A Loving Organization Consortium highlights the power of trust, compassion, and collaboration in supporting pregnant and postpartum individuals impacted by substance use disorders.The Suda Institute is proud to share a recently published Executive Summary by A Loving Organization Consortium, titled “Uncorking the Maternal Spirit: Whole-Person, Love-Centered Care for Perinatal Substance Use Disorder.”
The Executive Summary explores the innovative, compassionate approach of The Suda Institute and the SUN Clinic in supporting pregnant and postpartum individuals experiencing substance use disorders (SUD) across Cabarrus, Rowan, and Stanly counties in North Carolina.Through a coordinated model of clinical care, peer recovery support, and community collaboration, the SUN Project works to reduce stigma, strengthen relationships, and create a more supportive system of care for individuals and families navigating substance use disorders.
Three Essential Elements of Love-Centered Care
The Executive Summary identifies three key systems that help define the SUN Project’s approach:
Trust: Building Relationships Through Compassion
Trust serves as the foundation of the SUN Clinic’s care model. By meeting patients with understanding rather than judgment, providers create an environment where individuals feel respected, supported, and empowered to engage in their care.
Beyond clinical relationships, trust extends across healthcare providers, social services, behavioral health organizations, and community partners working together to address complex needs.
Transcend: Extending Compassion Beyond Clinical Walls
Meaningful care cannot end when a patient leaves an appointment. The Suda Institute works to strengthen coordination among healthcare systems, community organizations, and other partners to reduce barriers and ensure compassionate, trauma-informed support extends beyond the clinical setting.
Years of coalition-building have helped establish collaborative relationships that support a more connected system of care across the three-county region.
Nurture: Supporting Patients and the Professionals Who Serve Them
The SUN Clinic’s multidisciplinary approach brings together medical providers, behavioral health professionals, and peer recovery support specialists to address the whole person.
This model recognizes that meaningful relationships, adequate time with patients, and ongoing professional learning are essential to creating an environment where both patients and providers feel supported.
Strengthening Continuity of Care
A particularly important component highlighted in the Executive Summary is the coordinated transition of care between Dr. Russell Suda and Dr. Robert Levy. This formal handoff during the third trimester helps ensure that patients receive continued support through pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period. The Suda Institute plays a critical role in supporting this model by coordinating partnerships, navigating systemic barriers, and bringing organizations together around a shared commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care. Since the SUN Project’s launch in 2019, more than 100 patients experiencing perinatal substance use disorders have received care through this coordinated model. The approach has also expanded through the RISE Clinic to serve individuals beyond the perinatal period.
A Commitment to Learning and Continuous Improvement
We extend our sincere appreciation to A Loving Organization Consortium for taking the time to learn about our work, examine our approach, and share their thoughtful perspectives. Their review provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of relationships, coordinated care, and organizational collaboration in addressing the needs of individuals and families impacted by substance use disorders. As we continue our work, we remain committed to strengthening our partnerships, learning from the experiences of those we serve, and advancing sustainable approaches that improve access to compassionate, coordinated care.
We also recognize the dedication of our clinical providers, community partners, peer support professionals, and individuals with lived experience who help shape and strengthen this work every day.
Read the Executive Summary
We invite our community partners, healthcare professionals, supporters, and advocates to explore the Executive Summary and learn more about how whole-person, love-centered care is helping reshape the approach to perinatal substance use disorders.
Read the Executive Summary – A Loving Organization Consortium
Together, we can continue building systems of care rooted in trust, dignity, compassion, and connection.
