Meet the Team
Kristin Schwartz
CNM, APRN, WHNP-BC
Owner & Clinical Director
Kristin leads our team and created the vision for Glow Midwifery & Wellness. When not seeing patients, she is working to continuously improve patient care and develop new services to meet the growing healthcare needs of the community.
Kristin joined the profession of Nurse Midwifery in 2017 after practicing as an Oncology nurse for three years and achieving a dual degree in Midwifery and Women’s Health from Georgetown University based in Washington, DC. As a midwife Kristin seeks to develop relationships with patients that are built on trust, compassion, and education. She has had the fortunate opportunity to empower women and their families through the birth process by supporting their choices and providing them with comprehensive care on their journey. She has also pursued her passion in global health through serving internationally on medical mission trips in Malawi, Africa. These experiences, combined with her clinical background, have enabled her to provide a personalized level of care for each patient. She enjoys seeing couples become parents for the first time and guiding families through the initial postpartum process. She has previously been involved in the American College of Nurse Midwives by facilitating fundraising efforts to further Midwifery through the political action committee.
Before starting Glow Midwifery & Wellness, she owned and was the Clinical Director of KC Full Circle starting in 2023. Prior to that, Kristin worked at Lee’s Summit Medical Center and delivered babies at Research Medical Center for over 5 years.
Outside of her passion for serving women and their families, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two sons, being with family, taking road trips, snuggling with her dog or cat on the couch, and being an active member of her church.
Mary Sarmento Leite
APRN, CNM, WHNP-BC
Certified Nurse Midwife
Mary is a Certified Nurse Midwife and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner who graduated from Georgetown University’s dual-track program. She is dedicated to providing compassionate, holistic care across the lifespan and is passionate about supporting physiologic birth. Mary partners with individuals and families to promote informed decision-making and deliver high-quality, personalized care.
Kristen Smith
RN
Maternal and Newborn Nurse Educator
Kristen’s passion for birth began at just nine years old after becoming a big sister for the first time. From that moment, she was captivated by the experience of bringing new life into the world. In 2011, she began her career at New Birth Company, where she had the opportunity to witness firsthand the profound impact that education, encouragement, and support can have on a woman’s birth experience. Working directly beside Nurse Midwives, she discovered her passion for empowering women to feel confident, informed, and supported as they navigate one of life’s most transformative experiences.
Kristen received her nursing degree in 2015 and began her nursing career on the Postpartum Unit at Research Medical Center, where she developed a deep appreciation for caring for new mothers and their babies during those important first days of parenthood. She has also worked at Overland Park Regional Medical Center and Olathe Medical Center as a Labor and Delivery nurse and a PRN nursing position.
Kristen married her husband in November 2015 and together have 3 beautiful children.
Today, Kristen’s professional goals have evolved beyond bedside nursing. She is passionate about using her years of experience in postpartum, newborn, and labor and delivery care to help new parents feel prepared, consented, confident, and empowered as they transition into parenthood. If you ask her what the best part of her job is she would tell you that she “especially enjoys teaching families about newborn care, helping them understand what to expect, and providing practical education that they can feel empowered to make informed decisions about their birth.”
Braylynn Lanning
Clinical Operations and Billing Specialist
Braylynn earned her bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management from National American University (NAU). She also completed an Associate’s of Applied Science as a Registered Medical Assistant at NAU. With more than a decade of experience in the healthcare field, Braylynn is dedicated to ongoing self-improvement and learning. Her passion for patient care is evident in her commitment to providing exceptional experiences for both patients and their families. Braylynn’s enthusiasm and love for the healthcare industry shine through in all aspects of her work.
Outside of work, Braylynn values spending quality time with her family, which includes her two sons and daughter. She is a devoted fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals, and enjoys watching NASCAR races on Sundays during the season. When her schedule permits, Braylynn likes to relax by fishing and appreciating the outdoors.
