Columbia, MO
This chapter was created to bring women in the Columbia area together through shared experience, honest conversation, and real community. Whether you’re in the thick of IVF, processing loss, navigating infertility, or simply looking for women who understand, you belong here.
The Waiting Room – Columbia, MO
Meet your hosts
KALISTA HUFF
Kalista is the Chapter Host for The Waiting Room Columbia, MO. Her infertility journey has included multiple fertility specialists, medications, hormone injections, and surgery. In the summer of 2026, she underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy and was diagnosed with Endometriosis.
Now, she is preparing to move forward with fertility treatments once again, carrying both hope and resilience into this next chapter.
For the first few years of her infertility journey, Kalista chose to keep her experiences private. Today, she has found purpose in sharing her story, using her experiences with infertility and Endometriosis to encourage, support, and walk alongside others facing similar challenges.
As Chapter Host, Kalista is passionate about creating a safe, understanding community where no one has to navigate infertility alone. She is also committed to helping others learn to advocate for themselves throughout their healthcare journey—asking questions, seeking answers, and trusting their instincts, just as she did in pursuing the care that ultimately led to her Endometriosis diagnosis. She hopes to empower others to find their voice, access the support they deserve, and know they are not alone.
KRISTEN BRIDGEWATER
Kristen is the co-host of The Waiting Room’s Columbia, Missouri chapter. Her infertility journey began after multiple abdominal surgeries ultimately led to infertility. Since then, she has met with multiple specialists, explored a variety of treatments, and recently completed her third round of IVF after experiencing the heartbreak of losing embryos. She continues her journey with hope, faith, and a desire to keep moving forward.
For the first few years, Kristen and her husband chose to keep their journey private as they navigated the emotions, uncertainty, and challenges of infertility together. Eventually, they opened up to their community, seeking support—and they have been incredibly blessed by the love and encouragement they’ve received.
Through The Waiting Room, Kristen hopes to help create a space that feels safe, warm, and welcoming. She hopes that by sharing her own testimony and experiences, she can help someone feel a little less anxious, a little more prepared for the difficult moments, and reminded that they are not alone.
Infertility is a hard enough journey. No one should have to walk through it alone.
We're so glad you're here!
Interested in joining The Waiting Room Columbia? Complete the form to tell us a little about yourself, and we’ll be in touch with next steps.
In the meantime, follow @thewaitingroom_columbia on Instagram to stay connected with your local community.
