Providing complete and individualized health care for the total women throughout her life cycle is one of my personal and professional goals. In 1996, I joined NWWHC and enjoy the opportunity to work with such a wonderful and talented group in fulfilling this goal. I am committed to providing the most up-to-date care and information to each woman in a gentle, compassionate manner. I believe in patient education for the prevention of illness and disease which allows us to be pro-active partners in your health care.
I received my Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1976 from the Montana State University, Bozeman, MT. For the next 13 years, I worked in a small rural Montana hospital and general surgeon/family practice clinic. In 1988, my family and I moved to the Flathead Valley and I began working in women's health care. Wanting to provide more complete care, I returned to school to pursue nurse practitioner education. I received my Women's Heath Care Nurse Practitioner license in 1992 from the Educational Institute in Billings, MT, and was certified by the National Certification Corporation in 1993. I am licensed by the State Board of Nursing and have my prescriptive authority. In 1997, I began providing diagnostic ultrasonography for our patients. Keeping abreast of the most current medical practices requires continuing education through reading journals, as well as participating in conferences and seminars, which I do each year. I was born and raised in Wolf Point, MT. I married Tom, in 1973, and we have two wonderful children, Toby (1980) and Mari (1983). They are both very talented violinists and play several other instruments as well. We have always been very involved in their pursuits and hobbies and have enjoyed all the outdoor activities the Flathead Valley offers, especially spending time on Flathead Lake and skiing Big Mountain. We are members of Northridge Lutheran Church and are active in the community.
I am a very active member in the local Advanced Practice Nurses Group and in the MT Advanced Practice Nurses Association, having served as secretary/treasurer of that organization for 4 yrs. I continue to work on legislative efforts to improve patient access to care and was awarded the Mary Munger Award in 1996 from the Montana Nurses Association for leadership in legislation.
I have experience with patients of all ages with a strong family practice background. Through the years I have seen many changes in health care and in the 1990's I am very dedicated to health care of women in a primary care setting. It is my personal belief that honesty, hard work, integrity, a sense of humor in a professional manner, and the best medical care available are the keys to excellence in health care.
