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:

Annual Well Woman Exam

She was an excellent provider and very thorough!

OB Care

Doctor was very personable and understanding. He was also knowledgeable.

COVID / Flu / RSV Testing

Always kind, compassionate, practical treatment

Annual Well Woman Exam

Dr Segal was very patient with me, and took care to personal our visit by asking me about my overall wellness and lifestyle. I felt heard, cared for, and equipped with helpful information to keep my health a main priority.

Annual Well Woman Exam

Teri is the best!

Routine Pregnancy / Prenatal Appointment

Angie was super calming, reassuring and nice! She made me feel comfortable and answered any and all questions I had! She also made me feel heard!

Annual Well Woman Exam

She was very intuned to what I was saying. She noticed some irritated in my nose. She took time to look. She's not ENT, but she cared enough to look. She cares for her patients. I do know that.

Annual Well Woman Exam

Erin has an excellent “bedside manner”. She is very thorough, friendly, down-to-earth and professional. I never feel rushed. She helps with the anxiety of my annual visit with her calm demeanor.

Annual Well Woman Exam

Everyone was very professional and nice. Anne and her nurse have a wonderful way of making you feel relaxed and care for.

Gynecological Ultrasound / Sonogram

The ultrasound technician took the pictures with minimal patient discomfort. Dr D Andrea Was very thorough Discussing the results and formulating a follow up strategy to alleviate the problem

Annual Well Woman Exam

As always love this office for being on time and treating patients well and Dr barbee is the best. I can always trust her to listen and take issues seriously.

Annual Well Woman Exam

Dr. Walsh spoke to me in a friendly, concerned, down to earth, to the point manner. In a language I understood. Took her time examining and explaining what she was doing, ask if I had concerns, and listened emphatically and responded.

OB Care

The doctor was very knowledgeable and made me feel extremely comfortable. One of my favorite doctors at the practice!

Endometrial Biopsy

She is very friendly and explain me everything

Annual Well Woman Exam

Always treated with respect, never felt rushed or insignificant. Answered all my questions with understandable language.

Annual Well Woman Exam

I had my 1st appointment with Dr . Taavon when I was 27 ... I am now 55 . He is the kindest most professional doctor I have had the pleasure to go to . I went to him due to infertility, I have the pleasure of loving my 25 year old daughter.

Annual Well Woman Exam

Dr Booth is wonderful. She always takes the time to update me on any exams I am due for & she listens to me about my concerns.

Annual Well Woman Exam

Staff was nice as always

Annual Well Woman Exam

The staff are very nice and kept me informed of everything that was going to happen.

Blood Draw

Clean professional office. Dr. Williamson is thorough and listens.