and menopause management, and enjoys guiding teens and young adults as they begin advocating for their own wellness.

Originally from Boston, Kayla earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Yale School of Nursing and has practiced midwifery in Santa Cruz since 2016. Outside of work, she loves exploring local beaches and trails with her husband and two sons, Rivers and Arlo, and cherishes time spent reading and connecting with friends.

Samantha Demesmaeker (she/her) is a Registered Nurse and Functional Medicine Consultant dedicated to bridging the gap between allopathic and functional medicine. Through nursing school, she witnessed the impact that environment, nutrition, and lifestyle have on long-term health. After working in health care for nine years, she saw firsthand how many chronic illnesses could be improved—or even prevented—through intentional changes in diet and daily habits. This realization inspired her to expand her expertise beyond conventional medicine and pursue training as both a Functional Medicine Nurse and a Functional Medicine Nutritionist.

As a Functional Medicine Nurse and a Functional Nutritionist, Samantha takes a root cause approach to demystifying symptoms. She believes in the innate self-wisdom and intuition that each individual possesses and sees these as invaluable tools in the healing process. Her mission is to listen, validate, and guide her patients toward understanding their bodies while equipping them with the knowledge and tools they need to support their own health. She is a firm believer that food is medicine and that true wellness is achieved through empowerment, not dependence.

Alex Beaudoin (she/her) is a graduate of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Touro University NV, and is also a UCLA alumni (Go Bruins!). Alex is passionate about pelvic floor physical therapy and has received specialized training in the field through Herman & Wallace. Alex is also an Aptos, CA native who is excited to return to her beautiful hometown and give back to her community.

Her approach is characterized by compassion, empathy, and a patient-centered focus. Recognizing the sensitive nature of pelvic health concerns, she creates a supportive and comfortable environment for her patients. By fostering open communication and building trust, Alex ensures that each individual receives personalized care tailored to their specific needs.

As an advocate for women's health, Alex is particularly passionate about providing comprehensive care throughout all life stages. Whether assisting with prenatal and postpartum concerns, addressing pelvic pain, or helping manage conditions such as incontinence, Alex is dedicated to empowering women to achieve optimal health and well-being.

Outside of the clinic, Alex enjoys spending time watching movies with her partner and cat babies, going on beach walks (especially when foggy!), trying different coffee shops, and attending workout classes.

Ila Breeann “Bree” Bode (she/her) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional with nearly 20 years of direct service, supervisory, and managerial experience (working with children, adolescents, families, substance use disorders, Juvenile Justice, and Child Welfare) in community mental health settings.

After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at the University of California Davis, Bree completed her Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Western Seminary. Bree has been a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 2009, and a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional through Postpartum Support International since 2021. She has received specialized training and certification in Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders and recently completed advanced training in EMDR for Perinatal & Infant Mental Health.

Bree’s passion for supporting individuals, couples, parents, and families on the journey to parenthood and through the perinatal period grew out of her own experience of becoming a mother. The perinatal period can be both a beautiful and challenging time as the path and transition to parenthood is filled with vulnerability, triumphs, losses, joy, and unknowns. Bree is able to discern the unique needs within the perinatal period from both a personal and professional lens.

LMFT #47139

Lynn Ingram (she/her) is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor with extensive experience in community mental health, specializing in work with children, adolescents, families, substance use disorders, and child welfare. She earned her Master’s in Counseling from the Townsend Institute at Concordia University, Irvine, and her BA in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Education from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

Before joining Nurture, Lynn provided care through the Families Together program at Encompass Community Services, supporting a diverse population of individuals, couples, and families navigating complex trauma and substance use challenges. Her counseling approach is rooted in empathy, authenticity, and a deep respect for each client’s story. She believes every life stage holds unique joys and challenges, and she strives to help clients find healing, connection, and growth.

A Santa Cruz native, Lynn enjoys hiking in the redwoods, walking along the beach, and spending time with her husband and three teenagers. She loves strong coffee, good conversation, and the occasional thrift treasure hunt. Lynn is grateful to bring her nurturing, grounded presence to the collaborative team at Nurture Women’s Health & Fertility.

APCC #18338

Shae Thysse (she/her) is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor dedicated to supporting individuals and families through grief, trauma, and life’s most difficult transitions. She holds a Master’s in Counseling from St. Edward’s University and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz. Her practice is grounded in trauma-informed, evidence-based care delivered with warmth and compassion to help clients feel seen, supported, and empowered.

Shae has provided therapy in a range of settings—from in-home and telehealth sessions to community-based care. She currently serves clients through Encompass Community Services, offering therapy, parenting support, and guidance for families navigating major life changes. Previously, she worked on a mobile crisis team in Austin, TX, responding alongside EMS and law enforcement to provide mental health intervention in moments of crisis.

With additional certifications in trauma treatment, parenting interventions (Triple P), and emergency response, Shae brings a calm, relational presence to her work with adolescents, adults, and families. She has a special passion for helping clients heal from loss and trauma and contributed to national research on grief, developing tools to support recovery after loss.

APCC #13991

Michele Claussen (she/her) brings over 20 years of experience as a skilled sonographer in both hospital and clinical settings. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Nevada-Reno and completed her ultrasound training at the Penrose School of Diagnostic Imaging in Colorado Springs, CO. Michele’s expertise spans Women’s Health and Fetal Imaging, with current work at Nurture. She holds registries in Abdomen, OB/Gyn, Vascular, Breast Imaging, and certification in Nuchal Translucency ultrasound.

In addition to her clinical work, Michele spent several years in Sales and Applications, training physicians and sonographers on ultrasound systems. Her approach focuses on making every individual feel comfortable and safe in the ultrasound room, a value we are so grateful to have at Nurture. When she’s not in the office, Michele enjoys spending time in, on, or near the ocean with her family.

Roxanne Sweeting (she/her) grew up near Yosemite National Park before moving to Santa Barbara where she attended the University of California, Santa Barbara. Roxanne holds a degree in Communications and discovered her calling in healthcare, further becoming a certified Medical Assistant, Doula, and Life Coach.

Now residing in Santa Cruz, Roxanne's dedication to fostering inclusivity and empowerment led her to join Nurture from its inception, where she has played an integral role as our MA and office manager. When she's not strolling along the beach at low tide with her family, Roxanne is a dedicated advocate for inclusion, equality, sexual health, and reproductive rights. She is committed to ensuring that Nurture remains a welcoming and safe space for all.

McKenna Barr (she/her) is a recent graduate of UC Santa Cruz, brings a compassionate spirit to her work at Nurture. Hailing from a small town in the North Bay, McKenna is driven by a belief in educational equity and the power of kindness and empathy. At Nurture, she cherishes the meaningful connections with patients, ensuring they feel comfortable and heard. 

Outside of the clinic, McKenna is an avid reader, hiker, and artist, always seeking to explore and appreciate the world. Looking ahead, McKenna plans to pursue an additional degree in Cardiac Ultrasonography, furthering her mission of helping people and providing comfort in all moments of life. Dedicated to making a positive difference, McKenna is proud to contribute to Nurture's welcoming and inclusive environment.