News & Updates
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December 7, 2020
WNC Birth Center Now Offering Planned Hospital Births!
Because birth options matter...
We have listened to our community needs, and we are adjusting our services accordingly. The WNC Birth Center midwives are now offering a limited number of planned hospital births at Mission Hospital. This is an excellent opportunity for people who desire the personalized care of midwives but are still uncertain if out-of-hospital birth is for them. It's also a great option for people who are otherwise healthy but have certain factors that make the hospital the safest location for birth.
We will welcome transfers of care up to 32 weeks.
If this option is of interest to you, please reach out to our Office Manager, Kelly, at kheinerth@wncbirthcenter.com for more information.
We look forward to providing more services to more people in our community!
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June 25, 2020
COVID-19 UPDATE
Here is the most recent information regarding Covid-19 from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/pregnancy-breastfeeding.html
WNC Birth Center continues to maintain its Covid-19 protocol, including requiring masks on everyone in our building not in labor or birthing, allowing only patients to attend appointments, and using telemedicine for about half of a person's prenatal care.
Safety is our top priority! We will keep evaluating as this situation changes. Please know that we are doing our best to keep our community's best interest at heart during these challenging times. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out! We are here for you!
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March 17, 2020
COVID-19 UPDATE
WNC Birth Center is adjusting its policies and procedures in an effort to comply with CDC and WHO guidelines for social distancing. This includes a sharp increase in sanitizing rooms and equipment and combining telemedicine with in-office visits. One of our staff will be in touch about which appointment type is right for you at your current stage of pregnancy.
We are asking our patients to come alone to appointments. Partners, children, and other loved ones must remain at home or in vehicles during appointments.
The family waiting room in the birth center wing is CLOSED. Please limit your birth support team to one or two persons. Children must remain at home. Each support person will be screened upon entry.
We know these changes are difficult and upsetting, and we did not make these decisions lightly. The health and safety of our patients and staff are our highest priorities, and we sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation!
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November 19, 2019
Mountain X'press Give!Local Campaign
Give!Local is an online giving campaign that raises funds and awareness for local nonprofits and we have been selected as a beneficiary! Click here to learn how you can help us!
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October 29, 2019
More Than Births!
We’re sure the first thought that comes to mind when you hear WNC Birth Center is babies, but did you know we're more than that? We have many other services available and one of our most popular visits are actually well woman checks! CLICK HERE TO READ MORE...
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August 20, 2018
New Midwives!
WNC Birth Center is proud to announce that we have added two Certified Nurse-Midwives to our staff! Jessica Williamson joined us last month after spending time practicing midwifery in Haiti, and Rani Khan returned as Director of Midwifery last week. Welcome ladies! We are so glad you're here!
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April 17, 2018
We're raising money for the March of Dimes!
Help us support healthy moms and healthy babies by donating to the March of Dimes. We have donation boxes set up in our waiting room and family room where you can buy an announcement card for $1. You can also donate online and sign up to walk with us on May 5, 2018 here.
Thank you for your support!
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May 1st, 2017
WNC Birth Center is Hiring!
Additional Client Care Coordinator
We are growing and looking for a second dynamic person to provide administrative client support in our midwifery office. This is a full-time, entry level position with room to grow for the right person. A qualified person must be supportive of the midwifery model of care, possess excellent customer service skills, exhibit a attention to detail, and be dependable.
40 hours\week
Job requirements and skill set:
- Client care support
- Exceptional communication skills
- Proficient in computer skills
- Stocking and prepping exam rooms
- Provider support
- Preparing lab orders and specimens for transfer
- Administrative assistance to Executive Director
Qualifications:
- Minimum education of at least A.A.S in Office Management or Business Administration preferred.
- Two years previous medical office experience preferred.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, practice management software, electronic medical records. (We currently use Athena)
- Understanding of HIPAA regulations.
Starting wage of $13.00 an hour, 90 day probationary period.
Send resume to:
Nancy Koerber, CPM, CPC
Executive Director
WNC Birth Center
P.O. Box 58
Asheville, NC 28802-0058
nkoerber@wncbirthcenter.com
No phone calls please
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March 6th, 2017
Good news on the insurance front!! We now have contracts for our provider fees with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicaid, Medcost, and Crescent plans Healthgram and Kanwha. Contracts for our facility fee (use of the birth wing) are also in place with Medicaid and Medcost. BCBS and others are expected to follow soon.
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January 3rd, 2016
Great news!! We just received word that our midwives and facility are now enrolled with Medicaid. Still awaiting word from other insurers. We'll keep you posted. Visit our FAQs page for up-to-date information.
WNC Birth Center is CABC Accredited and now part of the 1/3 of birth centers nationwide to have achieved that distinction! Now on to securing those contracts with insurance companies and Medicaid.
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October 20th, 2016
RN labor/birth assistants needed! We're looking for experienced nurses with NRP and BLS certification to be on call (at least one 48-hour weekend per month) to assist Rani or Angie at natural births in our beautiful "home". Send resume to admin@wncbirthcenter.com or WNC Birth Center, PO Box 58 Asheville, NC 28802.
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October 16th, 2016
A big thanks to our sponsors and many attendees of last Sunday's Baby Shower Fundraiser...a fun and valuable gathering! We were delighted with the turnout and generosity of all involved! While several items on our Gift Registry were claimed by generous donors, there are still plenty of options to choose from. Check it out, help us with our start-up costs and be proud for helping make this important birth option possible.
A special thanks to our Platinum and Village Builder Sponsors. You're continued support is appreciated.
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October 3rd, 2016
Have you marked your calendar? Our Baby Shower is just days away (this Sunday to be exact). We're excited about seeing you and showing off our lovely "birthplace"! If you're among the many who've told us "I'll be there, but I keep forgetting to order my ticket!", it's not too late. Order it here and show us how much you care about the success of this long-awaited, family-friendly birth alternative. You can also check out our "Gift Registry" if you would like to donate to help us meet our financial demands. Come anytime Sunday, the 9th, between 2 and 5 PM and bring a friend...Remember, this is a fundraiser for the birth center so all donations, including your ticket price, are tax-deductible. See you Sunday!
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September 15th, 2016
Our 4th beautiful birth happened at Mission Hospital. On Saturday, birth center clients, Sarah and Tyler Ervin, welcomed little Waylon James Tyler to the world. Because Waylon chose to come at less than 35 weeks, birth center protocols mandated that he be born in the hospital where the birth was attended by our midwives, Rani and Angie. He weighed in at 5 lbs. and was so healthy, a NICU stay was not necessary. The Ervins sang the praises of their care both at the hospital and prenatally at our center. Congratulations to the Ervin family!
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September 9t, 2016
We need your support! Join us October 9th from 2-5pm for our Baby Shower Fundraiser Event. You can purchase your $25 ticket today. Bring your family, tell your friends, see you there!
For more details visit the Baby Shower Fundraiser Event Page. To become a sponsor for this event RSVP here and show your support for the WNC Birth Center.
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August 15th, 2016
OUR FIRST BABY has arrived! The dream is now reality!! At 9:57 yesterday morning, our CNMs, Rani Khan and Angie Logan, introduced WNC Birth Center's first baby to his family following a lovely waterbirth, this handsome little fellow met his parents, Emily and Kyle, and siblings, North and Cora. Congratulations to all! What a privilege to have this lovely family be part of such an exciting time in our history!
Thank you!
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July 30th, 2016
We did it! We made it through our first accreditation visit. A stressful and very full 3 days for our staff and board, as a representative from the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers examined, reviewed and recorded every aspect of our facility, clinical policies, credentials, emergency preparedness and relationship with MAHEC and Mission Hospital. Fortunately, both before and during the visit, we had the full support and guidance of administrators from our "sister" center, Women's Birth and Wellness Center in Chapel Hill. While it's likely to be at least 2 months before we receive official word, we have every reason to believe we met the requirements.
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July 27th, 2016
Tuesday was a very exciting day at the birth center as we accepted delivery of three luxury mattress/box spring sets and bed frames from Mattress Man Stores. Owner, Chuck Emrick and his wife, Susan, were so impressed by our mission and their tour of the birth suites they agreed to take care of all our bedding needs...no charge! They even included lovely waterproof mattress pads! If you need a new bedding set, please stop by one of the local Mattress Man stores, thank them for their generosity and give them your business.
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July 23th, 2016
Laura Lefevre (right) and Judy Major making it official. Laura and her husband, Gilles, have been steadfast volunteers over the past month and just yesterday, spent 8 hours working hard to help prepare the center for our accreditation visit this week. Let's have a shout-out to all our volunteers. The WNC Birth Center would absolutely not be possible without them!
Exciting times! Our 6th well-attended gathering of pregnant women and their partners wanting to learn about the birth center and meet our midwives.
Christmas in July! A "midwife's Christmas" as Rani and Angie open our very first medical supply order in preparation for patients on Tuesday. -
June 18th, 2016
Very Important News!! It's Official!! Physicians with MAHEC Family Medicine and OB/Gyn departments will back up our midwives. Dr. Melissa Hicks, Family Medicine faculty member at MAHEC, is now our Medical Director. We are excited about this important step forward and pleased to welcome Dr. Hicks to the WNC Birth Center Team.
Meet Our Midwives sessions will begin next week, though currently spaces at those are being filled with those VERY patient women on our waiting list. Questions, Contact Us.
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May 2016
"When will you open?!" We understand why this is a frequent question. After all, birth doesn't wait. Rest assured, WE WANT THIS AS MUCH AS YOU DO and are working very hard every single day to make it happen. However, there are still things to be accomplished that are beyond our control...finalizing an agreement with our medical back-up, enough progress on our renovations to pass a mandatory inspection. Only then can we equip/stock our health services wing and begin seeing clients. The women on our waiting list will be the first to know when we're ready to schedule appointments. This is also a critical time financially. The most generous donation you can afford is a tangible demonstration of how much you want this new birth option. Please help us by making a contribution of any amount here or contact us for dedication options. Thank you for your patience and support.
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March 2016
We're Hiring - Help open Western North Carolina's first non-profit, accredited birth center!
FT CNM
Full-scope midwifery. Out-of-hospital experience preferred. Preference given to Western North Carolina (local) applicants with NC licensure, competitive salary plus benefits. A demanding position that works best when there is family and partner support, but also one of the most rewarding experiences a true midwife could hope for. Anticipated start date May-June 2016 or earlier if you are available.Front Desk Coordinator
Manage and perform a variety of tasks to maintain the smooth operation of the front office and reception area. Assist midwives and RNs in providing excellent care to our clients while fulfilling our mission... "providing a safe, comfortable environment where birth is normal and women's health can thrive." Telephone reception and scheduling appointments; registration and checkout of clients; electronic medical record keeping; billing and other tasks as needed. Position requires superior interpersonal skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills and flexibility. Anticipated start date late March- early April.*Two year's work-related experience and high school diploma or equivalent required (college preferred); adult and infant CPR certification preferred; notary license preferred.
Send cover letter and resume for either of the above positions to wncbirthcenter@gmail.com or WNC Birth Center P.O. Box 58, Asheville, NC 28802
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Late February 2016
* Capital campaign launched last fall- $800,000 goal to cover renovations and 6-months start-up/operating expenses. Donations large and small needed now. Email us for information on naming opportunities.
* Plan to begin prenatal care in April.
* Renovations on target for completion early June; first babies July.
* Accreditation scheduled for Jun 28th-30th.
* Have chosen our Director of Midwifery, Rani Khan, CNM and ED/Business Director, Nancy Koerber.
* Will be advertising soon for receptionist and PRN labor assistants (RNs).
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August 2016
Our "Before" Tours. The Steering Committee invites you to visit the center and see our architect's plans for renovations. These tours will be offered every other Saturday at 3 pm and every other Wednesday at noon beginning Saturday, August 1 and Wednesday August 12. Registration is requested. Check our Facebook page for registration, the schedule and updates.
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May 2015
We have a home! Earlier this month, we signed a long-term lease with "first option to buy" on that "dream home" we've been talking about for months. At 390 South French Broad, WNC Birth Center will be less than 3 minutes from Mission Hospital, but in a quiet, protected setting. Check out this newsletter for photos, a peak at our architect's proposed floor plans and details about what's ahead.
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November 27th, 2014
We’ve met and now exceeded the goal for the Midwife/Physician Challenge 3 days ahead of schedule! That translates into nearly $26,000 in start-up funds to build and launch our capital campaign. Of course, until we're fully operational and can begin billing for our services, we'll continue to need more money, so if you didn't help us meet the Challenge match, please consider making a donation now.
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May 2014
Many thanks to our Wonderful 100 and others of you who have helped us "get off the ground" financially! Your donations have been used in part to cover the $700 annual fee for membership in AABC (2012 & 2013), pay the $850 IRS application fee, keep a website presence, cover the cost of gas to visit model birth centers, maintain a PO box and purchase business cards and marketing materials from AABC.
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October 2nd, 2014
Latest breaking news! Administrators at Mission Hospitals are supportive of our efforts to open a community based, freestanding birth center. We're also discussing the possibility of clinical collaboration and partnering with Mission for ultrasound services and certain prenatal labs. We are very encouraged by these latest developments.