What is your role with Community Healthcare System?
I am the perinatal navigation coordinator at Community Hospital. My role is to provide support, information, education and connection to community services to women experiencing at-risk pregnancies. I connect with them as early as possible prenatally and follow them through their birth and postpartum period.

What was your inspiration for getting into healthcare?
Since I was little girl, I have always aspired to be a nurse. My mom bought me a nurse kit when I was 5, and from that moment, I never wanted to be anything else. Nursing is a profession based on compassion and service to individuals at their most vulnerable. I wanted to be a part of bringing hope and healing to people. That’s what nursing is to me. 

What is a typical day like for you?
I get the opportunity to meet mothers, fathers and new babies who need support, hope, encouragement, education and connection to community organizations that can meet their needs in wonderful ways. It is so rewarding to be able to provide connections to counselors, treatment centers, transportation resources, food resources, baby supplies, diapers and so much more, and to see their appreciation. For example, it does no good to schedule a follow-up appointment for a mother or baby if they have no way to get to the appointment. That’s some of what I do – provide that missing element to help provide continuity of care for each mom and baby. 

How long have you been employed here?
Sixteen years.

What are some of the big changes you have experienced in this position?
This is a new position created originally to connect our pregnant mothers with substance use disorder to treatment as early as possible in their pregnancy to improve the health of both mother and baby. We then realized there were other issues that could adversely affect the health of mother and baby that also could be addressed early in their pregnancy, including anxiety/depression, domestic violence, transportation insecurities, food insecurities, housing insecurities and other disparities. My position has evolved to connect mothers to even more services and community organizations to provide interventions for our pregnant and postpartum mothers. 

What are some of your interests outside of work? 
I love to walk with my daughter and grandsons. I have played piano for 55 years, and play piano for my church. I love live theatre, the symphony and musical productions. My husband and I love trying new restaurants, and I love trying new foods. I love reading about interesting people who have risen to greatness from ordinary circumstances.

What do you enjoy most about working at Community Healthcare System?
This is a place where employees are supported and encouraged to grow. I was supported to pursue additional education by my managers and directors, as well as to pursue this dream of perinatal navigation. I feel the administration and staff at Community Healthcare System share a common mission of  providing compassionate service to our community, and it shows in the care we deliver to our patients. I am proud to be a part of Community Healthcare System, and I am excited to see what the coming years bring.