Teacher and Practitioner Bios

Vanessa J. Anton entered the alternative approach to health care after being diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1992. ¬Instead of opting for what was recommended by her traditionally trained obstetrician, she searched for other ways to treat her cancer. Vanessa made many changes in her lifestyle, primarily to her diet. ¬In 1994, Vanessa's cancer went into remission. Again choosing nontraditional medicine, Vanessa's son was born that same year with the aid of midwives, not an obstetrician. ¬ Zen's birth opened up her passion for midwifery. ¬Vanessa has obtained her certification as an assistant midwife from the midwives in Tennessee at the Farm. As a complement to her certification, in 2002, she became an Emergency Medical Technician. ¬Vanessa feels that it is important to pass on life saving skills to others and is an instructor for ¬Basic Life Support for the American Heart Association. ¬ She is a 2003 graduate of the Integrative Institution of Nutrition as a Holistic Health Practitioner, certified through the American Academy of Drugless Practitioners. ¬She is a student at The New Seminary planning to graduate in 2005 as an Interfaith Minister.