Family Nurse Practitioners are Vital to Rural Healthcare: Melissa Masonbrink FNP

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.

Melissa Masonbrink FNP

Melissa Masonbrink, FNP enjoys seeing patients in several different settings in Atchison County. She works in the CH-F Emergency Room, in the women’s health clinic at the Atchison County Health Center and in Dr. Burke’s Tarkio clinic on Fridays. She loves the variety of patients that she gets to take care of from urgent to emergent.

“Nothing is more rewarding that seeing a patient have a good outcome and knowing that you were part of their recovery” explained Melissa. 

Melissa has lived in Rock Port for 9 years with her daughter Lydia, 11, who is a student at Rock Port Elementary School. She feels like she has become part of the community through her work, but also as a parent as she attends ballgames and school functions.

“Caring for my community is important to me and I’m glad that I get to practice in the place I call home,” Melissa commented.

This concludes our series on our Family Nurse Practitioners. We are so grateful to each one of them and the care they provide in our community!

Family Nurse Practitioners are Vital to Rural Healthcare: Joanna Burke, PNP

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!"

Family Nurse Practitioners are Vital to Rural Healthcare: Pam Davis, FNP

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.

Pam Davis FNP

Pam Davis FNP has been taking care of patients in Atchison County since she graduated from nursing school in 1978. When she is not camping with her husband, Jim, or doting on her adorable grandson, MJ, she is undoubtedly trying to make someone feel better at the Tarkio Family Practice Center or Rock Port Family Medical Center where she has been serving as a Family Nurse Practitioner for nearly 20 years.

“In 1993, Dr. Hrabik convinced me to go back to school to become a nurse practitioner. Advanced practice nursing was beginning to play an important role in healthcare in underserved rural areas at that time. I have always wanted to see that our county has healthcare available so I felt it was a good career move for me and good for our patients” explained Pam.

“I truly enjoy working alongside our physicians in striving to be available for the residents of our county and those surrounding counties. My goal is to stay current in health care issues and provide the best possible care to our patients. I love working with all stages of life and being a family nurse practitioner allows me to do so” explains Pam.

Meet our Providers: Connie Anderson, FNP

Our Family Nurse Practitioners: Vital to Rural Healthcare

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.

Meet Connie Anderson, FNP

Connie Anderson, FNP brings a unique perspective to the CH-F team after running her own clinic while serving in the U.S. Army in Iraq during 2007 and 2008. While in Iraq, she provided primary care for both military and contract workers.

“Because I ran a clinic there, I have become more assertive and confident as a nurse practitioner, but at the same time, I have become more compassionate, because I experienced so much in Iraq,” she said.

Connie has been a nurse since 1970 and a FNP since 2004. She enjoys working at the CH-F Emergency Room because of the relationship among providers.

“There is a great connection between nurse practitioners and physicians. We are a great team,” explained Connie.

Connie is also a mom and grandma and makes her home in Maryville, Mo.

Meet Our Providers: Becky Heits FNP

During the first two weeks of May, hospitals all over the United States celebrate Nursing Week and Hospital Week. We love the opportunity to celebrate our hardworking staff. We also feel it is a great time to tell you more about some of our fantastic providers, our nurse practitioners.

Our Family Nurse Practitioners: Vital to Rural Healthcare

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.

Meet Becky Heits, FNP

Becky Heits began her career thirty years ago as a nurse’s aide at Community Hospital-Fairfax. She went on to become a RN. Through the years, she continued her education and in August of 2013, she celebrated her graduation from a nurse practitioner program. Shortly after her graduation, she began seeing patients in the CH-F Emergency Room.

When asked why she felt called to be a nurse practitioner she explained, “A nurse practitioner is a unique blend of nursing and medical. I wanted to partner with patients to assist them in attaining their optimal health. With the lack of primary care doctors in rural areas, nurse practitioners play an important role in providing healthcare.”

Becky thrives on the challenges provided by her work. She believes strongly in treating her patients with respect and compassion just like her own family.

Becky is a lifelong Northwest Missouri native. She currently lives in Tarkio, but was raised in Mound City. She is married to Todd and they have a son, Kyle.

Community Hospital-Fairfax is so proud of Becky and all that she has accomplished. We are so grateful to her and to all of our staff for choosing rural healthcare! Stay tuned to meet more of nurse practitioners through the coming weeks!

Jo Stevens Is on the Road to Recovery and the Bowling Alley

"Let's try driving," said Helen Jo Steven's friend on a winter day not so long ago.

"We went down to the park. I got behind the wheel and it was like riding a bike. I was so surprised and extremely grateful," explained Jo.

This winter Jo arrived at the CH-F Emergency Room after suffering a stroke. She explains that she never felt bad, but she had lost mobility in the right side of her body. After being evaluated in the ER, she was admitted to the hospital's inpatient floor to begin her journey to recovery.

Jo was a patient at CH-F for 23 days. During that time she was considered a skilled patient. This means that her care was heavily focused on restoring her health and enabling her to get back to her very active lifestyle. Each day Jo received physical therapy, which she calls invaluable to her recovery. Jo especially appreciated the kindness of the nursing staff and the whirlpool baths she was treated to several times a week!

"Seeing a patient admitted to the hospital with an illness or injury is always really difficult, but the day they leave with restored mobility or health is really exciting especially since so many that we care for are also our friends and family," Samantha Grist, RN, CH-F Med Surge Manager shared about the feelings of the nurses at CH-F.

 Jo was grateful to receive the care she needed close to home. As an avid bowler and former mayor of Rock Port, Jo has many friends and relatives. Her hospital stay at CH-F meant that she frequently had visitors. She explains that this made her days go very quickly.

Bowling is a passion of Jo's and with the purchase of a lighter ball, she plans to hit the lanes as soon as possible. Part of reaching this goal is the therapy she received which she shares "helped her tremendously."  She is determined to reach her average score of 130 again.

Shannon Pruitt, PT, Director of Rehab Services at CH-F says that Jo's effort made all the difference, "Throughout Jo's rehab journey, she never lost hope or sight of her goals. She always had a smile on her face and a good joke to keep us laughing. Her determination is a tremendous display of her achievements and will be what continues to help her improve in the future. She remains an inspiration to our entire team."

Ask your physician if skilled care and therapy services are an option for you. And remember that you can come to Community Hospital-Fairfax for skilled care, therapy or other services even if you had surgery elsewhere. For more information talk to your physician or call CH-F at (660) 686-2211.

Other News:

CH-F is Opening a Physician's Clinic in Holt County

Our March Clinic Calender is Available to View Here

New Varicose Vein Procedures at CH-F

Craig Resident is Back on the Combine after Cardiac Rehab at CH-F

Two years ago, rural Craig resident, Richard "Pude" Jackson, was a very different man than today. Recovering from open heart surgery, returning home from a three week stint in an Omaha hospital and feeling extremely weak, he could not imagine a time when he would be behind the wheel of a combine again. 

It was then that Dr. Aron Burke took one look at him and recommended he enroll in the CH-F Cardiac Rehab program.

"When Pude came into Cardiac Rehab for the first time, he was using a walker. I watched as he became stronger and walked in one day with a cane. By the time he graduated from the program, he walked out on his own," commented Jackie Martin, RN and Cardiac Rehab Nurse.

Pude attended Cardiac Rehab over a 12 week period with 36 sessions. During this time, he learned how to use the treadmill and strengthen his arms. He also changed his eating habits substantially. He lost 20 pounds over the three months he was enrolled in the program.

After graduating from Cardiac Rehab, Pude did not stop with the transformation. He began walking two times a day for 30 minutes on the treadmill.  In the summer, he adds a quarter mile walk outside and sometimes uses his stationary bike as well. He has continued to lose weight and his wife, Pat, has joined him in the new healthy lifestyle.

Even though he continued to make strides with his health, Pude was still experiencing weakness in his left arm after the surgery. Once again, he turned to CH-F for help and began receiving physical therapy for his arm. Today, he feels better than ever.

"I'm 67 years old and this fall my neighbor asked if I could run his combine. I wasn't sure that I could, but I ended up putting 137 hours behind the wheel over two weeks. That is something I never thought I'd do again" Pude shared.

Today, Pude sees Dr. Ryan Whitney in the CH-F Cardiac Outpatient Clinic. His last report was glowing.

Dr. Aron Burke, Pude's Primary Care Physician, is proud of what Pude has accomplished, "Pude is an excellent example of someone who took what was learned in Cardiac Rehab and applied it to his life. His health has taken a significant turn for the better in the last two years."

For questions about Cardiac Rehab, please contact Jackie Martin RN at (660) 686-2211 or jackiem@FairfaxMed.com

Wondering about your risk for a heart event? Find out here: