If you’ve visited a doctor’s office recently there is a high probability that you’ve seen a Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA). NPs and PAs (collectively known as advanced practice practitioners, or APPs) are widely used in hospitals, clinics and a variety of health care settings. Locally, Riverside Medical Group employs APPs in almost every practice.
A LONG PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
For more than 50 years, NPs and PAs have become a valued part of the health care team. Whether helping to provide care to smaller and rural communities or working alongside providers in every setting of care, NPs and PAs are qualified to take medical histories, perform physical examinations, diagnose medical problems, order therapy, counsel patients, and prescribe medications.
NPs and physicians at Riverside work as a team when developing a care plan for patients. This collaborative approach improves access to both primary care and specialty care by allowing patients to be seen by multiple professionals in a practice. That generally means less wait time to get an appointment and more schedule openings for new patients.
WHAT SHOULD WE CALL YOU?
It seems like a simple question, but these different provider types leave some patients confused about how to address them – especially when they are used to referring to their provider as “doctor.” Most of the APPs we spoke to prefer to be called by their fi
Susan Herndon, NP
rst name. They are less concerned about the formality and more concerned with getting to know patients, educating them about their conditions and promoting health and prevention as the best medicine.
QUALITY CARE IS CLOSE TO HOME
Susie Herndon got her Bachelors of Nursing from Johns Hopkins University was a nurse for more than 20 years before she decided to become a nurse practitioner. After earning a Masters of Science in Nursing with a concentration in oncology, she now travels from Mechanicsville to see patients at the Riverside Tappahannock Hospital Cancer Center.
She likes the opportunity to help patients navigate their cancer journey, providing support and education throughout their treatment.
“Everyone deserves high quality care, no matter where they live,” Herndon adds. “I can get to know my patients and develop treatment plans that meet each patient’s unique needs.”
Robin Lee, NP
After working as a nurse in the emergency department of RTH for many years, Robin Lee is now a nurse practitioner at Tappahannock Family Practice. She enjoys being able to see patients from youth through adulthood and into their senior years. She holds a Masters in Nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University.
A Northern Neck native, Lee grew up in Colonial Beach, Virginia. Her many connections to the area are why she chose to practice here.
“This is a wonderful community to provide care,” says Lee. “It’s also somewhere I enjoy spending time with my family.”From her experience, Lee said, she believes patients just want a qualified and knowledgeable professional with whom to discuss their health issues.
Kelsi Baughan, a pediatric nurse practitioner, practices at Warsaw Pediatrics. Baughan is a Tappahannock native and Essex High School graduate. She always knew she wanted to practice in her hometown.
Kelsi Baughan, NP
“I love being able to practice in the small, waterfront town where everyone is connected,” says Baughan.
After earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Virginia, then a Master and eventually Doctor of Nursing Practice from Old Dominion University, she is happy to take care of “kiddos” in her local community.
“We serve a large area, which means patients don’t have to travel outside of our region for quality pediatric care,” adds Baughan.
When Stephanie Oetting completed her Doctor of Nursing degree from the University of Missouri, she wanted to find a general surgery practice.
She was from a small town in her home state of Missouri and knew she wanted to provide care in a community setting. She was drawn to the coastal area of Virginia and also enjoyed the idea of providing care that would make a real difference for patients. When Riverside Surgical Specialists came calling, she knew she found the right practice.
Stephanie Oetting, NP
“We’re helping improve access to care for patients in a large geographic region,” Oetting explains. “I see patients for colonoscopy consults, preoperative evaluations and minor procedures including skin biopsies and wound care.”
Paul Franklin transitioned from 17 years in a surgical trauma ICU to a private practice NP working with Dr. Tyler Wind at Northern Neck Bone & Joint Center. He specializes in joint injections, splinting, casting and fracture care while helping patients understand every aspect of their conditions and treatment.
At Riverside and throughout the country, APPs not only offer access to health care, but they also add an important dimension of holistic, patient-centered care that is grounded in patient partnerships.
“I believe the work of APPs is no different than any other member of the Riverside care team,” explains Oetting. “We embody Riverside’s mission to care for others as we would care for those we love.”