Skylar B. Van Steemburg, CNM

Skylar VanSteemburg (she/her/hers & they/them/theirs) has dedicated her life towards equity in reproductive, sexual, gender-related, and perinatal healthcare for all people. They value the tenets of full-scope midwifery care and believe that all reproductive experiences, from contraception to abortion, fertility to family planning, pregnancy to postpartum, miscarriage to menopause, are not siloed medical events; each is a part of the rich tapestry of moments, woven together and weathered through time, that make each of us unique. They have a particular passion for gender-affirming care, caring for LGBTQIA+ people, working with teens, destigmatizing sexual health, and family planning.

She holds a Master of Nursing and dual degree as a Certified Nurse Midwife and a Board-Certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner from Yale School of Nursing, and a BA from St. Lawrence University. They grew up in Albany and are thrilled to have returned to the magical Hudson Valley.

Why should someone choose you to care for their health?
If you choose me as your provider, you can expect that I know you are in charge of your own body. I am trained to help you get information about your health so that you can make informed choices. I want you to feel supported, I want you to feel heard. I want to know and care for the WHOLE you!

What is the most important thing your patients should expect from their professional relationship with you? What do you expect from them?
You can expect humor, compassion, openness, warmth and honesty when you work with me. You can expect that I will listen to you, and I will take your concerns and questions seriously. If I don’t know the answer, we’ll look for it together! I approach every aspect of care with a trauma-informed and resilience-focused lens. I hope that you will consider me a partner in caring for your health and wellness.

How do you spend your valuable personal time when you’re not caring for patients?
I have a great love for all creatures big and small. When I’m not at work, you can find me tending to my flock of chickens, snuggling my cat, or walking my sweet, old rescue dog with my wife. I feel most at home immersed in the peace and beauty of the great outdoors. I have a passion for community organizing, cooking and eating meals around generous tables and films on the big screen with plenty of popcorn!

Why did you choose your specialty and what is its greatest reward?
Being a midwife is one of the great joys and honors of my life. I am humbled by the trust my clients instill in me. I am constantly moved by bearing witness to the strength each of you show me, whether in birthing your child, in managing chronic pain or in navigating a broken healthcare system and still reaching out for help. My greatest reward is knowing that I have shown up for you, that I have been present with you and that it has made a difference in your life.