When Joyce and her husband, Osei, welcomed their son, Obi, into the world, they weren’t just celebrating a new life — they were part of a new chapter in Southeast D.C. Obi was the first baby delivered at the brand-new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center in Ward 8, just steps from their home. Guided by the care and support of Community of Hope, their story reflects not just personal joy but a new era of healthcare access for Southeast Washington, D.C.
Joyce and Osei are proud Ward 8 residents. Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Joyce celebrated her very first birth experience.
Throughout Joyce’s pregnancy, Community of Hope midwives provided attentive, holistic care. Working with many of our midwives along the way, Joyce and Osei shared that the entire team offered phenomenal support.
“Their support was amazing, and we were very blessed to have access to the full team — not just the midwives but the entire program,” says Joyce. “Helping us with a crib, giving us access to everything we needed for the baby, and just being a support system.”
After Obi’s birth, the family connected with Dr. Al Bellard, Chief Medical Officer and Pediatrician, for Obi’s first checkup.
“He was very energetic, very positive — everything you would want in a pediatrician.”
Joyce and Osei plan to continue Obi’s care at Community of Hope, praising not only the convenience but the quality of care.
For families like Joyce and Osei’s, Cedar Hill represents more than just a new hospital — it’s a sign of progress.
After years of Southeast D.C. residents needing to travel across town for births and many other medical situations, Cedar Hill opened just in time for Obi’s birth. Osei shared that they initially planned to deliver elsewhere, but when Cedar Hill opened — literally the day Joyce began feeling contractions — the decision became clear.
“Why go all the way across town when we have a brand-new hospital right here? And it’s beautiful.” Osei laughed.
Living within walking distance, they expressed gratitude for having clean, modern, community-centered healthcare close to home. They also feel proud knowing Obi will always hold a special place in Ward 8’s history as the first baby born at Cedar Hill — a symbol of growth and resilience in their community.
Osei emphasized the new sense of responsibility that comes with bringing another life into the world, while Joyce expressed pride and gratitude for the experience.
“I wish every pregnant woman could have had the same experience I did,” Joyce said.
When asked what they would share with other families considering Community of Hope or Cedar Hill, Osei offered heartfelt encouragement:
“I would definitely recommend Community of Hope, especially for families going through pregnancy. You can tell midwifery care is taken very seriously — and that’s important. And Cedar Hill? I recommend it too. I just hope the standards stay as great as they are now because it was clean, classy, and a blessing for us.”
Their story is a powerful reminder of why healthcare access in your neighborhood matters — and how Community of Hope will always walk with families before birth, into the baby years, and beyond.
