Meet Our Team

​Sophia Turull

Senior Student Midwife

Sophia is a student midwife currently training at Florida School of Traditional Midwifery. She holds certifications in BLS and NRP, and is deeply committed to providing compassionate, family-centered care.
Inspired to pursue midwifery by a calling the Lord placed on her heart, Sophia views this work as both a privilege and a calling. She is passionate about holistic care that honors the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the childbearing journey, and looks forward to continuing to serve families through personalized, evidence-based care.

Emily Rizzo, LM.

Emily’s journey into midwifery began with a deep passion for maternal and child health. After earning her degree in Health Sciences, she completed a Master’s in Public Health with a focus in Maternal and Child Health in 2015. During her studies, she became increasingly aware of the high cesarean rates in the U.S., which led her to shadow a midwife and earn her Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) credential.

Drawn to hands-on care, Emily went on to graduate from the Florida School of Traditional Midwifery in 2019. She has since served families through both home-birth practice and at Loving Arms Birth Center, where she is known for her calm presence and client-centered approach. Emily believes deeply in informed consent, individualized care, and empowering women as they move through pregnancy, birth, and motherhood.

A mother herself, Emily experienced a home birth with her daughter — a peaceful and transformative experience that continues to shape her work. Outside the birth center, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her two children and three dogs, soaking up sunshine and exploring local parks.

Karin L. Pugh, LM.

Karin is the mother of three adult children and a proud grandmother. She has been happily married to her husband, David, for over 40 years. Several years ago, Karin felt a deep calling to serve in the birthing community. She began her journey as a doula, supporting mothers and babies through pregnancy and birth. Through this experience, she discovered her true passion — midwifery. In 2007, Karin became a licensed midwife and began practicing home birth midwifery. As her practice grew, she realized her desire to reach more women and families. With determination and faith, and despite many challenges, Karin opened Loving Arms Birth and Wellness Center in January 2015. Today, Karin continues to dedicate her heart and experience to providing compassionate, family-centered care. Her goal is to offer a safe, nurturing, and empowering environment for every mother and baby she serves.