December 2022 Newsletter

In the Spirit of Giving: A Celebration of the Gifts of Time, Talent & Treasure

The holidays are upon us – it’s an important time of reflection, sacrifice and intention as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ. It’s also a time when many choose to share their gifts with one another and their communities.

Here at NeighborHealth, we are incredibly fortunate to have a deeply committed group of supporters who offer their time, talents and treasures to support our important mission. This month, we’d like to feature one special member of our community who goes above and beyond to share his gifts with us.

Getting to know Dana Simpson, NeighborHealth Board Member and Community Supporter

Dana Simpson is a long-time resident of Raleigh who grew up as the son of a small-town doctor in Asheboro, NC. As a result of his upbringing, Dana grew up around healthcare providers who were committed to taking care of those in need in his community – regardless of their ability to pay. Dana did not follow in his father’s footsteps to medical school, but instead went to law school and began a successful career as a healthcare attorney. Today, Dana supports healthcare organizations large and small as they navigate the rapidly changing landscape of legal and regulatory guidelines – and for decades, he has supported nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the health of our community – such as Alliance Medical Ministry, WakeMed Health & Hospitals – and now here at NeighborHealth Center. Dana is not only a philanthropic supporter, he serves as a valuable member of our Board of Directors. He is a loving husband to his wife, Stephanie, and a parent to three children David and Lauren, age 15; and Grant, age 13.

How did you become involved in NeighborHealth?

When NeighborHealth was being formed, I went to church with Susanne Berger, NeighborHealth’s visionary founder. After the Lord put the idea for NeighborHealth on Susanne’s heart, I had the privilege of watching her and the incredible team she assembled work tirelessly to bring that vision to fruition. Today, working on the Board of Directors, it’s been a blessing to watch this organization come to life and grow to meet so many unmet needs in our community.

Why is NeighborHealth such a gift to our community?

Healthcare has changed tremendously since I was a child watching small town family doctors deliver care to their communities. Today, in a community the size of Wake County, thousands lack access to quality medical care – and there are very few organizations who make it their mission to focus on filling these critical gaps. Yet, we know that having access to healthcare allows people to live healthier and more productive lives in our community.

Fortunately, NeighborHealth is committed to serving the most vulnerable members of our community – and their model of offering care to expectant mothers, children, and adults of all ages is a rare gift to families in our area. Add to that the holistic vision of supporting mind, body and spirit, and NeighborHealth is truly making a significant impact on so many patients’ lives. Most importantly, patients feel loved and taken care of throughout the process as the providers truly show Christ’s love through the services they provide. The work NeighborHealth does truly embodies our calling to ‘Love Thy Neighbor.’

As both a board member and community supporter, what excites you most about the future of NeighborHealth?

It’s such an exciting time to be involved at NeighborHealth. We have an incredible new facility that is already having a significant impact on our ability to better serve patients throughout Wake County. Our Board of Directors also just completed its work on an important ten-year Strategic Plan that’s designed to help NeighborHealth scale to continue meeting the growing needs of our community. With the support of our donors and supporters, we’re positioned to add new providers and new services in the coming years to fill the many care gaps our rapidly-growing community is facing. Finally, the NeighborHealth team is incredible – they are mission-driven, caring, and committed to making a difference in the lives of our fellow citizens in a very tangible way. I’m so proud to be a part of NeighborHealth and I can’t wait to see the continued impact we can have well into the future.

The holiday season is upon us. How will you and your family celebrate this year?

We look forward to spending time with family and friends. We will host my extended family in Raleigh and then travel to Banner Elk to spend time with Stephanie’s parents. This will be a big Christmas week for our family as our twins, David and Lauren, turn 16 on December 29th. I am sure that will mean some extra practice before we head to the DMV for the driver’s test.

This Christmas, please consider sharing your gifts with NeighborHealth Center by making a philanthropic donation. Every dollar raised will support our ability to address the many unmet healthcare needs of our most vulnerable neighbors.

Serving Christ by loving our neighbors through excellent, compassionate, and accessible health care.