Fabulous People: Emily Patel

Emily Patel RN, BSN is the founder and president of Hopeful Mama Foundation, an Iowa nonprofit that is committed to supporting women through their infertility journey by offering financial grants, educational workshops and support groups. Learn about Emily Patel…

Follow at: @emilympatel; @hopefulmamafoundation

Hometown: Dubuque, IA

First job: Hy-Vee Floral Department which created my lifelong love for flowers and the ability to express one’s creativity through natural elements.

Favorite ways to spend your free time in IA: Being with the people of Iowa. After leaving Iowa in 2019 to have days filled with sunshine and the heat of Arizona, we found our way back to Iowa in 2022 for one reason. The people of Iowa. Iowa has one of the greatest cultures I have ever known. An Iowan will stop to help you on the side of the road or carry your extra bags to the car when your hands can’t hold them and your babies. An Iowan will be sure you know how to get where you are going and show you the way if needed. Iowans value family and honesty. Integrity and kindness. The people of Iowa are simply the best. Weather could never compete.

Your biggest accomplishment and why: Creating the Hopeful Mama Foundation has been my greatest accomplishment thus far. The Hopeful Mama Foundation was established to leave a personal legacy for my daughters, by demonstrating the importance of helping women in similar circumstances who may be searching for answers and embodying Hopeful Mama’s core values of advocacy, education and support. My desire is to empower women by offering assistance with financial resources, emotional support, and education on fertility options that can help fulfill their hopeful mama dreams, just as I was able to fulfill my dream. 

The biggest obstacle you overcame: Overcoming a life-altering diagnosis of Premature Ovarian Failure at the age of 25. I was told I would never have children of my own due to unknowingly starting menopause at the age of 16. I lost relationships. I lost family. I lost genetics. However, with the help of God and science, I am married to Samir, who loved me even still, and a mama to two girls through donor egg IVF. 

Someone who inspires you and why: My husband, Samir has inspired me since the day I met him in the cafeteria line at Mercy Medical Center. Samir is gracious and kind. He is selfless and goes to great lengths to ensure not only his patients are well cared for, but that his family always has what they need. Samir is dedicated to furthering his knowledge as a physician and providing the most up to date care, while not sacrificing his bedside manner. He is resilient and even when life has thrown difficult situations his way, he finds the good in it all, stays positive and keeps moving forward. I have looked to him many times for support and encouragement and hope that I can be the same support to many through Hopeful Mama.

Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: I am a nurse by education and a philanthropist by heart. However, both of those things can coexist together and be in your heart at the same time. You can love two career paths and be successful at both, perhaps just during different times. Even if you start your career path in one direction, it doesn’t mean you can’t make a pivot, make some changes and begin again on a new path. One statement of advice I have always shared is that you can be direct but still kind. 

Favorite quote: “Your past doesn’t define you.”

Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: I am not a morning person. I have tried and epically failed. I hit the snooze button 465 times. 

What makes someone fabulous: To me, being fabulous is about staying true to oneself. Being unapologetically authentically you.