Meet Our Team
Eastside’s Ob-Gyns and Certified Nurse Midwives are passionate about women’s care and strive to create a supportive, nurturing environment for their patients. Each physician and midwife brings clinical talent, experience, and perspective in servicing a range of patient needs. Below, learn more about our providers and their unique contributions to our practice.
Our Obstetricians & Gynecologists
Benjamin S. Chen, M.D.
Benjamin S. Chen, M.D., received his undergraduate schooling, as well as his medical degree in 1993, from Wayne State University. He completed his residency in 1997 through Wayne State University Affiliated Hospitals, Detroit Medical Center. Since 1999, he is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology and holds privileges at Ascension St. John Hospital, Detroit; Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe; and Henry Ford Cottage, Grosse Pointe.
Carmen A. Lafia, M.D.
Carmen Lafia, M.D., received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan. She attended medical school at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and went on to complete her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. After completing residency, she returned to Michigan to serve the women of her home state. Dr. Lafia is passionate about women’s health and loves taking care of women of all different ages. She understands that gynecological concerns can be hard to talk about and she enjoys making personal connections with her patients. She has experience in high-risk obstetrics and minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. Dr. Lafia is affiliated with the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She enjoys spending time with her family. She is married and has a daughter and a bulldog.
Deborah D. Hamby, M.D.
Deborah D. Hamby, M.D., received her undergraduate degree from California State University. She received her medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1993 and completed her residency in 1997 through Wayne State University Affiliated Hospitals, Detroit Medical Center. Since 1999, she is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology and holds privileges at Ascension St. John Hospital, Detroit; Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe; and Henry Ford Cottage, Grosse Pointe.
Elizabeth Cousineau, M.D.
Elizabeth Cousineau, M.D., is a graduate of Wayne State University School of Medicine. She completed her training with Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, and attended University of Michigan for her undergraduate studies. In addition to her certifications for minimally invasive surgeries, she has a special interest in identifying, diagnosing, and treating Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, also known as PCOS. Dr. Cousineau says, “PCOS is not well understood most of the time and can involve a combination of factors, but this hormonal disorder affects many women.” Dr. Cousineau also enjoys caring for pregnant patients. She takes the time to listen and help her patients through this exciting transitional time into motherhood. Dr. Cousineau is quite the foodie, enjoys reading, and loves spending time with her family.
John A. Knapp, M.D.
John A. Knapp, M.D., received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan. He received his medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1987 and completed his residency in 1991 through Wayne State University Affiliated Hospitals, Detroit Medical Center. Since 1993, he is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology and holds privileges at Ascension St. John Hospital, Detroit; Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe; and Henry Ford Cottage, Grosse Pointe. He is also a Clinical Associate Professor at WSU School of Medicine.
Margot G. Abundis, M.D.
Margot G. Abundis, M.D., received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She received her medical degree in 1996 from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and completed her residency in 2000 through Wayne State University Affiliated Hospitals, Detroit Medical Center. Since 2003, she is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology and holds privileges at Ascension St. John Hospital, Detroit; Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe; and Henry Ford Cottage, Grosse Pointe.
Michael Mahoney, M.D.
Michael D. Mahoney, M.D., received his undergraduate degree, Summa Cum Laude, from the University of Detroit and is a graduate of Wayne State University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in 2007 at Wayne State University Affiliated Hospitals, Hutzel Women’s Hospital. Since 2007, he is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology and holds privileges at Ascension St. John Hospital, Detroit and Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe.
Paul C. Nehra, M.D.
Paul C. Nehra, M.D., received his undergraduate degree, with high honors, from the University of Notre Dame. He is a graduate of Wayne State University School of Medicine and completed his residency at Wayne State University, Detroit Medical Center, in 1983. Since 1985, he is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology and holds privileges at Ascension St. John Hospital, Detroit; Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe; and Henry Ford Cottage, Grosse Pointe. Dr. Nehra is a Managing Partner of Eastside Gynecology Obstetrics. He is a member of the Executive Committee at Ascension St. John Hospital, holds faculty appointments at Wayne State University School of Medicine as Clinical Associate Professor, and is an Assistant Professor at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine. Dr. Nehra is a member of the Detroit Medical Academy; he has also been published in major medical journals, including the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and The New England Journal of Medicine.
Sara Haidar, M.D.
Sara Haidar, M.D., graduated from Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) and completed her resident training at Ascension St. John Hospital and Medical Center, in Detroit, Michigan. She has special interest in contraception counseling, treatment of abnormal and heavy periods, and minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. She also enjoys obstetric care and the privilege of being a part of the life-changing journey of pregnancy and motherhood. Dr. Haidar is affiliated with the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Suzanne Hall, M.D.
Suzanne Hall, M.D., received her undergraduate degree from Miami University of Ohio, and her medical degree from Indiana University Medical School in 1993. She completed her residency in 1997 through Wayne State University Affiliated Hospitals, Detroit Medical Center. Since 1999, she is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology and holds privileges at Ascension St. John Hospital, Detroit; Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe; and Henry Ford Cottage, Grosse Pointe.
Our Midwives
Amy completed her Bachelor of Nursing degree from the University of Michigan in 1997. She spent three years in New Mexico and California as a traveling nurse in Labor and Delivery before returning to Michigan in 2001. She completed her Certificate in Nurse Midwifery in 2003 and Masters in Nursing in 2005, both from the University of Midwifery and Family Nursing. Before joining Eastside in 2014, Amy had been in practice Midwifery in Western Michigan since 2003. As a nurse midwife, Amy understands that all women and families come to the process of pregnancy and parenting with unique expectations, hopes, and fears. It is her job to listen to these needs and guide the family in making choices, which will optimize not only a healthy birth, but a positive transition to parenthood and a growing family. Amy is currently studying to become a menopause practitioner through the North American Menopause Society.
Cassi earned her BSN from Oakland University and her MSN from Wayne State University. She is certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board and licensed by the Michigan Board of Nursing. During her undergrad, Cassi decided Labor and Delivery was her passion and, fortuitously, began her nursing career in the specialty. Cassi brings 7 years of experience in Labor and Delivery, including the hospital triage setting. She is passionate about providing holistic care to women throughout their lives. While Cassi enjoys all aspects of women’s health, infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, family planning, birth, postpartum, and breastfeeding are of special interest to her. Cassi was born and raised in Michigan and is married with two daughters.
Hillary earned her RN in 2012 and her MSN in 2015, both from Marquette University. She worked in the birth center of a local hospital as a nurse and attended births as a student nurse-midwife with the University of Wisconsin Nurse-Midwives before becoming a CNM. She is certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board and licensed by the Michigan Board of Nursing. Prior to becoming a midwife, she earned a BA in anthropology from the University of Notre Dame in 2006 and an MA in linguistic anthropology from the University of Michigan in 2010. It was during her anthropology studies that she learned about and become a passionate advocate for midwifery. It is Hillary’s mission to support women through all stages in their lives, from adolescence to menopause, with compassionate, individualized, and expert care. She believes that pregnancy and childbirth are beautiful, life-changing, and natural experiences. Her strengths are connecting with women and their families on a personal level, providing continuous labor support, and advocating for clients so that they receive the care they deserve.
Jennifer earned her BSN from the University of Michigan in 1993 and obtained her MSN from Georgetown University in 1997. She joined Eastside in May of 2013, certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board, and licensed by the State of Michigan Board of Nursing. She practiced midwifery in the Washington D.C. area for approximately 10 years before moving back to the Detroit area. Jennifer’s goal is to provide women with personal and individualized evidence-based care throughout their lives. She strives to promote healthy pregnancy and natural birth for women. She feels it is important for women to be empowered in their pregnancy and birth and she encourages women to take an active role in all their health care decisions. Eastside’s Midwifery practice has given Jennifer the opportunity to provide this personal approach to women's care.
Kelsey completed her BSN in 2010 at Oakland University. As an RN, she worked in holistic and alternative medicine before transitioning to a level-one trauma nurse in Detroit for eight years. After the birth of her son, Kelsey found her passion for maternal-child healthcare and worked as a labor and delivery RN while earning her master’s degree in Certified Nurse Midwifery from Frontier Nursing University in 2020. Kelsey is certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board in addition to being licensed by the State of Michigan Board of Nursing. As a midwife, Kelsey values shared decision-making, which includes the woman and her family in developing a plan of care. It requires dedication to patient education using evidence and the belief that patients are autonomous participants in their health and wellness. Kelsey’s mission is to provide holistic health care that considers the mind, body, and spirit. Because she is also a certified yoga instructor and lifestyle education coach, she incorporates movement as medicine and mindfulness approaches for stress management. She is also committed to practicing antiracism, feminism, and LGBTQ+ affirmation. She anticipates completing her Doctorate in Nursing Practice through Frontier Nursing University in 2022.
Zoe received her Master of Science in Nurse-Midwifery from Frontier Nursing University in 2020. She is certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board and licensed by the Michigan Board of Nursing. Prior to earning her Midwifery degree, with her Associate of Science in Nursing she dedicated 17 years working as a Registered Nurse in Obstetrics, Women's Health, and Newborn Nursing. Zoe is passionate about patient advocacy through education and family-centered patient care. She has taught classes as an AWHONN Fetal Monitoring Instructor, as well as worked with healthcare and volunteer programs to develop patient-centered education plans and policies to prevent OB complication and support physiologic birth. As a midwife, Zoe brings her passion and experience in education to guide patients and families in developing individualized, equitable and affirming care across the lifespan.
