Jorie didn’t set out to open a medical office. She set out to build a sanctuary.

At Gardenia Baby Blossom, Jorie’s ultrasound studio nestled inside Carr Mill Mall in Carrboro, expectant families are stepping into a retreat — warm, intentional, and steeped in the spirit of aloha.

A Rocky Start, A Transformative Moment

Jorie’s journey into ultrasound wasn’t a straight path. During her freshman year at San Francisco State University, she was more focused on getting by than moving forward.

Everything changed when she went with a college roommate to a prenatal appointment. Watching an ultrasound for the very first time, something clicked instantly. She asked the technologist how she’d gotten into the field and learned about Foothill College’s Radiology and Ultrasound programs. At that moment, she knew exactly what she wanted to do.

She transferred schools, completed her Radiology program, and went on to Ultrasound training. Once she found her passion, her entire mindset shifted. She became focused, driven, and graduated at the top of her class. Since 2002, she’s loved every moment of being a Sonographer.

Two Decades at the Bedside

Throughout her career, Jorie worked in hospitals and clinics performing general ultrasound, but obstetrics always held her heart. She spent eight years specializing in high-risk maternal fetal medicine — supporting families through some of their most emotional and challenging journeys. Being the clinical eyes for physicians while caring for patients on a deeply human level gave her work a meaning she never took for granted.

As a mother herself — to her son Marlow, now 16 — she understood that terrain from both sides of the exam table. The early anxiety. The longing for connection. The desire to include the people you love in every milestone.

After 20 years in the field, she began dreaming about building something of her own. A space that felt warm, personal, and welcoming to families. But for years, that dream stayed on the back burner.

From the Dance Floor to the Ultrasound Room

Jorie grew up immersed in Hawaiian and Tahitian culture. She competed in both dance forms for years, falling in love with the music, the movement, and the deep sense of community the islands represent. That love never left her.

“I’m combining my passions,” she says. “The aloha family, the ohana feel — bring your whole family in to enjoy the island zen and that spa feeling.”

When it came time to build her own business, blending those two worlds felt less like a concept and more like a calling.

Love, a New Chapter, and a Move to North Carolina

In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Jorie’s life took a sudden and unexpected turn. She met her husband, Lucas, on a dating app — just days before she was about to stop dating altogether. Despite the challenges of that time, they connected instantly. Their first date — during a power outage along the coast in Monterey, California — was far from typical, but it was unforgettable. Three months later, they were married.

Nearly six years later, they’ve built not only a strong marriage but a shared vision. Together, they decided to leave California and start fresh in North Carolina. After visiting, they fell in love with the area and made the move in 2024. Jorie continued working as a traveling Sonographer, gaining experience at both UNC and Duke Health, all while the dream of owning her own studio never faded.

Finding Home at Carr Mill Mall

With Lucas’ support, Jorie finally took the leap. She spent six months researching, planning, and building a business that would offer families something different — an experience that goes beyond clinical imaging, creating meaningful, memorable moments throughout pregnancy.

After a few challenges finding the right location, they discovered the perfect space at Carr Mill Mall. The original brick walls and hardwood floors made it feel like home the moment they walked in. They knew this space would be warm and welcoming for every family who crossed the threshold.

On December 1st, 2025, Gardenia Baby Blossom officially opened its doors.

A Retreat, Not a Routine Appointment

Walk in and the difference is immediate. There’s no sterile waiting room, no fluorescent chill. Jorie designed the space to feel like somewhere you’d want to be — warm, luxurious, and unhurried.

Services range from early viability scans at just six weeks (starting at $75, no insurance required) to 3D/4D ultrasounds that capture the first contours of tiny faces. Families can livestream sessions for grandparents across the country, bring siblings, partners, and parents — everyone who matters.

Within the first month, Jorie was already building partnerships with local doulas and wellness professionals, creating a wider network of support for families navigating pregnancy in the Triangle. Five-star reviews followed quickly — not just for the technology, but for how people feel when they leave.

Ohana Means Family

“That wellness piece” is what Jorie keeps coming back to. It’s the throughline beneath every service, every detail, every heartbeat recording and photo keepsake she offers. Her husband Lucas is her business partner, and together they’ve built something that reflects both sharp business thinking and genuine heart.

Today, she’s proud to combine over two decades of medical experience with a heartfelt, family-centered approach — creating a place right here at Carr Mill Mall where families can slow down, connect, and treasure the journey to parenthood.

“I wanted that aloha family feel,” she reflects. And by every measure, she’s delivered it.

Gardenia Baby Blossom is located at Carr Mill Mall in Carrboro, NC, serving Chapel Hill, Durham, and the surrounding Triangle communities. Services include early viability scans, gender reveals, 3D/4D ultrasounds, heartbeat recordings, and livestream capabilities for distant family. Gift certificates available.