"Deborah Hassebrock's desire to become a nurse was passed down to her by her grandmother, a caring woman who returned to school in her 50s to become a licensed nurse practitioner. Hassebrock chose to become a family nurse practitioner so she could have more opportunities to make a difference in people's lives. ""I love educating and teaching patients about their conditions and explaining why we want them to take a certain medication or follow a particular diet,"" she says. ""It is heartwarming to see patients take this information to heart and greatly improve their health and quality of life.""". Her top area of expertise is Diabetic Macular Edema (DME).

Born and raised in the heart of the Appalachian Highlands in Abingdon, Virginia, Brenna Hinchey, FNP-C, brings a genuine passion for healthcare to her community. After spending many years working as a registered nurse, Hinchey, made the decision to become a nurse practitioner, driven by a desire to elevate the level of care provided to patients. Inspired by family values, she treats every patient with the same level of excellence she expects for her loved ones. Hinchey’s patient-centric philosophy emphasizes the importance of attentive listening, a key element in understanding patients’ unique needs. Beyond the clinic, she finds joy in reading, playing the piano, and enjoying nature through beach outings and camping. Her top area of expertise is Urea Cycle Disorders (UCD).

Southwest Virginia native Emily Leidig, AGPCNP BC-C, is the first in her family to become a nurse. Thanks to her father, who encouraged her interest in healthcare, she now works in a career she loves, while helping people in the community. And as an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, she is happy to give back to her hometown, while staying close to family. “I enjoy getting to know my patients and their stories,” she says. “I believe listening to patients is one of, if not the, most important things we can do as practitioners.”.

April Osborne, ANP-BC, is originally from Wise County, Virginia. Motivated by personal experiences, including her brother's heart attack and her son's influence, she chose a career in medicine. April values building connections with her patients, guided by principles of compassion, dignity and respect. Active listening is fundamental to her patient-centered approach, allowing her to understand their medical needs and their personal concerns. Beyond her medical practice, April finds joy in supporting Virginia Tech sports, practicing yoga, bowling and spending time with her son and beloved border collies. Her top areas of expertise are Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF), Atrial Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia (AVNRT), and Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT).

. Her top areas of expertise are Gallbladder Disease and Biliary Dyskinesia.

. Her top areas of expertise are Arteriovenous Malformation and ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

. Her top areas of expertise are Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), Gallbladder Disease, and Liver Failure.

"Jaime Wilson, FNP-C, takes pride in delivering professional yet personal care to her patients. ""There's no greater feeling than receiving compliments from patients and their families about the care I've provided."" Jaime says. ""My goal is to make sure every patient feels valued and well-cared for. I strive to make a positive impact on their daily lives and overall health."" Originally from Southwest Virginia, Jaime has always been passionate about improving the lives of those in the Appalachian Highlands. Outside of her work, Jaime enjoys watching her children excel in sports and competitive dance.". Her top areas of expertise are Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia (AVNRT), Atrial Tachycardia, Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT), and Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF).

. Her top areas of expertise are Boils, Folliculitis, Carbuncle, and Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer.

"Diana Oakes, FNP-BC, says, ""I treat every patient is unique and each treatment plan needs to be structured around the individual. The health of each patient must include not only the treatment of disease but treating the patient as a whole person."" What Diana enjoys most about being a clinician is ""knowing that I can hopefully make a difference for every patient I interact with."" She loves the mountains and local atmosphere here in the Appalachian Highlands.". Her top areas of expertise are End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Chronic Kidney Disease, and Hypertension.

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Rebecca Nash is a Nurse Practitioner in Chilhowie, Virginia. Her top areas of expertise are Vitamin D Deficiency, Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer, and Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer.

Kimberly Harding is a Nurse Practitioner in Chilhowie, Virginia. Her top area of expertise is Scarlet Fever. Ms. Harding is currently accepting new patients.

. His top area of expertise is Aseptic and Alopecic Nodules of Scalp (AANS).

. Her top area of expertise is Muscle Spasms.

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Emily Boucher, FNP-C, was encouraged by her physician to pursue an advanced nursing education to become a family nurse practitioner. Her passion for the job continues to grow, and she says helping patients feel empowered to gain control of their health while improving their quality of life is the most rewarding part. Boucher believes it is vital to listen to patients. She says everyone has a story to tell, and when they are heard, it establishes trust and creates a connection. When not treating patients, she enjoys reading or exploring the Appalachian Highlands.

Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, Erin Hogan, grew up in Kingsport, Tennessee, and returned to the Appalachian Highlands after attending college in Massachusetts. She loves the region's welcoming people and beautiful scenery. With a passion for obstetrics and women's health, Erin is committed to creating a safe, nonjudgmental environment where patients feel comfortable discussing their health concerns. She enjoys building strong relationships and supporting women through all stages of life. In her free time, Erin enjoys hiking local trails, crafting, and trying new restaurants with her family and their dog.

Courtney Rogers, DNP, FNP-BC, is originally from Clintwood, Virginia, and has a deep passion for community and family-focused healthcare in the Appalachian Highlands. With a lifelong love of science and a strong desire to help others, she pursued a career in Family Medicine. As a Family Nurse Practitioner, Courtney thrives on the challenges and rewards of treating patients of all ages and diverse health needs. Her patient-centered approach is rooted in evidence-based practices, promoting holistic care. Listening to her patients is one of her core values, as it helps build trust and foster collaborative relationships in pursuing health goals.

McKenzie Burke, FNP-BC, believes the Appalachian Highlands offer many perks such as, the beautiful scenery to the familial culture she loves. Growing up watching her mother, a nurse, inspired her to step into the medical field. Now as a provider, “My goal is to provide the best care possible in order to optimize patient experience and health outcomes.” she says. Burke states, “My philosophy for treating patients is set on two terms: duty and honor. My duty is to serve my community by providing excellent care and it is important to honor my patient's wishes to establish achievable health goals.”.

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Miriam Culbertson, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, believes that communication is key to delivering the quality care patients deserve. “I listen with empathy and take a compassionate, patient-centered approach to care,” she says. “Active listening allows me to understand the full picture of someone’s health and wellness. I always strive to treat my patients the way I would want to be treated.” A native of East Tennessee, Miriam is deeply dedicated to serving the Appalachian Highlands community. “I love the natural beauty of this region and the strong sense of community here,” she says.

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