Hope Clinic strives for each client, when visiting us, to experience their sense of value, to receive quality services with accurate truthful information, and to believe there is hope in their circumstances and in their lives.
Our hope is that God WILL “empower individuals to choose life: life for the unborn baby, abundant life by making healthy lifestyle decisions, and eternal life by accepting a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”
Our services:
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Pregnancy Test
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Decision Making Consultation
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limited ob Ultrasound
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material assistance
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Ongoing support
Provided to our patients for free because of generous donors like you!
MEET THE STAFF
Karen Sims
MAMFC
Executive Director
Karen Sims holds a Master of Marriage and Family Counseling degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. Karen has been involved with helping those in unplanned pregnancies for over 20 years. She has had experience serving as an Executive Director for 11 years here in Hattiesburg as well as in Meridian, MS. She has been married to Allen Sims, Music Minister at FBC, Purvis, for over 25 years. They have two beautiful adult children, Katie and Cody, experiencing their own life journey. Karen’s passion to serve those in unplanned pregnancies grew from her own infant adoption and her personal testimony as she struggled with some of the same decisions as those she serves. Karen felt God calling her into pregnancy center ministries over 20 years ago when she started as a volunteer. She has been honored in her ministry journey to have served in Fort Worth, TX, and Jackson, MS, and helped to start and direct the centers in Meridian and Hattiesburg, MS. Karen considers it a privilege to serve the Lord in this special area of ministry. Her first passion has always been providing counsel to those struggling with an unplanned pregnancy, but she enjoys her role as the Executive Director. Karen is amazed as to the growth and positive response from those in need of Hope Clinic, as well as, those who have come alongside in supporting this much needed ministry. It is Karen’s prayer that we all experience God’s mercy and grace, and ultimately to know our purpose in life is to bring Glory and Honor to His precious name.
Deborah Tucker
Nurse Manager
Deborah was born and raised in Hattiesburg, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from The University of Southern Mississippi. During nursing school, she began volunteering at the Hope Clinic and discovered a passion for serving pregnant women in her community. Upon receiving her nursing degree, she began working in Labor and Delivery at Forrest General Hospital, where she continues to work in a PRN capacity, as she is serving as the Nurse Manager at Hope Clinic. Deborah also has experience in teaching Obstetric clinicals for USM in an adjunct capacity. The Lord has sovereignly used her life experiences in OB nursing care and leadership roles to prepare her to fill the Nurse Manager position at Hope Clinic. She and her husband, Zack, live in Hattiesburg and faithfully attend and serve at Dixie Baptist Church. They enjoy spending time with their sweet Christian community and attending yearly mission trips in the western United States. They love to travel and enjoy playing pickleball, loving on their two dogs, Daisy and Kate, and spending time with their many nieces and nephews.
Ashley Burbank
Executive Assistant
Ashley lives in Seminary with her husband of 16 years, Eric, and their two children, Maggie (15) and Archie (14). Ashley graduated from Jones Junior College in 2004 and studied Psychology and Social Work for two years at the University of Southern Mississippi. She took a semester off to focus on other things and became pregnant unexpectedly. She had no plans to parent at this stage in her life, but God directed her steps even when she was not aware. After the birth of Maggie, she was devoted to being a mother. Sixteen short months later, Archie was born. Ashley has homeschooled her children for the past seven years. Ashley continues to be in complete awe of where God has placed her and how His plan is so strategically designed. “Many young people who are afraid can not look past the situation they are in, in that very moment. I pray we can reach and help these girls before their whole world is wrecked by a decision made in fear.”
Lindsey Friel
Office Assistant
Lindsey Friel is originally from McComb, MS, and graduated from SMCC in 2007. She then moved to Hattiesburg, and while attending school at Southern Miss, became pregnant with her daughter, Lilee Grace. Knowing she needed to provide for her little girl, she entered the workforce in women’s health, where she walked hand in hand with women fighting their toughest battles ever, breast cancer. It was there she found her passion for serving other women. In 2011, the Lord spoke to her very clearly stating she would speak to thousands of pregnant women. She wrote it down and hid it in her heart not to be thought of again. She went through many struggles as a single mother and gained much understanding of the needs unplanned pregnancies present. Her desire is to be exactly what she, herself, needed in her darkest times. It wasn’t until recently when she pulled out an old notebook and saw that promise God gave her, written down in black and white. It looks a little different than she assumed it would be back then, but Lindsey now knows exactly what that vision was about and can see how she is walking it out daily. Being a post-abortive woman herself, she knows firsthand the uncertainty these women face. She has walked through the wilderness and come out on the other side, finally finding the Hope that only Jesus Christ gives. Lindsey attends The Springs Church in Collins, MS where she serves on the Women’s Lead Team. She currently lives in Petal with her husband Chris, and has three children, Daniel, Lilee Grace, and Laney Case.
Olivia Walker
Development Director
Olivia Walker brings over 20 years of experience in financial leadership, administration, and organizational development to her role as Development Director. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from the University of Southern Mississippi. She has served in key leadership roles across corporate, nonprofit, and ministry settings. Rooted in her faith and guided by a deep love for Christ-centered service, Olivia is passionate about using her gifts to advance Kingdom work. Whether managing complex budgets and payroll, leading administrative teams, or coordinating impactful ministry events, she consistently brings structure, clarity, and excellence to every assignment. A native of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Olivia is the proud mother of two adult children, Perry and Laurel, and an active member of Venture Church's Hunt Club Campus. She considers it a privilege to serve with the Hope Clinic team in its mission to offer hope and life to women and families in our community. Known for her integrity, precision, and unwavering commitment to stewardship, Olivia's expertise in budgeting, financial reporting, and donor engagement helps ensure that every gift entrusted to Hope Clinic is used wisely and purposefully. She believes that behind every number is a story—one of life, hope, and God's faithfulness—and she is honored to be part of the work God is doing through this ministry.
Kortney Shands
Social Media Coordinator
Kortney Shands currently lives in Hattiesburg, MS, with her husband, Josh, and their three children, Jayden, Josie, and Adeline. In 2009, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing from The University of Southern Mississippi. Her work experience includes healthcare marketing with various hospitals across the country and event planning, sales, and advertising. Although she was passionate about continuing her career, she decided to pursue her greatest calling as a wife and mother when her second child was born. As a stay-at-home mom, she has experienced all the joys of motherhood and the struggles. She is familiar with long days, sleepless nights, and the moments when even a mother's kiss still wasn't enough. But those memories are often overshadowed by the overwhelming joy and happiness being a mother has brought her. Whether it was the moment she saw their tiny faces for the first time, cheering for them in a big game or an ordinary moment in between, she realized she had been blessed with the most rewarding job in the world. Through the experiences of her own, as well as close friends, she developed a passion for the unborn and a desire for their mothers to see God's plan for their life. As stated in Psalm 37:4, "Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." God has opened doors and led Kortney to Hope Clinic, where she hopes to fulfill her passion by contributing to the overall mission. Her prayer is that many women will not only find love and hope in the walls of Hope Clinic but they will also experience the true love and hope that is found in Jesus Christ.
Dr. Jennifer Bailey, OBGYN
Volunteer Medical Director
While originally from Texas, Hattiesburg is now home for Dr. Jennifer Bailey, husband Eric, and son Luke. They moved here to be in between the two sets of extended families, and it ended up being a perfect fit. Dr. Bailey went to The University of Texas at Austin for undergraduate studies, Texas A&M for medical school, and Scott & White in Temple, TX for OB-GYN residency. After residency, she accepted the position at Hattiesburg Clinic where she has been a full-time OB-GYN physician since 2008. The Baileys attend Venture Church. She joined Hope Clinic as the volunteer Medical Director in 2014.
