01/06/2026
✨ Meet the Midwives: Spotlight Series ✨ Our first spotlight of the year honors Chris Kocis, former Director of Midwifery.
A true pioneer of our practice, Chris helped shape who we are today. Her dedication, integrity, and genuine care continue to have a meaningful impact on our team and the families we serve. Read below to learn more about her.
✨How long have you been a midwife, and what led you to this work?
I have been a midwife at Stony Brook for almost 29 years! I worked as a nurse for 18 years prior to becoming a midwife and felt that the people I cared for did not have true advocates for their reproductive health care. I decided that becoming a midwife would give me the opportunity to fill that role and I have been happily advocating for these families ever since!
🩷 What do you love most about being a midwife?
There are so many wonderful aspects of practicing as a midwife; helping to educate women about options for their health care, having the honor of being present and witnessing their strength and power as they give birth and having a relationship with them that lasts a lifetime.
💭What does being part of the Stony Brook Midwives team mean to you?
Being a member of this incredible team of Stony Brook midwives has been such an honor and a joy. To be part of a highly functioning, skillful and caring group is truly a blessing for which I am eternally grateful. We have a shared mission and passion to provide respectful, evidence-based, quality care to all our patients.
⛵️Can you tell us a little about yourself outside of work?
Outside of work I am a mother to three and grandmother to nine. I enjoy cooking, gardening and sailing with my husband of 47 years! I have lived on Long Island most of my life and love all the aspects of the changing seasons. I am a big fan of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and Grateful Dead music!
