As a HealthySteps Specialist at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Shadonae Stanley meets a lot of parents who are overwhelmed. Christina was one of them.
Christina was adjusting to life as a first-time mom while managing stress, her baby’s medical challenges, and a lack of support. Shadonae stepped in to help as part of Christina’s pediatric care team—first by listening, then by providing tools, encouragement and steady follow-through.
Christina was always responsive. If we made a plan, she followed through. That’s how we built trust.
HealthySteps is an evidence-based, team-based pediatric primary care program. A child development and behavioral prevention and promotion expert, the HealthySteps Specialist, joins the pediatric primary care team to ensure universal screening, provide parenting guidance and connect families with community and specialty services, if needed.
Building Confidence and Connection
Shadonae helped Christina apply for Medicaid and WIC, which helped give her the stability she needed to care for Anna’s health. But the impact went deeper. Together, they talked about parenting strategies, infant bonding and the emotional side of new motherhood.
She trusted me, and that made all the difference. Now she’s a more confident mom and knows she’s not doing this alone.
Christina and Anna are doing well, and still in touch with Shadonae. In fact, Christina and her daughter represented New Jersey at Strolling Thunder 2025, and out of all the people who could accompany her to the event in DC, she chose Shadonae.
For Shadonae, this is a powerful reminder of the importance of her work.
Read Christina’s story to see how this partnership changed two lives.
