Mariana "Mari" Foster, MSN, CNM

I chose to become a midwife because of the incredible positive impact that midwives make on public health across the globe. I wanted to help create spaces where families could welcome new members surrounded by love and in their own power. I also wanted to foster a clinical environment where people felt that they were in control of their own bodies when it came to healthcare decision-making. I believe that every person deserves to have their voice heard and valued by their healthcare provider. I believe that having the opportunity to accompany people during rites of passage such as birth is an honor-one that I hold sacred. I believe that increased access to midwifery care is an essential piece of achieving birth equity in the United States. My areas of clinical interest include reproductive justice, birth equity and trauma-informed care. Outside of work, I like to read, bike, travel, and spend time with my family and friends.

As a registered nurse, I started my nursing career in the Behavioral Health unit at Vident Medical Center in Greenville, NC. In nursing school I was drawn to women’s health and, after the birth of my first child with a midwife, I knew where I should be. I pursued my passion in Florida as a labor and delivery nurse. There, I honed my skills caring for women at one of their most vulnerable times. In 2016, my family relocated to Holly Springs. I continued work in labor and delivery in Cary, and then at the new Rex Hospital in Holly Springs. Once back in North Carolina and inspired by the amazing midwives I have worked with over the years, I decided to go back to school for my master’s degree. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family, including my four wonderful children. I also enjoy reading, wake-surfing and traveling.

My passion for disease prevention and continuity of care is what initially drew me to practicing family medicine. I am very interested in helping individuals understand what factors are playing a role in their health and quality of life and partnering with patients on their journey towards improving both. Working with multiple generations of family members brings me tremendous joy, and I hope to be able to provide longitudinal care for families for many years to come. My approach to patient care centers first and foremost around listening to my patients. I like to learn about my patients’ day-to-day lives, goals, and how their specific medical conditions are impacting these areas or could in the future. I promote an environment of shared decision-making with my patients while also offering my medical opinion when they are faced with multiple options and are feeling overwhelmed. I aim to provide up to date medical information in an easily accessible manner to patients and will offer strategies to help achieve whatever health goal is most important to the individual. When I am not working, I enjoy running, watching Carolina Hurricanes hockey, playing with my cat, Luna, and spending time with my husband, Kyle.