Harris Regional Hospital’s New Generations Family Birthing Center and The Center for Native Health announced on Mar. 16 that they are strengthening their partnership to better support mothers, babies, and families in western North Carolina.
The collaboration aims to connect hospital-based maternity services with community-based support, focusing on culturally relevant care for Native patients and families. This effort is intended to ensure that all families feel respected and supported before, during, and after birth.
Kristina Hyatt, director of relational health for The Center for Native Health, said, “We are grateful for this opportunity to partner with Harris in support of mothers and babies. 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 organization’s first cohort of doulas has begun supporting families delivering at the hospital. Recently, the birthing center received a donation of new bassinets from The Center for Native Health.
Savannah Hicks Baylon, MSN, RN, director of women’s and children’s services at Harris Regional Hospital, said, “Supporting families during birth means more than providing excellent clinical care, although that is always our foundation. 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.”
Ashley Hindman, chief executive officer of Harris Regional Hospital, said, “At Harris Regional, we know strong partnerships help us better serve the families who place their trust in us. We are proud to work alongside The Center for Native Health in a way that supports mothers and babies through compassionate care, mutual respect, and a shared focus on the needs of our community.” Key personnel at Harris Regional Hospital include Hindman as chief executive officer and Stephen Plemmons as market vice president of operations according to the official website.
Harris Regional Hospital operates as an 86-bed acute care facility according to the official website. It conducts community health needs assessments with local stakeholders according to the official website, aiming to enhance community health by delivering quality care according to the official website. The hospital extends its services through affiliated sites such as Swain Community Hospital in Bryson City and Medical Park of Franklin according to the official website, partnering with these facilities as part of its regional network according to the official website.
The New Generations Family Birthing Center delivered more than 600 babies in 2025. It includes a Level II Special Care Nursery capable of caring for infants needing additional monitoring or specialized support after birth.
