By: Jessica Hatch, MSN, FNP-C

I was born and raised in Eastern North Carolina. Snow Hill and Kinston will always be home. My family, friends, and work family are what make living here so special.

Since graduating in 2017, I have been committed to giving back to the community that shaped me. Working at UNC Lenoir and now with WEPPA has been a true privilege. In a small hospital, we operate like one big family. Beyond caring for a community I love, my coworkers have become like family. I can walk down any hallway or into any unit and be greeted by a familiar face. Everyone who comes to work with us remarks on the kindness of our team, and I could not agree more. That sense of connection is irreplaceable, and I will always choose to work in Kinston for as long as they will have me.

While my roots remain firmly in Kinston, our family has enjoyed discovering all the surprising and fun things the greater Greenville area has to offer. We love shopping locally, cheering on the ECU Pirates, kayaking, and bike riding. Our children stay active at The Oakwood School through volleyball, tennis, cross country, and softball, and both participate in the school band. We are also involved at Open Door Church, and I play in the adult tennis league at Baywood Racquet Club. With the beach and Raleigh just an hour away, Greenville has become a wonderful place for our family to grow, stay active, and thrive.

Although we enjoy traveling and seeing the world, our home and our roots will always be here, and I am deeply grateful for that.