Provider Spotlight
“As a kid, I always said I wanted to deliver babies, and said that meant I wanted to be an OB/GYN,” shared Ariana. Stokes, BS, BSN, RN.
Ariana is a Florida native who spent two years studying Women and Gender Studies while majoring in the pre-med track at Duke University. In her sophomore year she met a Nurse Midwife on a career panel and it changed the trajectory of her career. This is when Ariana connected with the nursing and midwifery model of care. “Nurse midwifery, in its modern sense, was not something I was familiar with. To be honest, nursing was not a field I knew much about either” Ariana recalls.
After this introduction, Ariana transferred to the University of Florida and received her degree in Organizational Leadership and Communications before completing their accelerated Second-Degree Bachelor of Nursing program. After receiving her nursing degree, Ariana plans to immediately begin a graduate program with a concentration in midwifery. However, after graduation she received her first nursing position in a very busy and recognized high-risk labor and delivery unit.
Ariana recalls, “I felt it was what I had to do in terms of the roles I play as an L&D nurse. Nursing school was an incredible experience filled with many new paths and stories to consider- regard. My first job in L&D was an incredible experience navigating policies and politics within a hospital setting.”
Outside of working as a labor and delivery nurse, Ariana has extensive experience as a travel nurse, working with LVN and RN students, and pre-op/PACU/OR settings.
Even with these other experiences Ariana always seems to find her way back to women’s health. “I loved how labor and delivery was a mix of ER, OR, maternal/child, and community health. I also love discussing the experiences women and families face in their various life transitions and have a passion for education and advocacy. I believe that sharing stories is one of the biggest ways to encourage both.”
When working with patients, Ariana provides a safe space for them to feel supported by listening to their stories, affirming their strengths, validating their concerns, and reinforcing the reasoning behind decisions. . Ariana shares, “the few hours I spend with a patient are once-in-a-lifetime moments and can have lifelong effects.”
Trust and communication are areas that Ariana notices are challenging for her BIPOC patients. He sees the skepticism of trust in different ways from the family of a young patient who doesn’t trust the medical staff, a patient who doesn’t trust themselves, or a medical team who doesn’t trust the patient. Therefore, Ariana shared, “there’s something about reading a room and knowing how to approach each person from their perspective to help lead to a positive or pleasant outcome.”
In addition to providing emotional support and building trust, there are times when Ariana acts as a translator between patients and providers. He is usually the one explaining to a patient’s grandmother and doctor that they have 
same goal. In addition to being a liaison between patients, families, and medical providers Ariana has also worked with many Spanish speaking patients. “My Spanish is not perfect, however, I try to communicate in their language so that they don’t have something to focus on and feel comfortable walking into the room. It’s extra work on my end, but that’s fine.
As a nurse who spends her time caring for people, it’s important for Ariana to take care of herself. As an extrovert, he recharges by spending time with others. She enjoys family time, playing sports (the more competitive the better), watching gymnastics and track & field, traveling, and researching topics that piqued his interest. Also a mother of two kids in a row, there are times when Ariana’s self-care feels like stretching her grace and guilt-free naps or enjoying a good meal. Ariana Stokes is one of us awesome providers and if you want to contact him further please contact him:
Email: Nsmithariana@gmail.com
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariana-stokes-bs-bsn-rn-336b3083
Instagram: @ItsMe_NurseAri (IG)
IG, YT and Podcast platforms: @StokedToBeTheStokes
Volunteer Spotlight
“After supporting my sister during her pregnancy, I realized there was so much I didn’t know about perinatal mental health – but I work with babies all the time. That’s what motivated me to make changes personally and professionally – and I was born to create myself
care and postpartum care packages, Emira’s Mamas.”
Meet Diamond, a support coordinator who started volunteering at PSI in September 2021 because she wants to support more parents locally and be a resource in her community to help parents as much as she regularly supports children. While supporting families, the biggest challenge Diamond sees outside of finding inclusive and fair care, is finding a balance in trying to prepare for postpartum, while also allowing grace and time to be with the parents-to-be. .
Diamond is an Occupational Therapist and trained in perinatal mental health, she says, “my work as an occupational therapist and knowledge of child development can be very useful for parents, and so many of my skills that is often done. A big skill that stands out is the therapeutic use of self. There is so much potential in the connection and encouragement you develop with help-seekers and clients.”
While Diamond supports those who seek help, the constant winners he sees are the people who ask for help. This can be overcome by stigmas, stereotypes, and internal struggles to find resources and support. Diamond shares, “It can take a lot to get there and I don’t take that lightly.” Additionally, as the owner of Emira’s Mamas, I have interacted with families at several stages of parenting; sometimes in celebration and others in sadness as well.
Outside of volunteering at PSI, running Emira’s Mamas, and working as an occupational therapist, Diamond is a daughter, a sister, aunt, and friend. She loves to travel and is a foodie where she enjoys trying different restaurants and themed dinners. Diamond also wants to rewatch some of her favorite shows, The Office, New Girl, and Abbott Elementary.
Diamond, thank you for all you do for those of us who are looking for help. If you want to learn more about Diamond or to connect with him on Instagram @adimeofot , or by visiting his website www.adimeinot.com.
