The first advanced education program for nursing in the United States began in the 1960s as the demand for primary care began to grow beyond the number of physicians available to provide it. Today the need for primary care remains greater than ever due to an aging population and many new individuals with healthcare coverage as a result of Accountable Care Act.
In Atchison and Holt Counties, mid-level providers have been a mainstay of the healthcare team for many years. In Missouri, family nurse practitioners can meet many primary care needs and each FNP has a collaborative practice agreement with a physician. Mid level providers extend the reach of physicians, provide emergency care and fulfill specialized roles like pediatric care. The relationship Family Nurse Practitioners have with CH-F physicians also ensures patients have a quick and efficient avenue to the physician when needed
Joanna Burke, PNP
Joanna Burke, PNP is a busy mother of three and wife of
Aron Burke M.D. While she loves being on the sidelines or in the bleachers for
her kids, Journi, Alex and Aiden, Joanna also spends a great deal of time with
the children of Atchison County. She sees pediatric patients Tuesday afternoons
and Thursday mornings at the Tarkio Family Practice Clinic and at the Family
Medical Center in Rock Port on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons.
Joanna always had a passion for the medical field and
chose to become a pediatric nurse practitioner because of her love for
children. Joanna sees patients 18 and under and enjoys being a part of the
lives of the children and families in our community.
Joanna is a special part of our medical team whose expertise is greatly appreciated by mothers everywhere!
We have one remaining post for our series on Nurse Practitioners. Stay tuned to read more about our very own Melissa Masonbrink in the next week. We are grateful for their expertise, their gentle touch and the love and compassion they show to our community. Next time you visit an area physician's office or the CH-F ER take a moment and join us in saying "thank you!"