From Bump, Baby, and Beyond
By: Boone County
by Dr. Carissa Mangus, Family Medicine Physician at Boone County Health Center
When it comes to pregnancy and childbirth, having a provider you know and trust can make all the difference. At Boone County Health Center, one of the most meaningful things we offer is continuity of care—the same physician who walks with you through your pregnancy is also there to deliver your baby, and continues caring for both mom and baby after delivery. We don’t just care for patients—we build relationships.
This personal approach is something I value deeply as a family medicine physician, and it’s something that truly sets BCHC apart. You’re not just another patient—you’re part of our family. Whether it’s your first baby or your fourth, we strive to ensure every experience is safe, supported, and memorable for all the right reasons.
But we don’t stop at being personal—we also stay sharp. Our OB team is committed to staying at the forefront of best practices in maternity care. Several of our providers and nurses are certified instructors in the ALSO (Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics) program, which is a national certification course for improving outcomes in obstetric emergencies.
In fact, Dr. Joel Travis, Dr. Tami Dodds, and obstetrics nurses Maria Kinney, RN and Angie Schalk, RN, are among the professionals who regularly teach ALSO to doctors and nurses at hospitals across Nebraska—large and small. Their expertise helps raise the standard of care not just here at BCHC, but across the state.
We’ve also added something new to help keep our skills razor-sharp: a high-tech obstetric training mannequin named Mama Anne. Thanks to a grant, Mama Anne helps us simulate rare, high-stress delivery scenarios that providers may only encounter once or twice in a career—but need to be ready for in a moment’s notice. She’s so sophisticated she can mimic everything from normal labor to complex complications, giving our team hands-on practice in a safe and controlled environment.
What does all this mean for you? It means that when you choose Boone County Health Center for your pregnancy care, you’re in incredibly capable hands—both personally and professionally. You’ll see familiar faces at your prenatal visits. You’ll be cared for by a team who not only knows you, but knows how to handle every stage of the journey with skill and compassion.
From bump, to baby, and beyond, we’re honored to walk alongside you every step of the way.
If you’re expecting or thinking about starting a family, we’d love to answer your questions and show you around. Because at Boone County Health Center, your growing family becomes part of ours.