Ellen Howard

Ellen Howard, CNM

Overall patient rating:

Book Appointment Laurel OB/GYN

Languages Spoken By This Provider:

English, Spanish

Accepts New Patients

Telehealth Appointments Available

Education

Undergraduate School: University of New Hampshire

Hospital Affiliations

Mission Health System, including the Memorial and St. Joseph’s campuses in Asheville, NC

Ellen Howard has over 15 years of nursing experience and has been a certified nurse midwife with Laurel OB/GYN since 2016.

Ellen was born and raised in New Hampshire and attended the University of New Hampshire to study nursing, obtaining her B.S. in Nursing from UNH in 2004. She finished her final semester of coursework working and living on a Navajo Reservation in Shiprock, NM.

Ellen worked for the IHS, gaining valuable clinical and social experience while also exploring the beautiful southwestern United States. While in nursing school, a friend gave her a worn copy of Ina May Gaskin’s Spiritual Midwifery, and this writing inspired her to pursue a career in Midwifery.

Ellen moved to Asheville in 2004 as a registered nurse practicing primarily in women’s health at Mission Hospital. A few years later, she pursued her dream of becoming a midwife at East Carolina University, obtaining her Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Midwifery in 2010.

Before joining the physicians at Laurel OB/GYN, Ellen practiced as a CNM at New Dawn Midwifery in Asheville from 2011 to 2016. She has also welcomed babies as a CNM in Sylva, NC, delivering with Smoky Mountain OB/GYN at Harris Regional Hospital from 2010 to 2011.

Ellen Howard has attended over 600 childbirth deliveries throughout her career and strives to honor each woman’s individual birth plan while providing safety for her and her baby.

She is very knowledgeable about gynecology and contraception options (including natural family planning), and enjoys counseling women on the topic of family planning.

Ellen has always had a passion for travel and visiting new places. While in midwifery school, Ellen studied abroad for a summer in Puebla, Mexico taking an immersion Spanish language course. While in Mexico she was afforded the special opportunity to visit labor and delivery units and meet with local midwives working at a freestanding birth center. She has found that the ability to communicate with patients in Spanish has been invaluable while working in the medical field.

Ellen enjoys spending time with her family, taking trips, and camping. When Ellen isn’t at work and spending time with family, her favorite hobby is dancing. She loves to contra, swing, and salsa, and enjoys the vibrant dance community here in Asheville. She lives on the sest side of town with her spouse and daughter.

Patient Reviews

Overall patient rating for UWH of The Carolinas:

Treatment / Procedure

Very professional and informative!

Breast Exam

Dr Beeson was very personable and thorough. She made feel very comfortable.

Annual Well Woman Exam

The wait itself was long, but Jessica is always great

Annual Well Woman Exam

Dr. Clark was recommended to me by my former, physician, Dr. Robert E. Littleton. He told me that his wife, Mrs. Littleton was a patient of Dr. Clark's. Dr. Clark is a great listener and takes special care to share needed information. She gave time for my husband and I to talk as well. My husband was very happy to be a part of the appointment this Monday. It was necessary, she thought for me to have another bone density test and arranged for us to stay after the appointment and have this test. This was a great help as we live quite a distance in North Raleigh from Rex. Dr. Clark is warm and friendly. I am fortunate to have her as a doctor.

Annual Well Woman Exam

Ann Martin is congenial, professional and has an aptitude for putting me at ease.

OB Care

Got everything I needed done timely and the doctors and nurses were thorough and answered all my questions.

Candidiasis / Yeast Infection

Beth Lane is always attentive to my needs and listens to me. I feel she truly cares about me and I do not feel rushed. I appreciate her care for patients.

OB Care

My provider actually sat and talked with me and explained things in a way I could understand. She made me feel like my concerns or questions weren't crazy and answered them honestly

Annual Well Woman Exam

Dr. Goodwin is very kind, thorough, and knowledgeable.

Annual Well Woman Exam

Dr. Erika Clark has phenomenal bedside manners. She explained in detail what she was doing while examining me. Made me feel like a human and not a number.

Annual Well Woman Exam

Medical assistant was not very friendly

Gynecological Exams

I always feel like Dr. Roberts is really listening to me. She makes me feel like she cares about me.

Childbirth / Labor & Delivery

I was greeted very warmly and everything was explained to a t! Awesome bedside manner.

Gynecological Exams

Office staff friendly. Doctor saw me on time. Doctor and nurse very friendly, personable and make the visit as pleasant as can be. I felt heard and feel my issues are being addressed very well. I have full confidence in my Doctor and appreciate her!

Annual Well Woman Exam

Professional, knowledgeable, helpful

Annual Well Woman Exam

I appreciate that Dr. Freeman is very personable and relatable. She's very transparent and listens.

Pap Smear

Office and staff were very professional. However, the wait time in the exam room was over 30 minutes. Way to long to wait undressed in a gown.

Blood Draw

First time meeting Dr. Wright due to Dr. Hawes retiring. Comfortable, professional appointment. Dr Wright was attentive to my history and reason for visit. Very pleased with visit.

Annual Well Woman Exam

Very personable, actually listens.

Annual Well Woman Exam

Both Ms. Alyssa and Ms. Chelsie were fabulous!! Never had either of them before, and they made me feel so welcomed and like I had known them for years. All of the staff was extremely nice!