Birth Matters: Combining the emotional and medical

Rodney has a background of over 30 years of practice in hospital and community pharmacy, much of which has been as a specialist therapeutic medicines expert. He holds postgraduate qualifications, a Monash University appointment and has extensive clinical experience in a number of medical specialties. He is a member of, and consultant to, many professional healthcare organisations and committees. As a part of his current position as senior pharmacist at the Monash Medicines Information Centre at Monash Health (Victoria), Rodney also delivers presentations to an extensive and diverse range of hospital and community groups. He was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2021 for his service to pharmacy, professional education and the community.

Elly Taylor is a relationship educator, author, and founder of Becoming Us. For over two decades, she’s been passionate about helping parents-to-be and new parents navigate the big changes that come with growing a family. She’s shared her work with perinatal professionals here in Australia and overseas, spoken at national and international conferences, and contributed to research projects with universities including Newcastle, Monash, the Australian Catholic University, and Columbia in New York. In 2021, Elly worked with NSW Health to create relationship-based antenatal education for first-time parents birthing at two hospitals in Southern Sydney. At the heart of Elly’s work is a simple belief: when we prepare and support couples for the transition to parenthood, we nurture not only their relationship, but the wellbeing of their whole family. Elly lives in Sydney with her firefighter husband and their three kidults.

Robert M. Biter, MD is a holistic Obstetrician and Gynecologist, founder of the worldwide nonprofit Seaside Giving and CEO of Babies by the Sea Birthing Centers. During his clinical practice, he received multiple awards including San Diego Padres Medical Community AllStar, Best OB/Gyn in San Diego by Ranch and Coast Magazine multiple years in a row and 40 under 40 Most Important San Diego Leaders.

During his medical education at Pennsylvania State University, he was named most outstanding graduate entering the field of OB/Gyn where he received multiple scholarships including named a National Health Service Corps Scholar. During his postgraduate training he was honored as an American Medical Association Leadership Award and was named Best Chief Resident from the nursing staff and Best Resident Teacher.

His undergraduate education was at Juniata College with a dual degree in theatre and premedical studies having earned scholarships for both areas of his studies.