Welcome to our new series, The People of Primary Care: the human stories behind the healthcare you receive at your doctor’s office or healthcare hub.

Please introduce yourself.

My name is Claire Ramlogan-Salanga, and I’m a Registered Midwife with over a decade of experience providing sexual and reproductive health care.

I work as part of a collaborative team of midwives and family doctors, nurses and others offering patient‑centred, comprehensive care. I recently joined this team and value working alongside colleagues to support individuals across the reproductive lifespan.

What is a midwife?

Midwives are health-care professionals who provide expert primary care including sexual and reproductive care to pregnant people and their newborns throughout pregnancy, birth and for six weeks afterward. They provide contraception, early loss management, breastfeeding support, and ongoing care. 

What brought you to this profession?

I was inspired to pursue this career by a desire to work in a field that combines clinical skill with advocacy, education, and relationship‑based care. Sexual and reproductive health care offers meaningful opportunities to support people at important moments in their lives, while contributing to accessible and equitable care within a collaborative health‑care system. Over time, witnessing respectful, attentive interactions between health‑care providers and loved ones reinforced the importance of being heard and treated with dignity—experiences that continue to inform how I approach my work and the care I provide.

What brings you joy in your role?

What brings me the most joy in my work is supporting informed choice and centring clients in their own health‑care decision‑making. I find particular fulfillment in working with teens and young adults as they learn about their options for birth control—seeing their understanding grow and recognizing that they have the power to make decisions for themselves. These moments, where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered, are central to what makes my work meaningful.

How does working in an interprofessional primary care team support the work you do?

Working within an interprofessional primary care team strongly supports the work I do. While I have practiced in collaborative settings before, this team is unified by a shared commitment to serving the community and supporting one another as clinicians. Collaborating with colleagues who value teamwork and strive to make care seamless for clients and patients enhances both my role and the quality of care we provide, and it is a privilege to be part of that environment.

Collaborative, team‑based models of care are essential to supporting people through comprehensive, wrap‑around services. This approach not only improves individual health outcomes but also strengthens community connection.

What’s something patients are often surprised to learn about midwives?

Patients are often surprised to learn that midwives provide 24/7 care, supported by a paging system that allows clients to reach a member of the team directly in urgent situations. Having access to a midwife when questions arise or guidance is needed helps with timely triage and reassurance. This availability makes care both highly responsive and deeply personal, and can make a meaningful difference in how supported clients feel.

Where can we find you outside work?

Colleagues and patients may be surprised to learn that, alongside my clinical work, I also teach in the McMaster Midwifery Education Program at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Outside of work, I’m a proud basketball parent who enjoys cheering on my kids and connecting with other families on the sidelines. I also love painting with watercolours, which gives me time to relax, reflect, and be creative.

Read more about the people behind your care!