Elyssa Mendez (she/they)

Elyssa is a Certified Nurse Midwife who holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree with a minor in Integrative Healing from the University of Minnesota. With a background in both the freestanding birth center and hospital labor & delivery settings, Elyssa brings a commitment to individualized, patient-centered care, with special interests in trauma-informed care and pain management in gynecology.

Elyssa’s philosophy of care is centered around empowering patients and their families through shared decision-making. They believe that patients are the experts of their own bodies and should be the primary drivers of their care. Elyssa is passionate about creating an inclusive and welcoming space for all, particularly for individuals and communities who have been mistreated by the healthcare system. She is especially dedicated to ensuring that everyone feels respected and comfortable showing up as their authentic self, drawing from her own experiences and understanding of diverse identities. Elyssa’s practice style is rooted in social justice, making them a compassionate and empathetic advocate for their patients.

Originally from Ohio, Elyssa moved to Minnesota in 2019 to pursue midwifery. She lives with her partner and their bossy senior cat, and in her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and pretending to be a movie critic.