If you walk through the halls of NMC Health, you might notice something special. It isn’t just the modern medical tech or the clean, bright rooms. It is a feeling of genuine warmth. For three local women, Tammy, Mandy, and Baleigh, that feeling is more than just “work culture.” It is family.
Literally.
These three represent three generations of one family, and they all spend their weeks serving the community under the same roof.
In a time when families often live miles apart, this trio has found a way to stay closer than ever. They work together, volunteer together, and, as anyone who works near them will tell you, they laugh together. A lot. We sat down with them to hear about their journey, their traditions, and what it’s like to have your mom (or grandma) as a coworker.
Meet the crew
To understand how this happened, you first have to meet the players. While they all share the same spark, they each bring something different to the hospital:
Mandy: The one who started it all. She joined in May 2023 and serves as a Human Resources Specialist. She is the “organizer” of the group.
Baleigh: Mandy’s daughter. She started in June 2024 as a Food and Nutrition Services (FANS) Ambassador. She is the “authentic soul” who isn’t afraid to be herself.
Tammy: Mandy’s mother and Baleigh’s grandma. She is the volunteer. She’s been here for a year and a half, mostly helping out in the HR department.
"We stole her"
The story of how Tammy became a volunteer is a favorite. It wasn’t a formal recruitment process. It was more of a “Sunday breakfast” kind of deal.
Mandy noticed the hospital needed some extra hands in HR to audit personnel files. She knew her mom had the perfect skills for it. So, she “voluntold” her.
“We stole her [from other departments],” Mandy says with a grin. “Pretty sure it came up at Sunday breakfast: Is it something you can help with? Now she’s our permanent volunteer. We keep her busy.”
Tammy didn’t mind one bit. In fact, she loves it. She only had one major condition when she started: “As long as I don’t have to touch a computer, I’m good!”
Tammy spends her time making sure everything is in order for the hospital’s governing entities. She says the environment is what keeps her coming back. “Everyone smiles and says good morning. They are so happy to see you. I’m just honored that Mandy would want me to do this with her.”
A history of helping
Why do three generations of the same family want to work in the same place? It comes down to a shared desire to serve.
Mandy explains that before she even applied, her sister worked at NMC Health. She saw the culture, the leadership, and the way the hospital gave back to Newton. That was the “big appeal.”
“Life brought us all here,” Mandy says.
“Divine intervention,” Tammy adds.
Baleigh feels the same way. She has always been the person to step up when someone needs a hand. “I honestly just like to help people. I’m always the one offering to help out,” she says.
The childhood cues
It turns out that Mandy could see Baleigh’s career path coming from a mile away. Even as a little girl, Baleigh showed signs of the organized professional she is today.
Mandy remembers a specific scene from when the kids were little. Her sons would be scrambling to get ready for football. They would be hunting for helmets and gear in a total panic. Meanwhile, Baleigh, the youngest and only girl, was the calm at the center of the storm.
“In pictures, Baleigh would be in the background on the couch with all these flashcards organized,” Mandy recalls. “She, like her mother, has a love for filing and color-coding.”
To this day, Baleigh is the one who keeps all the men of the family in line. When Mother’s Day approaches, she sends out the “battle plan.” She tells them how much money they owe and what the schedule is. They listen, too!
The "loud" exception to the rule
Hospitals are usually quiet places. People speak in hushed tones. But when these three get together, the rules change.
“We love to talk,” Mandy admits.
Tammy begins to say, “I was just going to say…”
“We finish each other’s…” smiles Mandy.
“Sentences,” says Tammy, who also adds, “We’re loud.”
They’ve had their Apple Watches go off because the noise level gets too high when they start laughing. People will often ask, Are you guys like this all the time? The answer is a resounding yes.
They credit this bond to the way Tammy raised her kids. She was a stay-at-home mom, and that nurturing, caring environment created a deep foundation of love. Now, that same care trickles down into how they treat patients and coworkers.
Mom vs. HR
Working with your daughter can be a balancing act. Mandy admits she has to be careful about which “hat” she is wearing.
“Sometimes the HR person in me wants to give advice,” Mandy says. “But I have to remember to be the Mom first.”
Baleigh is very good at keeping those lines clear. There are days when they get home and Baleigh has to say, “You’re not Mandy in HR right now. You’re my mom.”
Mandy uses her experience to help Baleigh handle the stress of the workforce. She tells her that a “crisis” at work is usually just a blip in the grand scheme of life. She wants to help Baleigh not be a “worrier” like she was at that age.
On the other hand, Mandy says she learns a lot from her daughter. “Baleigh is always authentically herself. I’ve always admired that in her. I’m still mastering that.”
How to survive a hard day: The SOS system
Even in a great job, hard days happen. When one of the three is feeling down, they don’t have to look far for support. They have a few go-to methods for cheering each other up:
The SOS Text: They have a family text chain. When things get tough, someone sends out the signal.
Specific Treats: They know exactly what the others like. Baleigh knows to give her mom a Coke with extra ice. For others, it might be flowers or a favorite dessert.
The “Cream Horn” Tribute: They lost their grandmother in 2018. On hard days, they often buy cream horns from the bakery because that was her favorite. It’s a way to keep her memory alive while supporting each other.
Music and Food: Whether it’s a shared meal or a favorite song, they rally around each other until the mood lifts.
A picnic tradition
With Mother’s Day around the corner, the family is getting ready for their favorite tradition: the picnic.
Growing up, Mother’s Day was always a big outdoor event with aunts, moms, and grandmas. They’ve kept that tradition alive. It usually involves a “picnic theme” with fried chicken, potato salad, and all the fixings.
“It’s laid back and easy cleanup,” Mandy says.
“Just being together is enough,” says Baleigh.
Final thoughts
At NMC Health, we are proud to have Tammy, Mandy, and Baleigh as part of our team. They remind us that healthcare isn’t just about medicine; it’s about the people who provide it.
When you see them in the halls, you’re seeing more than just an HR Specialist, a FANS Ambassador, and a Volunteer. You’re seeing a legacy of kindness that spans three generations.
And if you hear some loud laughter coming from the HR office? Just know that the family is doing exactly what they do best: taking care of each other.
