the love behind MODABA

Fatima has been a birthworker for over 20 years. She began her path in the birthworld as a DONA certified doula and a HealthConnect One Community Based Doula trainer. In 2008, she started her journey to direct entry midwifery and is now a Traditional Midwife.  This led her to offer homebirth and birth center care in Tucson, El Paso, Uganda, Haiti and locally in the Phoenix community. 

Fatima has worked in the local Phoenix community since 2004, where she was employed with the Phoenix Birthing Project focusing on reducing high infant mortality rates in the African American community. Since then, she has continued to focus on improving  birth outcomes and experiences for African American, BIPOC and underserved families. This is achieved through offering information, education, support and quality care. The goal is to reduce health disparities,  infant mortality and promote reproductive justice while helping families to greater empower themselves in the time surrounding pregnancy and postpartum.  

The world health organization reports a shortage of 900,000 midwives. "Fully investing in midwives by 2035 would avert roughly two-thirds of maternal, newborn deaths and stillbirths, saving 4.3 million lives per year." 

- World Health Organization

Therefore she is dedicated to training midwives and doulas of color to go back into our communities and offer quality care and support. 

Fatima also has a Master's Degree in Public health from A.T. Still University and a Bachelor of Science in Plant Biology from the University of Arizona. One way she utilizes these skills is through work with the local South Phoenix Community of Practice to improving quality food access, food autonomy and wellness for families in the South Phoenix Area. Currently focusing on the:

2025 Food Action Plan:

Goal 1: Healthy Food for All

Goal 2: Strengthening our Local Economy

Goal 3: Celebrate Local & Diverse Agriculture

Goal 4: Maintain a Sustainable Environment

Goal 5: A Resilient Food System

" MODABA stands for more than Moms, Dads & Babies.

 We stand for a thriving family and community!"

OUR MISSION IS OUR PEOPLE

HEALTHY, 

EMPOWERED 

& THRIVING

 - Fatima Muhammad Roque