In 2020, MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach developed a partnership with Long Beach Moms. Founded in 2014, the purpose of Long Beach Moms is to connect moms by creating a sense of a local village within a huge city. They are a trusted source for navigating motherhood in Long Beach and surrounding areas.
“We thought partnering with Long Beach Moms would be a great way for us to share health education resources to families in our area,” says Shari Kelly, MSN/MSHA, RN, NE-BC, C-ONQS, RNC-OB, executive director, Cherese Mari Laulhere BirthCare Center and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Miller Children’s & Women’s. “They are a target group for us to share upcoming events, lactation resources, support groups and more.”
Prior to this partnership, Long Beach Moms has had a connection with Miller Children’s & Women’s through fundraising. For several years, they have participated in the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Institute’s Adopt-A-Family Program.
“Because Long Beach Moms was founded with the community in mind, giving back is very natural,” says Angelica Wheaton, founder, Long Beach Moms. “We value Long Beach and all it has to offer. We’re raising the next generation, so we want to support the city we’re raising our families in. The Adopt-A-Family Program gives us an avenue to donate to moms in our area who need extra support.”
Through the formal partnership, Miller Children’s & Women’s hosts quarterly Q&A sessions with different health care experts – giving members direct access to pediatric specialists.
Long Beach Moms’ website includes a blog and directory of family-friendly local resources. You also can sign up for their e-newsletter and their private Facebook group, which currently has more than 3,000 members.
“We are so excited for this partnership,” says Kelly. “For many Long Beach moms, we’re the first people they see when they become moms, so we’re happy to continue supporting them throughout all stages of motherhood.”