Centering Parenting
Centering Parenting brings 6-8 moms, partners, support people, and their same-age infants together in community with their healthcare providers and other parents who are experiencing similar things at the same time. It fosters a safe and supportive environment to ask questions and creates lifelong bonds between families.
The benefits of Centering Parenting include:
Data has shown that Centering families have better attendance for their well-child visits. Better attendance leads to higher immunization rates, extended breastfeeding, and additional opportunities to screen for maternal mental health.
All of the activities, discussions, and patient materials in group reinforce healthy choices for the entire family.
Members of the group feel welcomed, respected, and listened to - giving them greater confidence in their parenting skills.
Additional time with a provider creates an opportunity to screen for developmental milestones and mental health concerns, leading to earlier intervention and referrals.
Centering Parenting groups foster healthy family relationships, lasting friendships, and community connections.
Sharing questions and experiences, the members of the group learn and grow with each other and the facilitation team.
You can learn more about Centering Parenting in this short video from the Centering Healthcare Institute. If you'd like to talk further with someone about Centering Parenting, please call 828-257-4730.
If you'd like to learn more about Centering Pregnancy (offered at MAHEC Ob/Gyn Specialists), please click here.
Lauren Lougee, MDPronouns: she/her/hers
Family Practice Physician Faculty
MAHEC Family Health Center at Biltmore
123 Hendersonville Road
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 257-4730
Medical School: LSU School of Medicine New Orleans
Residency Program: MAHEC Family Medicine in Asheville
Fellowship Program: MAHEC Rural Fellowship
Lauren Lougee is a full-spectrum Family Medicine physician with experience in reproductive health including prenatal care. She has interests in rural and global health and integrative medicine. She currently practices at the MAHEC Family Health Center in Asheville, NC, and the MAHEC Ob/Gyn office in Franklin, NC.
Neshell Lynch, CMA
MAHEC Family Health Center at Biltmore
123 Hendersonville Road
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 257-4730
Neshell Lynch is from Asheville, NC. She is a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant at MAHEC Family Health Center and has been Clinical Lead for three years. Centering Parenting is special to her because she loves assisting the community, making a difference in their lives, and helping parents feel more engaged, knowledgeable, and supported.
Marina MacNamara, MD, MPHPronouns: she/her/hers
Family Medicine Faculty Physician
MAHEC Family Health Center at Biltmore
123 Hendersonville Road
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 257-4730
Medical School: The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Residency Program:MAHEC Asheville Family Medicine Residency Program
Board Certification: American Board of Family Medicine
Dr. Marina MacNamara is a dedicated family physician who enjoys providing care to folks at all stages of life, including newborn, pediatric, and prenatal care. With experience in both outpatient and inpatient settings, she emphasizes a patient-centered approach to care, aiming to empower her patients to take charge of their health. Her interests include maternal and child health, complex medical needs, and mental health integration in primary care.
Rebecca Putnam, MDPronouns: she/her/hers
Family Medicine Faculty Physician
MAHEC Family Health Center at Biltmore
123 Hendersonville Road
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 257-4730
Medical School: University of Colorado School of Medicine
Residency Program: MAHEC Asheville Family Medicine Residency Program
Board Certification:American Board of Family Medicine
Dr. Putnam is a dedicated family medicine physician who loves providing evidence-informed care to people in all stages of life. She believes healthcare is a human right and loves working at MAHEC because it is a place where we strive to provide all patients with the healthcare they deserve. Her clinical interests include whole person care for adults with intellectual disabilities, women’s health, and preventive care including vaccination.
Stephanie Rosener, MD, IBCLC, FAAFPPronouns: she/her/hers
Chair, Department of Family Medicine
MAHEC Family Health Center at Biltmore
123 Hendersonville Road
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 257-4730
Medical School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Residency Program: United Family Medicine Residency Program
Board Certification: American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE)
Stephanie E. Rosener, MD, IBCLC, is an experienced family physician who cares for patients of all ages. She has a special interest in the care of women and children, including pregnancy care, and enjoys partnering with each patient to achieve optimal health. In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Rosener is an active teacher, researcher, author, and national expert on preventing prematurity—improving birth outcomes and developing innovative family medicine residency programs. Dr. Rosener is deeply committed to improving health and access to healthcare for all members of the community.
Centering Parenting starts with an initial session at 2-6 weeks of age, then proceeds with ‘regular’ well child visit timing:
Please plan on each session lasting up to two hours.
Yes! MAHEC is in network with most insurance plans, but please call your insurance company to verify in network status. If we are in network with your plan, then these group visits and well child visits will be covered.
Yes, your child must be a patient of MAHEC Family Health Center in order to participate in a Centering Parenting group.
Not necessarily! While groups typically start at around 2-6 weeks of age, if there is space in a group with older children that you would like to join, it may be possible to start there. Please speak to your provider about this option!
Please note that MAHEC does not provide childcare. In order to get the most benefit from the group, it may be helpful to come with only the child(ren) enrolled in the group. That said, it will be up to each group to determine their own rules of attendance.
The YWCA on South French Broad Avenue offers Empowerment Childcare, which is available specifically to allow you or your family to attend medical appointments.
Centering Parenting groups are so effective in large part due to the bonds and relations developed between the group members over time. Thus, it is advised that the same participants come to each group. Note that up to two family members (guardians) can come with each child.
Absolutely! Up to two family members (guardians) can come with each child.
Only information that you feel comfortable sharing will be shared with the others in the group. Private information or concerns will be kept confidential.
Confidentiality is very important to us at MAHEC. Every participant will agree to keep shared information private and sign an agreement to do so.
Some children with more complex medical concerns or diagnoses may still participate in a Centering Parenting group. These children may need some additional appointments related to their conditions.
Yes! Vaccines will be offered as recommended for each child.
MAHEC Family Health Center offers same day appointments across its four locations in Buncombe County. If your child is sick, they can be seen wherever is most convenient for you at any time!
It is okay to miss a session or two, life happens! You can make these up either through a one-on-one visit with a provider at MAHEC Family Health Center or simply come to the next group session. It is not advised to miss more than a few sessions as that can affect the overall group dynamic.
You can make the decision at any time to switch to individual appointments with a provider.
