Need help managing a cold, having and recovering from surgery or having a baby? There’s an APP for these – and many other – health situations and this week, we’re celebrating them!
Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) include nurse practitioners, physician assistants, certified registered nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists and certified nurse midwives. They provide many kinds of patient care, helping expand access to quality care. APPs complete health care management, connect patients to other medical specialties and services, and collaborate with physicians to deliver timely care. In short, they maintain a seamless patient experience no matter the team they support.
From Sept. 26 – 30, Atrium Health will join over 100 organizations across the country to celebrate National APP Week. The fourth annual event honors the vital role that APPs play in patient-centered care and how they contribute to clinical research, advocacy work and mentoring.
This APP Week and always, we share our deepest gratitude to our teammates and the incredible work they do each day.
Get to know a few of these outstanding APPs and honor the health, hope and healing they provide at Atrium Health:
Erin Dugan |
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Name: Erin Dugan
Role: Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Nurse Practitioner, Director of Advanced Practice for Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital
As a nurse practitioner in the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Levine Children’s Hospital, Erin takes care of infants, children and young adults with congenital and acquired heart disease during critical illness.
Her work focuses on an extremely critical patient population and the support of families during difficult times. “From operations and workflow in the ICU, to communicating with multidisciplinary care teams, we function as a unit and one team every day,” she said.
Such collaboration, trust and teamwork across the ICU drives and motivates Erin:
“Words of encouragement, a hug from a colleague, or a ‘great job today’ from a teammate is icing on the cake!”
James K. Duncan |
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Name: James K. Duncan
Role: Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Atrium Health Floyd – Primary Care Family Medicine Cartersville
James Duncan takes immense pride in his role as an APP. In fact, “I feel blessed to have the opportunity to give back to the community,” he said.
Paying it forward and caring for others the way that James had been cared for in his own experiences with medical concerns gives him purpose.
“There are many instances during my tenure where my best care resulted in a happy ending for the patient’s healing,” he said. “My patients share uplifting, sincere gratitude for the work I do and listening to them is my greatest attribute as an APP.”
Yolanda Gates |
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Name: Yolanda Gates
Role: Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Atrium Health Navicent
Yolanda Gates knows the importance of having and showing heart. She provides patient care for advanced heart failure, collaborating with Healthy Communities for referrals and ongoing patient needs.
“Whenever I get to notify a patient that their heart failure has been reversed, I always feel a sense of pride,” she said.
Her other source of joy is when she reunites with a patient who was seriously ill who is now thriving. Those moments – when even she is surprised by how well they are doing – bring deep meaning to her work.
Latane Grove |
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Name: Latane Grove
Role: Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care, Assistant Director of Advanced Practice – Pediatric Primary Care
As an APP leader within Atrium Health, Latane Grove helps all of the pediatric primary care APPs navigate their practice and work to the top of their licenses.
“Pediatric primary care serves children from birth to 22 years old, meaning we tend to a wide range of situations and instances,” she said.
No matter the age or ailment, Latane’s area of pediatric expertise aligns with her personal values to make the world a better place for those after her.
“I teach my patients and my own children acceptance and to be kind. That is the greatest gift to give someone.”
Kristin J. Henderson |
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Name: Kristin J. Henderson
Role: Anesthesia Care Clinical Instructor, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Davie Medical Center, Adjunct Faculty, Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Kristin Henderson works alongside nursing staff, the anesthesia team, surgeons, support services and leadership to direct anesthesia care at Davie Medical Center and Brenner Children's Hospital.
Collaboration and passion are the foundation of all that she does, and Kristin hopes to instill these qualities in the next generation of her peers.
“I know that the impact of my career spans much further when I invest in the education of APP learners,” she said. “Teaching them to carry on the knowledge and skills that were taught to me is both challenging and deeply rewarding.”
Darquita Loyd |
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Name: Darquita Loyd
Role: Nurse Practitioner, Atrium Health Navicent Supportive Oncology Care, a facility of Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center
A solution seeker at heart, Darquita Loyd helped to implement supportive oncology care at Atrium Health Navicent. She currently administers services there to address the physical and emotional needs of patients and families throughout their cancer journeys.
“I connect patients with symptom management tools, survivorship programs and other means to improve health, facilitate recovery and nurture well-being,” she said.
Her comprehensive approach to cancer care and education ensures every patient is prepared and has a support system throughout their experience.
This scope of care has allowed Darquita to grow as a provider and participate in the cancer patient’s experience outside of traditional treatment.
Every day, she views her work as an opportunity to learn new things and improve processes by finding ways to resolve a problem – no matter the challenge.
Lauren Rogers |
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Name: Lauren Rogers
Role: Inpatient Malignant Hematology Physician Assistant
Lauren Rogers absolutely loves being a physician assistant. She treats severely ill patients through their toughest days and views every situation as a privilege to care for some of the most inspirational and resilient individuals.
“Each day, patients motivate me to become a better provider through their strength and positivity,” she said. “Their gratitude encourages me to continue practicing medicine, not only because I am passionate about the profession, but because I want to continue positively impacting other patient’s lives.”
Kate Schultz |
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Name: Kate Schultz
Role: Chief APP, Outpatient Neurology, Atrium Health Neurosciences Institute – Neurology Cabarrus
Specializing in headache medicine, Kate Schultz knows the importance of pain-free days and how debilitating headaches can be for people.
“Being able to help improve patient quality of life is everything,” she said. “It is an honor to provide care I am passionate about and to know that I am living out my calling.”
Someday, Kate hopes that her children will be able to say the same thing. “I know that my kids are able to see that I have a career I love … I never want them to settle for anything less.”
Frederico Soares |
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Name: Frederico Soares
Role: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Malignant Hematology and Oncology
Frederico Soares takes immense pride in helping patients overcome difficulties with their diagnoses in the malignant hematology and oncology division.
His greatest strength is a holistic perspective to care, which he feels all APPs innately possess.
“We spend time listening, assessing and working with the patient on spiritual and physical areas in addition to illness or disease,” he said.
This caretaking quality comes from a meaningful place for Frederico.
“My wife and son, my parents, sister and nephew … my loved ones are my support system especially as I moved to the United States,” he said. “They are my reason why I am able to be here right now and succeed.”
