Spotlight on the Staff: Kely Joaquin
For Kely Joaquin, Welcome Baby is more than a program — it’s been a meaningful part of her personal and professional journey for nearly 13 years. As a member of the team that launched Welcome Baby at MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach in September 2013, Kely has had the unique opportunity to watch the program grow from a small team serving a handful of families into a program that has supported thousands of families in the Long Beach area.
Today, as a Parent Coach Supervisor, Kely continues to be passionate about building relationships with families, empowering parents, and helping them navigate the joys and challenges of early parenthood.
Previously, Kely worked in home visiting programs in Orange County, supporting families through maternal health education, family support, and child abuse prevention. These experiences showed her how meaningful it is to walk alongside families during such an important time in their lives.
Kely says that becoming a parent herself deepened that connection: “I remember how challenging that transition could be, learning how to care for a newborn while also navigating my own emotions and adjusting to a completely new role. That experience helped me understand how important it is for parents to have someone who listens, provides support, and reminds them that they don’t have to figure everything out alone.“
She says she was drawn to Welcome Baby’s focus on building relationships with families, meeting them where they are at, and providing support during such an important time in their lives.
As the MemorialCare Miller Welcome Baby program has grown and evolved over the years, so has Kely. While staying connected to the families in Welcome Baby, she has also had the opportunity to support and supervise Parent Coaches, helping strengthen the team and improve its services for families.
For her, the most rewarding part of the work is giving parents knowledge, resources, and tools that they can carry with them long after a visit ends. Whether it’s helping a parent make an informed decision, connecting a family with a community service, or offering reassurance during an uncertain moment, these small but meaningful interactions can make a lasting difference.
One resource Kely especially loves sharing with families is the Welcome Baby book. “I love the way it’s written and the amazing information it contains. The QR codes and resource pages make it such a valuable tool for families.” Kely appreciates that it’s something parents can return to as their baby grows and new questions arise.
(Do you have a resource that you like to share with families? Mention it in a short video, and you’ll be entered in a raffle to win a gift card.)
Kely also recognizes that supporting families is a team effort: “Everyone brings something unique to Welcome Baby, and I appreciate how our different roles and strengths come together to support the families we serve,” she says.
After 13 years with Welcome Baby, Kely is proud to have been one of the program pioneers at her hospital. “When I think about what Welcome Baby means to me, I think about the relationships we’ve built, the families we’ve supported, and the difference we’ve been able to make,” Kely reflects.
Watch the video below to hear how Kely supported a mother’s NICU journey, and scroll down for heartfelt words from her program’s manager.
“Kely has been a valued member of the Welcome Baby team at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital for the past 13 years, serving as a Parent Coach Lead. She is a thoughtful friend, a creative planner, and the person who brings our team together through her warmth and attention to detail. Whether she’s coordinating team celebrations or supporting families, Kely leads with compassion and dedication. To our clients and community, she is a fierce advocate who truly listens, provides unwavering support, and helps families feel heard, respected, and empowered.”
— Lynnette Bello, Program Manager, MemorialCare Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital
Find a Home Visiting Program in L.A. County
- Do you know someone in L.A. County who is pregnant or who recently had a baby? They can find a free in-home support program at eDirectory.HomeVisitingLA.org.
- See a list of hospitals that offer the Welcome Baby program.
See other Spotlight on the Staff posts »