Expanding our Impact: Welcoming Early Prenatal Care's new hire Amy Atkeisson, NP

Watermark Health is excited to announce an increased capacity to our Early Prenatal Care Service Line with the addition of Amy Atkeisson, NP!

Starting with sonogram services on site in 2021, and eventually growing to it’s own independent service line in 2023, Early Prenatal Care at Watermark Health has become a crucial step in providing hope and ensuring the health and well-being of both mothers and developing babies. As women arrive with a variety of pregnancy related medical needs, Watermark Health staff diagnoses pregnancies, and work with the mother to monitor the pregnancy, identify and manage potential complications, and provide essential health education. This team is both engaging women in times of great joy and celebration, as well as being a resource and support through uncertainty or grief.

For women in low-income communities, access to early prenatal care can be particularly challenging due to financial constraints, lack of transportation, and limited availability of healthcare services. Making prenatal care more accessible to these women is vital, as it can significantly reduce the risks of preterm births, low birth weight, and maternal and infant mortality. By adding Amy to the team, our ministry will be able to serve more women in this crucial medical moment in their life and connect them to various pastoral and spiritual resources during their care.

Amy's path to medicine was not a straightforward one. Initially enrolled as a business management major, she felt a calling to change her major to nursing early on in college. This initially felt surprising because she did not academically thrive in science classes in high school. "I thought it was crazy that God had put this on my heart," she recalls, "but I made a deal with myself to take anatomy and physiology and at least pursue nursing enough to try that. I was surprised to find out I didn’t only pass those classes, but was asked to tutor others." This turning point set her on a path to a fulfilling career in nursing.

Her experiences in labor and delivery at Baylor Scott and White Grapevine were transformative. Amy spent nine years there, delivering babies and supporting women through both joyous and challenging times.

"I don't ever wish a fetal demise on someone, but I loved being able to be a support for women when it happened," she shares.

Little did she know how being in a setting where she had to hold the daily tension of grief and joy within back-to-back patient visits was preparing her for our Early Prenatal Care service line.

In addition to caring for moms and babies, the Lord also began to build a desire in Amy to be a part of missional medicine. This was first ignited during a medical mission trip to Uganda in 2019. The experience of serving South Sudanese refugees left a profound impact on her. "We saw as many patients as we possibly could but had to turn away hundreds who had walked miles to see us," she recalls. This experience fueled her desire to do more. After a number of other international trips, she felt led her to pursue further education as a Nurse Practitioner so that she could further serve patients on the margins.

Her journey was not without challenges. Being pro-life in a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner program was isolating at times. "I was often the only one who valued the sanctity of life," Amy explains. Despite the difficulties, she remained steadfast in her beliefs and commitment to advocating for the preborn.

Eventually, this path led Amy to Watermark Health, where she began serving with us as a volunteer in 2023.  As an opening for additional Early Prenatal Care staff to increase capacity for patient care was made possible through a grant partnership with Council For Life, the staff team quickly began conversations with Amy about the open role.

“One unique thing I’ve noticed only in my first month here is how international our patient population is." Amy shared.  "Growing up, my family would take annual mission trips to Mexico, and for a while I assumed that I would end up being a long-term missionary in Mexico. Then I went to my first overseas mission trip to Thailand and fell in love with that people and that culture and I was sure I was going to be a long-term missionary in Thailand. But then I went to China and spent three months there while in college and I did not want to come home. I felt similar during medical mission trips to Uganda and Ecuador….It feels like I've left my heart all over the world. Getting to work at Watermark Health on any given day, you can minister to someone from Mexico and Thailand and China and Uganda and Ecuador. I never would have guessed this was how God would use that part of my story and desires.”

As our Early Prenatal Care team grows, we’re celebrating the ongoing impact this will have in increasing patient volumes and scope of care for women in at-risk situations. Even in her first month of working with Watermark Health Amy and the team have had opportunities to celebrate as women who were previously abortion determined change their minds because of the lovingkindness and support they found through Watermark Health.

"Everyone here truly loves the patients and gets to know them beyond their physical needs," Amy observes when reflecting on what’s made her time at Watermark Health different.  

This holistic approach to healthcare is what sets our ministry apart.

Amy's story is a reminder of a God who ordains our steps when we can’t see the full picture. What brave next step do you sense God is calling you to? If you feel led to advocate for the pre-born, serve the nations, or grow in sharing your faith- consider

joining us at Watermark Health as a donor or volunteer. Find out more here.