Wendy Rakestraw, C.N.M.

Certified Nurse Midwife

OB/GYN

I was born and raised in Northeast Tennessee. After graduating from Cherokee High School in Rogersville, I attended East Tennessee State University, where I completed my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. My professional experience began as a Registered Nurse with the Family Birth Center at Franklin Woods Community Hospital. There my passion for women’s health truly came alive. I was molded by each and every mother and family that I came in contact with. Over the years, my passion continued to grow and I made the decision to continue my education at the birthplace of midwifery, Frontier Nursing University. I earned my Master of Science in Nursing and became a board Certified Nurse-Midwife.

As a labor and delivery nurse, I grew to understand the intimate bond that is developed with a laboring mother is one rarely seen in any other area of healthcare. While completing my midwifery clinical rotation, I realized that bond is so much stronger when you see it through from beginning to end. I am truly passionate about taking care of women across their entire lifespan. I especially enjoy caring for women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. I respect the normalcy of birth, and believe that mothers and babies benefit from a collaborative model of care bringing midwifery and obstetrics together. I strongly value incorporating evidence-based practice and strive to empower women through education in hopes of improving their informed decisions about their own healthcare.

I married my high-school sweetheart Kenny, we have two daughters, Sophia and Aria. In my free time, I love spending time with my family, painting, and crafting. I am so blessed to have this opportunity to work along-side the providers and nurses that have shaped me into the healthcare provider that I am today. I look forward to serving the women and their families of our region for years to come.

Education

East Tennessee State University

State of Franklin OB/GYN Specialists (Johnson City)