Samantha’s Journey into Motherhood
One Patient’s Experience
As we reflect on the past year, I wanted to express my gratitude for your generous support of NeighborHealth Center, which has made a significant impact on families across our community—including mothers like Samantha. Here, we share her powerful story.
At the young age of 22, Samantha learned that she was pregnant. As a single mother-to-be, she carried the weight of past trauma and was determined to stay sober, for herself and for the future she envisioned for her baby. Samantha made an appointment with the NeighborHealth Center prenatal team at the encouragement of her mother.
Walking into her first appointment, Samantha felt nervous and afraid, unsure of what to expect. Previously, Samantha’s only medical experience was with the family pediatrician she’d seen since childhood. When she arrived at the front desk, Samantha was greeted warmly by a team of friendly faces who instantly put her at ease.
“I almost forgot I was in a doctor’s office,” Samantha explained. “While I’d felt so anxious about the appointment, the pregnancy and the journey ahead of me, I was met with gentleness and understanding by every person I met. I never felt judged for my situation—only supported and empowered. I started to look forward to my appointments, which is something I’d never expected.”
Throughout Samantha’s pregnancy, the NeighborHealth team provided the medical and emotional support she needed to prepare for her daughter’s arrival. Her medical provider team, including Cheryl, Jocelin, and Onitisha, walked her through the development of a birth plan—with a sensitivity to previous trauma that she needed to prepare for a safe hospital delivery.
“There’s no way to describe the care and compassion I received,” Samantha continued. “Due to my history of trauma, I was so nervous about the cervical checks. My nurse practitioner never pressured me or rushed me—instead, she gave me the information and patience I needed to move forward. They empowered me to speak up and never dismissed my concerns. They turned my anxiousness into an eagerness to meet my daughter.”
On April 4, 2025, Samantha welcomed a beautiful and healthy baby girl, Zoey, to the world. Before her delivery, Samantha’s NeighborHealth nurse practitioner, Jocelin, connected with the hospital care team to ensure a smooth transition and a sensitivity to her personal history. She took time out of her busy schedule to visit Samantha in the hospital prior to delivery and again at her home after Zoey was born. Today, Zoey is nearly seven months old and Samantha has fully embraced her role as a mother—notably, she recently celebrated one year of sobriety, which is an incredible milestone for the entire family.
“Even when I returned to NeighborHealth after my delivery, I could feel their concern and love for me. While everyone else was focused on Zoey, the NeighborHealth team wanted to make sure I was OK. They encouraged me to talk about my mental health and allowed me to be vulnerable about the challenges of being a single mother. I’m so grateful for my NeighborHealth care team and experience. They helped me feel so ready to become a mother and to step into this new role.”
Samantha and Zoey’s story show just how life-changing compassionate, high-quality prenatal care can be. But too many mothers in our community don’t have access to that same care—care that can shape not only a healthy pregnancy, but an entire future for both mom and baby. Right now, thousands of women with Medicaid or no insurance in Wake County are struggling to find someone who will walk beside them through one of life’s most important moments.
You can change that. Your gift today helps ensure that every mother—no matter her circumstances— receives the care, compassion, and support she and her baby deserve. Together, we can make sure more stories end like Samantha and Zoey’s: with health, happiness, and the promise of a brighter future.
Thank you for supporting NeighborHealth Center and changing lives like Samantha and Zoey’s. Your generosity helps mothers and families get the care they need—now and in the future. Every gift makes a real difference in the health of our community.
To give, visit neighborhealthcenter.org/donate. We’re so grateful for you—we couldn’t do this without your support!
With gratitude,
Daniel Lipparelli, MBA
Chief Executive Officer
P.S. Make Twice the Impact Today—Thanks to a generous sponsor, your new or increased gift will be matched dollar for dollar (up to $30,000) to support the health of your neighbors. Make your gift by December 31 to help us fulfill this match—and transform the health and lives of the patients we serve.
