Nurse Practitioner Loses Everything

My name is Lauren Whitman. I’m writing this in hopes of saving my dad and stepmom's home. Those that know her, know that Sheila is the most giving and kindhearted person you could have the pleasure of meeting, not just to me but to everyone she meets. She is the best stepmom I could have ever asked for. She loves to help people so much she chose to make it her career, as well as her sister. They decided to finally give their dream a shot and take their careers a step further.

In 2004, my stepmom Sheila Whitman began her journey. Becoming a Registered Nurse was what she always wanted to do, since she was kid. She spent the next 15 plus years working in the ER, here in High Point NC. The next step was going back to school to get her Masters degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner with the dream of one day opening a truly "Family Owned" Urgent Care. That dream was soon to be a reality. Through hard work and dedication, she worked nights, weekends and studied constantly to get one step closer to that dream. Once she was a Certified Nurse Practitioner, opening an Urgent Care was next. She focused her energy on a new career and after a few years it was time to start planning the eventual opening of the Urgent Care. This was THE dream. One of the first steps was funding. In order to be approved for a loan however, they had to put their home up as collateral. A very scary thing to do. She discussed it with my dad and without hesitation he said, "We have to do it. It's your dream." While working with a company that helps startups, a space was located and over the next few months husbands, sons, daughters, nieces, nephews and friends all rallied together to rehab the new space. It took 2 years, but they were able to finally open. Center Pointe Urgent Care was a reality! Unfortunately, from that day forward, things just never seemed to go in their favor. There are so many things that went wrong, and I don't claim to understand all of them but here's what I know. The company they hired to help her sister and her through the process of finding a location as well as getting credentialed with all the insurance companies, would end up dissolving during the middle of everything and leave it all up to the sisters to "figure out". Not an easy task when you've never owned a business before, much less had to deal with the obstacles of dealing with insurance companies. With doors open and not fully credentialed, what few patients were coming in, most were turned away because they weren't yet set up with the major insurance carriers. One insurance carrier took over a year to get credentialed with. Struggling month after month with only a few patients a day and funding running out quickly, they were able to finally get credentialed with all major insurance carriers...unfortunately the money just ran out. They had to close the doors in December of 2023. The dream was over, and things were about to get so much worse. During this same timeframe her elderly father fell and broke his hip. Within four days of her father being admitted to the hospital her mother was transported to the ER and eventually airlifted to Babtist Hospital in Winston Salem NC where she underwent an emergency triple bypass. So not only is Sheila dealing with the heartbreak of her failed dream, but she's also dealing with both parents in rapidly declining health. On November 9th my dad receives news that his mother's sister was admitted to the hospital in Greensboro NC. It would be determined one day later that she has inoperable cancer. Could this possibly get worse? Yes. On Thanksgiving Day my dad's mother is also sent to the hospital with stroke like symptoms. It's just too much to handle. I've witnessed Sheila breaking down on a few occasions, but I think she tries to stay positive in front of me. The weight of the world is on her and unfortunately there's one more hurdle she may not be able clear. My dad and Sheila bought a home 4 years ago in a historic part of High Point. My dad has put so much work into the house over those 4 short years. Now in their mid 50s, this was to be their "Forever Home". For my dad and Sheila that dream may also be crushed. By defaulting on the small business loan, the lender is now preparing to foreclose on their home. With what little money they have, they're currently looking for an attorney to see what can be done. They've spoken to a few who've simply said, "it doesn't look good". Without making this letter any longer than it is, I am writing this in hopes of saving my dad and stepmom's "Forever Home". They are the most giving people you would ever meet. I am blessed to have my parents, but I feel especially blessed to have a stepmother that loves me like I were her own. Watching her navigate through everything that has happened in the last few months, while extraordinary is also heartbreaking. She keeps her chin up and strong in her faith and keeps giving her all every single day.

100% of all donations will be paid to the lender who is taking steps to foreclose. I realize this is a tall order, but any amount will help. If you feel the need to just share their story, that also is very much appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read their story.