Hi, I’m
Cassandra Miles
Community Health
Issaquah,WA
Summary
Accomplished Indigenous community health care worker who has demonstrated the ability to work within and support the health care delivery system to improve health outcomes for Native American and Alaskan Native communities. Brings over 14 years of professional experience working with Indigenous pregnant people in clinics, hospitals, birthing centers, and IHS facilities. Promoted and passed legislation to ensure free-of-cost doula services to all tribal members in Washington State. Excels in engaging tribal communities for non-profit health organizations, implemented Quality Improvement Theory in non-profit organizations, and manages large team of remote workers.
Overview
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Doulas for All Coalition
Project Manager
10.2019 - Current
Job overview
- Remotely manage team of approximately 22 regular members of coalition, five local tribal governments, as well as four Urban Native and BIPOC Non-profits in Washington State.
- Co-authored Bill language and lobbied for legislation to allow for reimbursements for doula services to tribal members in Washington State.
- Develop and manage an annual budget of $250,000+ for tribal and community engagement, educational, and recruiting events.
- Host and sponsor Community Cafe panels and presentations to set the vision and align values for community support, to inform and persuade state legislators, community partners, and other reproductive health organizations.
- Maintain meticulous records and communication between organizations to ensure that contract partners receive deliverables on time via Teams, Google Drive, Microsoft Office, and Zoom.
- Maintain compliance between the organization, the Health Care Authority, Department of Health and third party contractors.
- Host and sponsor trainings on Cultural Safety and Tribal Sovereignty for staff and coalition members.
- Host meetings on goals and vision of coalition members, community stake holders, tribal members, and birth workers to strategize next steps for organization after passing legislation.
- Secured $200,000 in funding from WA State Governor's office to develop, improve and expand Coalition to support Indigenous and BIPOC birth workers beyond the 2025 roll out of Medicaid reimbursements for doula care.
- Help Coalition and partner organizations navigate tribal sovereignty and the relationship between tribes and federal/state agencies such as the DOH, HCA, IHS, and Medicaid.
Perinatal Services
Full Spectrum Doula
10.2010 - Current
Job overview
- Support and advocate for Indigenous birthing people in clinics, hospitals, birth centers, and home visiting settings.
- Enhance client comfort during labor through pain management techniques such as massage, breathing exercises, and position changes.
- Promote self-care practices for mothers during postpartum recovery by providing resources on mental health, nutrition, exercise routines, and relaxation techniques.
- Connect Indigenous new families and birthing people with community resources such as lactation consultants or pediatricians when additional support was needed beyond my scope of practice.
Center for Indigenous Midwifery
Indigenous Educator
01.2020 - 08.2022
Job overview
- Evaluated effectiveness of training initiatives by tracking student birth worker progress and gathering feedback for continuous improvement.
- Mentored 20 Indigenous students in professional growth, taught new skills while encouraging them to develop and share their skills.
- Traveled to Tribal communities around region to provide trainings, recruitment, and listening sessions.
- Ensured students met deadlines, complied with learning standards, and helped each student set attainable goals, plan, and execute their presentations for graduation requirements.
- Presented on Quality Improvement Theory and interventions, and Systems Thinking in health care.
- Participated on speaking panels regarding Indigenous birth work and how it impacts Native American and Alaska Native health outcomes.
United Indians Of All Tribes
Full Spectrum Doula Lead
10.2019 - 08.2022
Job overview
- Data acquisition implementation and trained staff to collect and input data into new systems.
- Traveled to tribal communities for speaking engagements, conferences, panels, and listening sessions.
- Trained new doulas on employee expectations, reporting guidelines, local healthcare facility dynamics, best practices, and skills to improve client care.
- Worked with providers as part of Quality Improvement and Systems Thinking team.
- Built strong referral network within Indigenous community by establishing positive relationships with tribes, through tribal engagement, local Urban Native non-profits, Indian Health Services providers, other local healthcare providers, Urban Native childbirth educators, Indigenous lactation consultants, and other professionals in maternal health field focusing on improving American Indian and Alaskan Native health.
- Collaborated with upper management, other Native non-profits and health care partners to ensure vision and work aligned with Urban Native and tribal community needs.
Education
Seattle Midwifery School, Seattle, WA
from Perinatal Health Education
2004
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
from Health Sciences
09.2025
Skills
- Project Planning and Development
- Client Relations
- Quality Improvement Theory
- Contract Management
- Problem Solving
- Systems Thinking
- Budget Development
- Managing Remote Workers
- Presenting
- Employee Engagement
- Group Communication
- Operational Excellence
Certification
- Full Spectrum Indigenous Doula, Zaagitiwiin - August 2019
- Indigenous Lactation Counselor - October 2019
Availability
See my work availability
Not Available
Available
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Indigenous Educator
Center for Indigenous Midwifery
01.2020 - 08.2022
Project Manager
Doulas for All Coalition
10.2019 - Current
Full Spectrum Doula Lead
United Indians Of All Tribes
10.2019 - 08.2022
Full Spectrum Doula
Perinatal Services
10.2010 - Current
Seattle Midwifery School
from Perinatal Health Education
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
from Health Sciences
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