My career in medicine began serendipitously as a nursing assistant at Wickenburg Community Hospital. While working, I also completed Nursing School at Yavapai Community College in Prescott, Arizona. Before long I began to feel as though I couldn’t do enough for patients and wanted to go further. I entered the Primary Care/Emergency Nurse Practitioner Program at Maricopa County Hospital, challenged the PA exam, and became a Physician Assistant.
I love practicing medicine and have done so for over 30 years. Every patient has a story and every patient is dear to my heart. I see patients from all ages for disease prevention, treatment, and health maintenance. I believe medicine and care go together and all patients should have a voice in their care.
My husband and I live in Wickenburg, raised our family here, and love the community.
Family Nurse Practitioner’s Role in Primary Care
With the growing complexity of health care and diminishing availability of primary care physicians, many patients are seeing family nurse practitioners for their primary care needs.
Nurse practitioners help patients manage acute and chronic illnesses. They conduct physical exams and perform diagnostic tests and procedures. Nurse practitioners in the family practice specialty diagnose and treat patients from childhood to adulthood.
Scope of Responsibilities
Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have an advanced training. With the exception of surgery, nurse practitioners are allowed under state regulations to provide many of the same services performed by physicians. These services include diagnosing and treating health problems; performing prenatal, well-child, and adult care checkups; diagnosing and managing minor trauma, including suturing and splinting; prescribing medications; and teaching health promotion and disease prevention to patients.
Collaborative Care
Family nurse practitioners approach patients with an understanding of the value of collaborative, family-centered care.
In addition to the focus on family dynamics, nurse practitioners have referral and consultative relationships with other healthcare providers, such as physicians, pharmacists, and psychologists. Effective collaboration has proven to promote better communication, healthcare management, and positive health outcomes.
Medicare
BCBSAZ Commercial & Medicare Advantage
AETNA Commercial (including Meritain), Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO
Cigna Medicare Advantage
Humana/ Humana Medicare Advantage
Devoted
Imperial/Scan
Multiplan
BANNER Health Network(BHN)
BCBSAZ BHN Advantage
AARP Medicare Complete BHN
UHC Medicare Solutions BHN
United Healthcare
AARP Medicare Complete
UHC Medicare Solutions
Optum Network
State AHCCCS
CMDP
Mercy Care – Complete Care
Care 1st
UHC Community Plan-Complete Care
Banner University Health Plans
AZ Complete Health + Allwell MCR Advantage
AmBetter
AZ Complete Health-Complete Care
Molina (Magellan)Complete Care
Health Choice of AZ
Community Hospital Clinics are located in Wickenburg, Wittmann, and Congress. We sincerely follow our mission to provide quality health and wellness services where the patient, family, and community come first.
Read MoreOur 8 bed Emergency Room department is fully staffed with emergency physicians, nurses, and ER specialists. Your wait time is typically measured in minutes not hours as in the larger metropolitan hospitals.
Read MoreWickenburg Community Hospital provides a wide variety of surgical care and treatment. We serve a vibrant and active community who favors quality health care close to home.
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