We Understand Women

As an all-female, Board Certified, group of Doctors, Nurse Practitioners and Midwives we understand women.
We are women, mothers, sisters and daughters, just like you, so we understand your concerns and can relate to your needs.

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Dr. L. Jennifer Murphy M.D. FACOG

Graduate of the University of Illinois School of Medicine, Peoria, IL
Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Fellow of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
​Advanced Training in Functional Medicine

Dr. Cheryl Short M.D. FACOG

Graduate of the University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL
Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
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Dr. Crystal Strickland M.D. FACOG

Graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Memphis, TN
Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

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Ashley Kohler, DNP

Bachelor's of Science in Nursing from Purdue University
Master's of Science in Nursing from Loyola University Chicago
Doctor of Nursing practice from Valparaiso University
National Laser Institute, Certified Aesthetic Injector
NCC Certified Women's Healthcare Nurse Practitioner
​Certified Breastfeeding Counselor

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Ashleigh Peterson, DNP

​Ashleigh grew up in Valparaiso and is so grateful to be living with her husband and two kids in a family centered city. She and her husband love the beauty and joy that the outdoors bring and spend a lot of their time hiking, biking, and adventuring. She and her family are active members at Calvary Church in Valpo. Ashleigh is passionate about encouraging women to live healthy lives through nutrition and fun movement. Ashleigh is thrilled to join an incredible team of women who care so well for the women in this community. 

Val Allmon, C.N.M.

Hi, my name is Val. I graduated from Purdue North Central with my Bachelors of Science in Nursing. In 2015, I started my love for Labor and Delivery at South Lake Methodist in Merrillville. The following year, I began at Porter and it has been my home ever since. My passion is in pregnancy. I love to talk about labor, pregnancy, and childbirth education. I was also a childbirth educator while attending Frontier Nursing University to receive my masters as a Certified Nurse Midwife.  I recently graduated in September (2022) and I am so excited to share my knowledge and passion with the women of Northwest Indiana to have a wonderful birthing experience in a safe environment guided by evidence based care and shared decision making. 
​I think what really makes this midwifery program special is that I have worked side by side with our physicians for many years. This creates a solid foundation for our team filled with trust and support. They were also there for me throughout the pregnancy and birth of my two beautiful children. I am so excited to be joining the OGA family! ​

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Jessica Oppolo, C.N.M

​Jessica is a Certified Nurse-Midwife who has spent 18 years in the field of nursing. She has experience in postpartum, lactation, newborn, and special care nursery, but her primary focus has been pregnancy, labor, and birth. Throughout her career, witnessing the compassionate care provided by exceptional midwives inspired her to pursue her master’s degree in Nurse-Midwifery. She is passionate about advocacy, consent, and the right to self-determination. Jessica is a proud mother to 3 children, and she understands how impactful the care given during pregnancy and birth can be for the mother and family.    
“I chose midwifery care for my pregnancies because of the special bond built in that relationship. Trust, respect, safety, and evidenced-based care centered on the woman’s individual needs and desires are central to nurse-midwifery care. I want more women to experience that type of care during pregnancy and beyond, and that is what inspired me to become a nurse-midwife.”

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Jackie Petrov, C.N.M.

Jaclyn “Jackie” Petrov is an experienced midwife that is excited to be joining us here at OGA! Prior to midwifery, Jackie spent time as a labor and delivery nurse in central Illinois, New York City and Chicago. She completed her Midwifery degree at Frontier Nursing University in 2018 and has been practicing full scope midwifery ever since. She is passionate about empowering women through education about their healthcare. She stays current on evidence based care and is always happy to share the latest and greatest innovations in healthcare and up to date recommendations. 

Jackie is an Illinois native that has relocated to Northwest Indiana to be closer to her husband’s BIG FAT GREEK family. Jackie is Polish and fluent in the Polish language. She lives at home with her husband and two vizsla dogs, Ruby and Balos. In her free time she enjoys traveling to Florida to visit her family and exploring locally with her pups. ​