Unlike most of us, Kelly Brewer realized early in life exactly what she wanted to do in the world. And she did it.
“I knew from the time that I was 10 that I wanted to be a baby nurse,” Brewer said. “That was the only goal, the only dream I’ve ever had. So that’s what I’ve done.”
Today, the nurse is part of First Steps, a free program supported by Novant Health Foundation that provides new parents with in-home or virtual nurse visits to support the physical and mental health of the family after the birth of a baby.
Brewer was one of the first nurses hired for the program when it debuted in Forsyth County in 2016. For her, it’s the perfect fit.
“I love my moms and babies, and that is the only reason I went to nursing school,” she said.
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New moms and dads in Davidson County became the lucky recipients of that dedication in 2019 when the program was expanded and Brewer began in-home visits with families who give birth at Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center.
“I was born and raised here in Thomasville — I was actually born right here in this hospital,” said Brewer, a mother of three.
She’s turned that hometown connection into a superpower in her job. “I like having the familiarity with the moms in this area, and I think it goes over well with them as well because I’m from here,” she said. “I can share my advice and expertise from my personal experience.”
How does First Steps work?
New parents who are residents of Forsyth or Davidson counties and who have delivered at Forsyth Medical Center, Kernersville Medical Center or Thomasville Medical Center are contacted before they are discharged from the hospital and offered First Step services New families who are residents of Guilford, Surry and Stokes counties can receive virtual nurse visits through the program.
Through July 31, 2025, the program completed 1,739 in-home and virtual visits.
“We provide a lot of education about newborn care, and we are sharing baby safety information related to safe sleep, use of car seats, bathing, and things to be aware of as the baby develops and becomes more mobile in the home environment,” said Novant Health First Steps nurse manager Brandy Whitaker, who oversees a team of five. “We also assist with connecting the parents to community resources for childcare or socialization with mom groups, or support groups if they are experiencing postpartum depression,” she said.
The goal is to provide support for new parents at home while also connecting them with resources that can help.
First Steps is made possible by support from Novant Health Foundation.
The collective generosity of meaningful giving allows Novant Health to care for more patients across our footprint, provide new equipment, support team member development and assist community members.
If you’d like to join us in making a difference, visit SupportNovantHealth.org/Give-Where-You-Live to learn more.
