Elaine grew up in working-class England and later moved to Canada where she went to university and raised her children. Eventually Elaine became a nurse, despite really wanting to be a midwife. Midwifery was not legal in Canada during 1980’s - early 90’s, so she moved to New Orleans and became a licensed midwife, leaving medicine temporarily behind. In New Orleans she practiced home-birth midwifery, licensed by the Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners. Elaine also worked with some of the most economically disadvantaged women of Louisiana who faced health disparities and high maternal child mortality rates.
From New Orleans, Elaine moved back to England then later Canada and again back to the USA. Over time, Elaine realized nursing as more than a worthwhile endeavor. She became astutely aware of the impact she had on people’s lives during their periods of hardship, joy and transition. Eventually, Elaine became a nurse practitioner after attending the first NP/midwifery school in the USA. The school was created in the earlier part of the 1900’s by the pioneer Mary Breckinridge to serve the communities of the Appalachians - in alignment with Elaine’s views; that caring IS the core tenet of nursing.