Harris Regional Hospital, Center for Native Health Strengthen Partnership to Support Mothers and Babies

Harris Regional Hospital’s New Generations Family Birthing Center and The Center for Native Health are strengthening their partnership in support of mothers, babies, and families across western North Carolina, reflecting a shared commitment to collaborative and culturally relevant care.

The partnership connects hospital-based maternity services with community-based support in ways that strengthen the care experience for families before, during, and after birth. It also reflects a broader commitment to ensuring Native patients and families feel respected and well-supported throughout their care.

“We are grateful for this opportunity to partner with Harris in support of mothers and babies,” said Kristina Hyatt, director of relational health for The Center for Native Health. “Working together respectfully helps ensure that mothers feel heard and cared for throughout their birth experience and strengthens the overall network of care for families in our community.”

The Center for Native Health’s mission is to support the balanced well-being of southeastern Native communities through the preservation and respectful application of Native knowledge to empower the people, land, and culture. A strong partnership with Harris Regional is an important priority for the organization, particularly as its first cohort of doulas has begun supporting families who deliver at the hospital.

Recently, New Generations was honored to receive a generous gift of new bassinets from The Center for Native Health.

“Supporting families during birth means more than providing excellent clinical care, although that is always our foundation,” said Savannah Hicks Baylon, MSN, RN, director of women’s and children’s services at Harris Regional Hospital. “It also means building strong relationships with community partners to help ensure families feel respected, supported, and safe throughout their experience. We are grateful to The Center for Native Health for this generous gift and for the growing partnership it represents as we continue working together to strengthen care for the families we serve.”

Harris Regional Hospital’s New Generations Family Birthing Center continues to be a leader in labor and delivery care in western North Carolina, delivering more than 600 babies in 2025. The center includes a Level II Special Care Nursery, allowing the hospital to care for babies who need additional monitoring or specialized support after birth, including infants born moderately premature or those with certain medical needs.