Atrium Health in Charlotte, North Carolina, has announced a $10 million gift from Anna Spangler Nelson and Thomas C. Nelson.

Made through the C.D. Spangler Foundation, the gift is focused on addressing women’s and maternal health needs and includes funding for training and recruitment of healthcare professionals. According to Atrium Health, North Carolina reports some of the poorest health outcomes for women and has the 11th highest infant mortality rate in the country.

The funding will enhance the health network’s maternal care and healthy beginnings initiative by expanding both the CenteringPregnancy program, which engages mothers in group prenatal care, and the CenteringParenting program, which emphasizes family-centered well-child care. In addition, the gift will expand the Drive to Thrive mobile medical outreach program to serve those who have limited access to reproductive, maternal, and prenatal care.

Thomas Nelson is board chair of both Atrium Health and the Advocate Health, of which Atrium Health is a part.

“This transformative gift from the C.D. Spangler Foundation will allow Atrium Health to support even more women—and their families—at every stage of the parenthood journey and help bring their children into the world with the resources and opportunities to thrive,” said Advocate Health CEO Eugene A. Woods. “We are deeply grateful for Anna and Tom Nelson’s inspiring commitment to train and support women’s healthcare providers, while helping to expand access to care for women and families across North Carolina.”

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