Kelly L. Schillinger, NP

Philosophy of care | I want to really listen to people. What patients want is to not be a number but to feel the provider is really listening and invested in what’s happening. People appreciate if I take time to explain things two or three times. Good communication helps them understand better, participate more in decision-making and engage more fully in their care, all of which leads to better outcomes and health. | Why I entered medicine | When I was in middle school, I volunteered in the hospital once a week doing simple things like delivering tissue boxes or water bottles to patients. I found every patient had a story, and I wanted to go into every room and hear each one – the medical story, the social story, how they got there.  I just fell in love with the whole hospital scene. I grew up in the area and decided early that I wanted to work at LVHN. I started as a registered nurse (RN) because I wanted to be at the bedside. Later I decided could do more as a nurse practitioner. I chose family medicine because I like the idea of treating the whole family. When I see a newborn, I’ve already treated the parents and likely the grandparents. During that visit I feel like I’m seeing everybody, not just the newborn. When you know the whole family, you understand their dynamics – the medical history, how the parents feel about health, whether they’re agreeable to certain things or will carry out a treatment plan – and that affects the parents as well as their children. Those relationships ultimately benefit health. | Community involvement | I’ve worked at flu clinics through LVHN, have taught kids first aid through the National Wild Turkey Federation and do a lot of charity walks and runs. I’ve also been on church-related mission trips in the U.S. and went on a medical mission trip to Zambia when I was studying to be an RN. That trip lasted a month and involved helping with everything from working in schools to testing for malaria and HIV. I have young kids now but hope to do more mission trips when they get a bit older. | Personal interests | I enjoy running and doing events like 5Ks to benefit causes like Officer Down, breast cancer or domestic violence, as well as the Disney Half Marathon. I also enjoy swimming and cooking healthy recipes. A lot of my other interests revolve around spending time with my kids and being involved with all their activities.