The 27th annual You’re the Tops luncheon is going virtual this year in order to raise funds for The Prenatal Clinic. On Saturday, April 24 at 11 a.m., twelve women will be recognized and honored for their dedication to service and philanthropy. This year’s Gardner Osborn “Friend of the Clinic” award, recognizing one doctor’s contributions to the clinic, will be given to Amanda Bray, MD.
The fundraiser includes a raffle for a diamond necklace donated by David Gardner’s Jewelers & Gemologists, valued at $2,340.00.
“We rely on donations, and we hope everyone will donate in honor of these women and the mission and the work of the clinic,” says Lynn Yeager, executive director of The Prenatal Clinic.
The clinic staff believes it’s important to honor these women because volunteerism is the lifeline for non-profits, she says. “These are women who rarely seek out that pat on the back or that recognition,” she says. “They go about what they do because their heart tells them to do it.”
The Prenatal Clinic has left its mark on the Brazos County since opening its doors in 1985. When the clinic was founded, pregnancy outcomes for low-income women in the county could be compared to underdeveloped nations, according to the clinic’s website, and the clinic helped turn that trend around. It has served over 20,750 women since opening and over 750 annually. What’s more, it has helped to reduce the number of women in Brazos County that give birth with no prenatal care by a huge 76% and have contributed to a reduction in fetal deaths in the county by 26% since 1992.
The clinic does more than just offer prenatal services. It also offers postpartum care. Health education is provided as well, including information about nutrition, physical and emotional reactions to pregnancy, newborn care, parenting skills, and prenatal and postpartum exercise. The clinic provides social services and individual counseling too, and staff can make referrals for programs including WIC, dental care, family planning, and medical care for problems that aren’t related to pregnancy.
“We are here to try and help patients through some situations and provide access to some services that might make their life a little bit better, because at the end of this, there is a vulnerable baby whose life depends on it,” Yeager says. “We all recognize that at some point in our life we all are vulnerable, and we just want to make sure that that baby has every chance possible.” For more information, visit bcsprenatal.org.
2021 You’re the Tops Luncheon Honorees
Provided by The Prenatal Clinic
Alison Baines Batenhorst
Alison Baines Batenhorst has a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science from Texas A&M University and earned her nursing degree at West Texas A&M University. After 22 years as a nurse, she earned her master’s of nursing in infection and disease control. She works as manager of infection prevention and control at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center College Station. She has served as secretary of the Heart of Texas local chapter of Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.
Rose Cates
Rose Cates spent 35 combined years in the medical field before retiring in 2011. She is a prominent congregation member of First United Methodist of Bryan, where she volunteered for over 40 years, teaching Sunday school and sixth grade confirmation class. Rose is also president of United Methodist Women, and her work to support children and families includes donating clothing, school supplies, meals, and Christmas gifts to the North Bryan Community Center.
Olivia Body Davenport
For 23 years, Olivia Body Davenport held various positions within Brazos County Juvenile Services. During that time, she spent 13 years as the deputy director of the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program, where she worked with at-risk youth. She is in her second term as president of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, where she volunteers for the Salvation Army, food drives, and educational engagement programs for children.
Tanya Gillespie
Tanya Gillespie earned her Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of North Texas and has worked in that field for over 25 years. After her son, Taylor, passed away, she moved to Bryan with her husband and founded Taylor’s Place, a nonprofit ministry. Their goal is to help students transition from high school, to college, and into adulthood. They also provide free accommodations to families of students who might not be able to afford visits to their children.
Tanisha Lynn Hanks
Tanisha Lynn Hanks is an educational diagnostician for Bryan Independent School District and has held many more roles, including teacher at Aldine School District for 7 years. She has been involved with the Texas Education Agency, Bethune’s Women Club, and the Rho Phi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. She has held many positions within the sorority, including custodian, treasurer, program chair, secretary, and chapter president.
Gerry Hince
Retired Army Colonel Gerry Hince has dedicated herself to service and completed her career as commandant of the Inspector General School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. During her career she served in many positions, including scouting to soccer moms and president of the Military Council of Catholic Women. Her accomplishments include serving as a docent for the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library, two terms as president of the Auxiliary of Volunteers, and initiating and chairing the Coalition of Brazos Valley Veterans Organization.
Kara Holmgreen
Kara Holmgreen has served her community in various roles, including mentoring in the HOSTS reading program, serving as president of Junior League, serving as PTO president at multiple schools, and chairing Teacher Appreciation Week at A&M Consolidated High School. She is a founding board member of the National Charity League’s Aggieland chapter, where she has served as vice president of Philanthropy and will become president in May.
Joyce Jones
Joyce Jones served in education for 35 years as an elementary and high school teacher. She also worked with the Options program supporting and mentoring teen mothers through her roles as child development center director, home instructor, parent educator, and case manager. She also started the Leadership Academy for teen parents, created Brazos Students Against Domestic Violence, and is involved with Project Unity’s H.O.P.E.S. program.
Mary Jo Lindsay
Mary Jo Lindsay’s Bryan roots run deep. She was born and raised in the city but left to build a career in Dallas. She returned to Bryan in 1999 to care for her mother and has since become a fixture in the city. She has worked for charities that include the Children’s Museum and the Angels on the Runway Benefit Style Show and Dinner. She is also a member and former president of the Women’s Club of Bryan College Station.
Elaina Luksovsky
Elaina Luksovsky’s advocacy for prenatal education and her support for breastfeeding education has been influenced by being a patient at the Prenatal Clinic and a participant in the WIC and Head Start programs. She has worked with La Leche League Bryan/College Station, serves as Robertson County Girl Scout Service Unit Director, and is a former president of the College Station Head Start Policy Council.
Alison Prince
Alison Prince has worked her way up the ladder at United Way of Brazos Valley. She began her career there as director of Information and Services, serving in that role for four years before being promoted to vice president of Community Impact. After a financial crisis at United Way, she took on the role of interim executive director in 2014 and was promoted to president and CEO in June of that year. In spring 2020, she led United Way of Brazos Valley in raising over $1.2 million for COVID-19 relief.
Martha Sanders
Martha Sanders’s parents taught her the importance of community service as a child, and she carried those lessons into adulthood. She began a nursing career caring for critically ill patients and served as a patient educator. For the past two decades, she has worked as a nurse in College Station and taught classes in the CSISD Parent Education Program. She served as president of the Brazos-Robertson Counties Medical Alliance and also served on the nursing scholarship committee.
2021 Gardner Osborn “Friend of the Clinic” Award Recipient
Provided by The Prenatal Clinic
Amanda Bray, MD
Dr. Amanda Bray is board certified in Family Medicine and is a clinical assistant professor. She sees patients at both the Brazos and Navasota clinics. Dr. Bray provides care for chronic medical conditions, pregnancy care, postpartum care, women’s health, pediatrics, and hospital medicine.
