About Megan CalkinsDuring an internship her senior year of high school, Megan Calkins, FNP, observed the work going on around her in the healthcare team and fell in love with the care that nurses were providing. I was always driven to do something where I could take care of people and help them feel better but also to have human interactions with them and take care of them in a holistic manner, she says. Megan earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at University of Indianapolis (Indiana), and her Master of Science in Nursing at Indiana University South Bend. She has worked in emergency departments, labor and delivery, and at a community healthcare center.As a nurse practitioner, Megan can do some of the things a doctor would do, such as prescribe medications and order tests to help guide diagnosis. She says, however, that her nursing education taught her to focus on the care of a person in a different way from a physical, mental and emotional standpoint.When I am at work, I am giving my patients 150% of myself. I am dedicated to providing the best individualized care for each individual person, Megan says. I think of my patients as part of their own care team and take their opinions, ideas, and concerns into consideration when recommending care.Megan has learned that people want to have a say in their care and she hopes they know she is doing her best to advocate for them. I hope that my patients have learned that I truly come to work for them and that their health, physical and mental, is incredibly important to me, she says.In her own wordsWho is or was the most influential people/role models in your life? Nurse Laure. She taught me that people deserve kindness, empathy, and compassion no matter who they are or how busy you are as their provider. What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? Waitress at Perkins. I loved interacting with people.What is your favorite food? Movie? Food: Tacos. Movie: Gladiator.What was your best/worst subjects in school growing up? Best: Math. Worst: ArtIf you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why? The founder of modern nursing herself Florence Nightingale. She was an intelligent woman in a time when women werent supposed to be. She questioned things and pushed boundaries. In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? I am passionate about my family and friends. They truly are my happy place and no time is better spent than with the people you love.What are your hobbies, interests? I love to exercise, read, travel, eat new foods, hike and lose myself in music.Do you have pets? Yes! I house is not a home without a dog or twoor threein it.What is something most people dont know about you? I went to 13 different schools before graduating high school.
About Jordan WalczewskiHelping others was always something Jordan Walczewski, AGACNP, knew she wanted to do. In high school, she volunteered at a hospital and learned why each role is important. Especially drawn to the nurses, she went on to become a Registered Nurse and then worked as an ICU nurse. I learned so much and my desire to learn continued to grow. Becoming an NP has always been a dream of mine and I am so excited to continue to care for others, she says.Jordan earned her Bachelor of Science Health Science at Indiana University South Bend (IN) and her Bachelor of Science Nursing, Valparaiso University (IN). Her Master of Science in Nursing Adult Gerontology Acute Nurse Practitioner is from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.Continuing with her interest in critical care, Jordans role as a trauma nurse practitioner requires her to provide care to patients following a traumatic injury. I take pride in providing patient-centered care as well as focusing on a patients overall well-being, she says.Jordan believes everyone has a story. I have cared for many patients that come to the hospital and each one has taught me different lessons on gratitude, compassion and vulnerability, she says. Being in the hospital is a stressful time for many and being able to listen during those times of uncertainty has helped me become the provider I am today.In her own wordsWho is or was the most influential people/role models in your life? My parents. They have believed in me and pushed me to achieve my goals.What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? Concession stand worker at Belleville (Byers) softball complex. I love spending my summers at the ballpark.What is your favorite food? Movie? Mashed potatoes; The Princess and the FrogWhat was your best/worst subjects in school? Best: Science Worst: ArtIf you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why? My maternal grandmother. I was young when she passed away from ovarian cancer. I always hear stories about how amazing she was. In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? Being a momWhat are your hobbies, interests? Traveling, sitting by the ocean/lake, and baseball gamesDo you have pets? Two tuxedo cats, Vivvie and GigiWhat is something most people dont know about you? Two things: I can beat my son in a race and my thumbs are two different sizes.
About KristenMeet Kristen Atwood. Her inspiration to pursue a career in medicine wasnt tied to one specific moment. Instead, it was her desire to ease the pain of others and help them feel better that motivated her. As an oncology nurse practitioner, Kristen cares for patients who are undergoing cancer treatments and manages their side effects. She also sees patients who have completed treatment and need to be monitored.People often ask her if its difficult working in oncology. But, as Kristen explains, My mother passed away from cancer in 2017, so oncology has always held a special place in my heart. Its important to me to be an advocate for people living with cancer.In Kristens eyes, the patient is always the provider. Her philosophy is to treat everyone with respect and make sure they know shes listening. Over the years, Ive learned that every person I treat is unique, Kristen says. They inspire me to live each day to its fullest, and I want my patients to know that I truly care about them.In her own wordsWho is or was the most influential person/role modelin your life? My mother.What was your first job growing up? What do youremember most about it? I was a golf caddy at WarrenGolf Course. I caddied for many Notre Dame coaches.What is your favorite food? Movie? My favorite foodis chicken parmesan. The Shawshank Redemption is myfavorite movie. I literally watch it every time its on TV.What were your best/worst subjects in schoolgrowing up? Science and math were my best subjects.History and art were my worst.If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (aliveor deceased), who would it be and why? My mombecause I miss her so much. I want her to meet hergranddaughter and see how much Ive accomplished.In addition to medicine, what are you passionateabout? What are your hobbies, interests? Spendingtime with my family. I also love traveling, cooking andplaying outside with my daughter.What is something most people dont know aboutyou? I took two years off after Notre Dame to do volunteerwork in Baltimore.
About Jo Anna CurlessWith a family full of teachers and trade workers, Jo Anna Curless, WHNP, says she honestly has no idea when and how she decided on a medical career. As for choosing women’s health as a specialty, she says, “I didn’t choose this specialty, it chose me.” While working at a hospital in labor and delivery as a Registered Nurse, there was a need for a lactation nurse. “I happened to be pregnant at the time and was planning on breastfeeding my son, so I was “voluntold” to be the lactation nurse for the department,” she recalls. After one lactation counselor course she was hooked.Jo Anna then went back to school to earn her Nurse Practitioner degree so she could help women even more by being their provider and not “just” their nurse. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Purdue University North Central, Westville, IN, and her Master of Science in Nursing from Frontier Nursing University, Versailles, KY. She is IBCLC-IBCLCE certified (International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners).Caring for women from puberty to death, Jo Anna’s philosophy as a provider is to follow the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” She says, “I try very hard to meet all my patients where they are and spend as much time with them as they need during a visit to help them make informed decisions about their own health.”Jo Anna says her patients have taught her to listen intently. She hopes they feel she provides them the time they need to make informed decisions. “I am committed to providing compassionate and evidence-based care.”In her own words…Who is or was the most influential people/role models in your life? I don’t have just one, because one person has not shaped who I am today. But if I had to just pick one, it would be my mother.What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? I was a lifeguard and a swim instructor for the La Porte County YMCA. I remember I liked teaching swim classes to the younger kids.What is your favorite food? Movie? Food: Tacos Movie: A League of Their Own (1992)What was your best/worst subjects in school growing up? I was good at anything that wasn’t government, history, geography or statistics.If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why? God: God could answer any question you could ever ask. In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? Learning new things, especially useless facts. I spend so much time using my brain, I like to learn things that don’t require much brain power.What are your hobbies, interests? Who has time for those? I have a husband, two children, two dogs, two cats, 20 chickens, 12 ducks and 7 bunnies. After adding in a full -time job, my interests include sleeping.What is something most people don’t know about you? I secretly want to be a librarian.
About Kara HarkerFrom a young age, Kara Harker, FNP, said she loved medicine and helping people. After college I spent a year caring for a young boy with disabilities and became passionate as a caregiver, she says. This is what inspired me to become a nurse. Her desire to learn more and provide more directly for patients led her to continue her education. Kara earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences at Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, and her Master of Science in Biology at Purdues Indianapolis location. She graduated from Rush University, Chicago, with her Master of Science in Nursing and earned her Post-Masters Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner at Indiana University South Bend.Kara enjoys her chosen specialty. I love the comprehensive care that family practice entails and the ability to form long, trusting relationships with patients, she says.She always does her best to show patients she cares about their well-being. I hope patients know that I am determined to provide the best care for them and am not afraid to ask questions and collaborate with other providers to do so, Kara says.In her own wordsWho is or was the most influential people/role models in your life? I was a caregiver, before becoming a nurse, for a young boy named Ben who had complex disabilities. Ben taught me how to embrace life, see the best in strangers, and how to advocate for one another. What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? I worked at my local Martins Supermarket in high school. I remember how difficult it was pushing carts across a snowy parking lot. What is your favorite food? have a major sweet tooth and can never say no to brownies and ice cream!What was your best/worst subjects in school growing up? My best subject in school growing up was Math I loved Algebra and calculus. My least favorite subject was probably English I dont enjoy writing essays. If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why? I would love to sit down with my great grandmother. Her life was not easy by any means, but she always had a positive outlook and friendly, calm demeanor. In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? Im passionate about embracing life through new experiences. This could be as small as trying a new recipe for dinner, to as big as traveling the world learning other cultures.What are your hobbies, interests? I love to travel with my husband. We like to seek out once-in-a-lifetime-opportunities and arent afraid of a little adrenaline! I also enjoy going on walks with my dog, cooking new recipes, and spending time with family.Do you have pets? I have an adorable 1-year-old Golden Retriever, Winnie.
About Esther AduAt a young age, Esther Adu, NP, knew she wanted a job that allowed her to care for others, because this role fulfilled her. With no exposure to the medical profession, she never thought of a career in the field. Instead, she put her mind toward being a lawyer or journalist. As she approached college, her father shared that he thought nursing would be a good career choice because of her caring nature. “It reminded be about when I was a child, I was admitted in the hospital and the nurses took very good care of me,” she says. “It ignited my desire to push forward and become a nurse.”She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at Goshen College, Goshen, IN, and is a graduate of the Frontier Nursing University, Hyden, KY, with a Master of Science – Family Nurse Practice. Esther has experience in progressive care units, senior living communities and hospitals.In her role as a cardiology nurse practitioner, she cares for people with heart conditions. Esther chose this specialty because of a fascination with the workings of the heart. As she worked in her first RN job at Elkhart General Hospital, she knew she wanted to do more with cardiology. “I want to diagnose and treat,” she says. “Most importantly the heart is to be guarded with diligence because that is where life springs from.”Throughout her training and work, Esther has learned to be a good listener and she hopes her patients see her compassion.“Patients have taught me that every patient’s care is individualized and unique to them,” she says. “Patients have also taught me about resilience and gratitude.”In her own words…Who is or was the most influential people/role models in your life? My children are the most influential people in my life. They influence me to raise my bars in life and be a positive role model to them. I also come from a family of hard workers who are resilient. I believe that environment motivates me to strive to be better in life.What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? My first job growing up was babysitting. It was really fun because it gave me a sense of responsibility because parents trusted me to take good care of their little ones. I still babysit friends and family children in my free time.What is your favorite food? Movie? My favorite food is a local Ghanaian food which is beans with fried yams and plantains. Another favorite dish is fufu with peanut butter soup. My all-time favorite movies are The Sound of Music and Parent Trap.What was your best/worst subjects in school growing up? My best subject in school was literature; my worst subject was mathematics.If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why? Yaa Asantewaa (D. 1921), Ghana’s Ashanti Queen mother. She was a warrior who fought for the Ashanti kingdom. I would love to hear all the history of Ghana, colonialism, and all the battles fought for the freedom we have now.In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? I am passionate about helping less fortunate people especially children and elderly.What are your hobbies, interests? My hobbies are cooking, reading, traveling and spending time with my twin boys.What is something most people don’t know about you? I like writing songs.
Closed now
About Lucinda Kil GillisA passion for helping others shaped the career path of Lucinda Kil Gillis, PMHNP. “While in college I purposely took a job in a nursing home while deciding on my career to gain some background, and found I loved caring for others,” she says.Lucinda’s undergraduate work began at Indiana University, Bloomington, where she majored in Biology & Pre- Nursing. She went on to complete her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Loyola University of Chicago. Next, she attended IUPUI – Indianapolis and earned a Nursing Administration Certificate and completed Pre-nurse Practitioner coursework. Advanced degrees included a Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) from the University of Notre Dame Law School and a Master of Science in Nursing in Psychiatric Mental Health NP from Purdue University Global, West Lafayette, IN.In her work as a nurse, Lucinda practiced in the NICU and also taught at Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. While working on her graduate studies and staying active in nursing, she completed her doctorate degree in law with the goal of combining the two areas to focus on healthcare law and other needs of clients that intersected legal-medical needs.As a nurse practitioner, Lucinda cares for the mental health needs of patients and can assess, diagnose and address their needs under the supervision of psychiatrists. Lucinda recalls that when she first began working in hospitals, she encountered mental health issues everywhere – on the job and outside of work. “I chose to then focus my nursing practice in the psychiatric area,” she says. “I have the passion to want to help others in their mental health struggles and to do the best I can to help them work toward wellness and happiness.”Lucinda prefers a patient-centered approach to care. “I will also never take an approach claiming as though I know everything, and to the contrary, will recognize when I need to consult with others, and will always consult with others more experienced than me when needed,” she says.In all of her roles, Lucinda has learned from patients that no two people are alike. “This seems even more evident in mental health care than in general medical needs, as every single person’s background, genetics, and experiences have brought them to the place they are today in regard to their mental health,” she says.In her own words…Who is or was the most influential people/role models in your life? Both my mom and dad, as they instilled strong values in me. They taught me the meaning of hard work, they worked harder in their lives than any other persons I know, they taught me to be optimistic and positive, and that goals are attainable with hard work.What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? McDonald’s, and to this day I remember little things I learned there from the employer such as never just sit around but rather always be busy, and that the customer comes first.What is your favorite food? Movie? Favorite foods: Spaghetti Favorite movie: Mary Poppins, for it’s wonderful life lessons on values and attitudesWhat was your best/worst subjects in school growing up? My best subjects were math and science; my worst were history and economics, but I love history now.If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why? I would love to speak to any or all of my ancestors, but mostly my great great … grandfather, the Elder William Brewster (1566-1644), who came to our land on the Mayflower. He is represented in artwork in four places in the U.S. Capitol.In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? I am especially passionate about persons with Special Need and their families, in part because my fifth child of seven has Dual Diagnosis Down Syndrome with Autism, and I am also passionate about my family including my husband, children, and grandchildren, and...
Closed now
