Wendy Harper/MDN Registered nurses Nadia Smetana, left, and Mandy Crocker stand for a photo inside the Dakota Hope Clinic boutique in Minot. Smetana is retiring after years of leadership with the clinic, while Crocker is stepping into the role of clinic director.

After years of service helping guide Dakota Hope Clinic from its earliest beginnings to a growing regional resource, Clinic Director Nadia Smetana, a registered nurse, is preparing to retire, passing leadership to Mandy Crocker, a registered nurse, who will assume the role of clinic director.

Smetana said her pride in the clinic stretches back to before its doors officially opened.

“I was one of the founding members of the board,” Smetana said. “It was a group of local citizens that prayed, worked and researched for several years before we got the clinic started in 2013, and that was a huge accomplishment. I’m probably most proud of that.”

Since those early days, Smetana said, the clinic has experienced steady growth in both staff and services.

“When we started, we had one full-time and one part-time staff member. That was it,” she said. “Now we have 12 staff members. We’ve expanded our space, and we’ve seen a lot of growth in clients and interest from the community.”

Despite that growth, Smetana said the heart of the clinic has remained the same.

“The care, the compassion and the love we have for our clients has not changed,” she said. “We are here to help women and men facing an unexpected or unplanned pregnancy, and our attitude toward them is nonjudgmental, caring and compassionate.”

One interaction, Smetana said, continues to stand out as a reminder of why the clinic’s work matters.

“A young woman came in very distressed and facing abuse, financial stress and no support,” she said. “She ended up making the decision to carry her child to term, largely because of the support we were able to offer her. By that afternoon, she was in a shelter and safe. Today, she and her child are doing very well.”

Smetana said programs like Earn While You Learn have been key to providing long-term support.

“Parents earn points by completing educational classes, and they can use those points to get baby items like diapers, clothing, even car seats and cribs,” she said. “The classes are invaluable. Even parents who have had multiple children tell us they learn something new.”

Dakota Hope Clinic serves Minot as well as surrounding rural areas, including satellite clinics in Bottineau and Tioga.

“We’re the only pregnancy health clinics serving much of northcentral and northwestern North Dakota,” Smetana said. “The need is definitely there.”

As a nonprofit, Smetana said, funding has always been one of the clinic’s greatest challenges.

“We rely solely on private donations,” she said. “People sometimes assume we’re government-funded, but we’re not. The only way we’ve been able to grow from two employees to 12 and not turn people away is through donations.”

As she prepares for retirement, Smetana said she feels a mix of emotions.

“I’d say mostly anticipation for the next season of my life,” she said. “I also hope to stay involved with Dakota Hope as a volunteer.”

Smetana said she has full confidence in Crocker as the clinic’s next leader.

“I’ve worked with Mandy for more than three years,” she said. “I’ve seen her heart, her leadership and her ability. She’ll do an excellent job.”

Crocker, who has more than 26 years of nursing experience, said stepping into the role is both humbling and exciting.

“I’ve done case management, drug and alcohol rehab, leadership roles, and I’ve worked in both nonprofit and for-profit health care,” Crocker said. “This role brings all of that together.”

Crocker said working alongside Smetana shaped her leadership approach.

“I love how Nadia prays for safety and for everyone who walks through our doors,” Crocker said. “That’s something I want to continue.”

Her immediate priorities, Crocker said, include supporting staff and strengthening clinic systems.

“We have good policies already,” she said. “I want to help hardwire those processes into everyday operations so the clinic continues to function smoothly as we grow.”

Crocker said one of the biggest challenges ahead will be fundraising.

“Fundraising and grant writing are areas I’m still learning,” she said. “In a nonprofit like this, funding directly impacts how many people we can serve.”

As part of that effort, clinic leadership is highlighting a little-known North Dakota income tax credit that benefits pregnancy help centers.

“This credit is still new,” Crocker said. “It first went into effect in 2023, and a lot of people simply don’t know about it.”

The credit allows donors to receive a credit of up to 50% of their North Dakota income tax liability, capped at $2,500, when donating to a qualifying pregnancy help center. Donations must be made before the end of the year to qualify.

“This is not government funding,” Smetana said. “The money doesn’t go to the state and then back to us. It goes directly to the clinic, and the donor receives the tax credit.”

Crocker said the credit gives donors an opportunity to make a local impact.

“One donor told me it was a ‘no-brainer,'” she said. “They liked having the choice to direct their tax dollars to a nonprofit providing direct services in their own community.”

Smetana said the credit helps sustain and expand services.

“When people give, it allows us to meet rising needs,” she said. “Education programs, post-abortion support, domestic abuse support groups, pregnancy loss support — all of that takes resources.”

Crocker added that the clinic’s services often support entire families.

“We serve parents, grandparents, foster parents and families working through court systems,” she said. “Our education helps strengthen families overall.”

Financial transparency, Smetana said, is also important to donors.

“In 2023, 77 percent of donations went directly to programs, and in 2024 that increased to 82 percent,” she said. “People want to know their donations are making a difference.”

As the clinic looks ahead, both leaders emphasized the importance of continued community support.

“The mission isn’t changing,” Smetana said. “The need is still here.”

Crocker agreed.

“When families are supported, communities are stronger,” she said.