UW Ob-Gyn celebrates National Advanced Practice Provider Week!
National Advanced Practice Providers Week is September 26-30, 2022! Please join us in learning a little bit more about some of the incredible APPs who support the clinical, educational, and research missions in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn and thanking them for their expertise, excellence, and dedication!
Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn – Certified Nurse Midwives
Hannah Copp, CNM
Why do patients come to see you? In clinic and hospital. for midwifery care
Why did you choose this career? Helping women trust their bodies
Most rewarding part of your job? Helping women through hard times
What do you wish more people knew or understood about your profession? We see women for GYN as well
Cally Christenson, CNM
Anastasia Doherty, CNM
Denise K Fryzelka, PhD, CNM, APNP
Why do patients come to see you? The reasons are varied- some seek all female or queer friendly providers; some seek to have a greater voice and participation in their care and decisions...here to support all of these!
What is the most rewarding part of your job? Listening and educating, advocating, and influencing diverse populations in decisions that affect current and future emotional and physical health
What do you wish more people knew or understood about your profession? Midwifery care and scope of practice encompasses gender and women's health across the life span- not just pregnancy and birth
Cassandra Liss, CNM
Leslie Smith, CNM
Why do patients come to see you? Shared decision making, midwifery model of care
Why did you choose this career? Love for supporting a family by their side during pregnancy/ labor and delivery/ postpartum time periods
Most rewarding part of your job? Positive birth experiences and safe outcomes
What do you wish more people knew or understood about your profession? CNMs practice evidence based care, support all methods of pain management, and that midwifery means “with woman”, the importance of the power of presence
Jodi Wagner, CNM
Why do patients come to see you? Patients come to us because they are seeking midwifery care. They may have had a previous traumatic birth experience and are looking for an alternative
Why did you choose this career? I feel very strongly about providing a model of care for women where they feel listened to and feel like their wishes are respected.
Most rewarding part of your job? Educating and advocating for women and their families. I love educating them throughout the prenatal period and then being with them throughout their labor and birth.
What do you wish more people knew or understood about your profession? Our scope of practice. When many people hear the word midwife, they think we only do home births, they often have no idea that we provide care for women across their life.
Anna Yearous-Algozin, CNM
Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn
Ann Baggot, WHNP-BC
Why do patients come to see you? OB patients are shared with MDs; gyn patients are seen/managed by me, they often come via word of mouth, or watching my video bio on UW Health's website
Why did you choose this career? I have always had a passion for women's reproductive health, and enjoy empowering women with knowledge about their bodies and choices in managing their health
Most rewarding part of your job? Empowering women to get/be/stay healthy; providing a safe, comfortable place for women to address awkward, sensitive issues
What do you wish more people knew or understood about your profession? Although NPs have advanced training to evaluate and manage all sorts of reproductive health issues, we also as Registered Nurses first use the biopsychosocial approach (evaluate the issue through the lens of the whole person, not just a medical diagnosis)
Krystal Boardman, NP
Why do patients come to see you? Patients come to see me for gynecology and ob care. I work in the clinics.
Why did you choose this career? I chose this career to help people and make a difference. Sometimes they are small differences, but they can make a big impact on patient's lives.
Most rewarding part of your job? I love working in the clinic as you get to establish relationships. There are many women I have seen for gynecology care and then worked with them for their pregnancies.
What do you wish more people knew or understood about your profession? Nurse practitioners have a lot of training and education. I have worked in women's health for over 20 years. Sometimes patients request only to see a physician. We provide great competent care.
Kira Connolly-Nelson, NP
Why do patients come to see you? Patients come to see me for prenatal and postpartum care, contraception, gynecologic problems, and fertility concerns
Why did you choose this career? I chose this career because I love developing relationships with people and partnering with them to help improve their health
Most rewarding part of your job? I love connecting with patients and developing relationships with them over time
What do you wish more people knew or understood about your profession? Nurse practitioners have advanced degrees and can practice independently
Emelle Holmes-Drammeh, PA
Kristina Krueger, NP
Why do patients come to see you? They have been referred by family members and friends for certain women's health concerns. In a clinic setting with focus on shared decision making and empathy which is key to a successful visit and long term patient relationship
Why did you choose this career? To provide comprehensive compassionate women's healthcare as a Nurse Practitioner
Most rewarding part of your job? Providing care that improves not only physical health of adolescent girls to elder women but also providing emotional and mental support through the lifespan. I often see multigenerational women of the same family. It is gratifying that women trust me to help them with some their most vulnerable health concerns.
What do you wish more people knew or understood about your profession? That APP's provide comprehensive medical care with focus on the entire person
Laura Kwitek, DNP
Allison Ladner, NP
Mindy Rose, NP
Why do patients come to see you? Women seek care for well check ups, contraception, menopausal symptoms, gynecologic concerns, and pregnancy care.
Why did you choose this career? I really enjoy helping patients through the many life stages that are so unique to women.
Most rewarding part of your job? Helping a patient achieve her health goals.
What do you wish more people knew or understood about your profession? It is a very rewarding way to provide health care at a high level that is unique to nursing.
Nicole Shapiro, NP
Jeanmarie Sharp, NP
Why do patients come to see you? To receive quality, comprehensive health care
Why did you choose this career? To help improve the lives of women
What do you wish more people knew or understood about your profession? The skill of listening for better understanding
Shelly Weisheipl, CNM, FNP-C
Why do patients come to see you? OB Triage
Why did you choose this career? Empowering women
Most rewarding part of your job? Education
What do you wish more people knew or understood about your profession? Midwives do more than deliver babies
Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery
Sari Archer, APNP
Why do patients come to see you? Direct patient care in a clinic setting.
Why did you choose this career? I always wanted to be a nurse and desired more professional responsibility and autonomy in practice
Most rewarding part of your job? Helping women manage conditions that improve their quality of life.
What do you wish more people knew or understood about your profession? APPs oftentimes work as a team and in collaboration with other healthcare providers.
Angie Sergeant, NP
Why do patients come to see you? Patients see me for help with their pelvic floor disorders.
Why did you choose this career? I became a nurse because I liked the idea of helping people. I later realized that I chose the right career as I have the opportunity to change lives everyday.
Most rewarding part of your job? Empowering women to take control over the symptoms that are impacting their every day lives.
What do you wish more people knew or understood about your profession? There is so much we can do for pelvic floor issues!
Gynecologic Oncology
Melanie Hall, NP
Anne Mayer, PA
Joelle Mulroy-Cluff, PA
Megan Peterson, DNP
Why do patients come to see you? I work with women regarding cancer survivorship and cancer surveillance. I also work to improve the sexual health of women with cancer or who have previously had cancer.
Why did you choose this career? My grandma was a nurse and her stories were always very interesting, which started me thinking about healthcare as a career. Also, my father told me a degree in History wouldn't get me far in life. In college I shadowed a midwife and I realized I wanted to become an APP. I felt Women's Health would be the best fit for me, so know I am a WHNP.
Most rewarding part of your job? Helping women and their families cope with a cancer diagnosis-whether it be initial diagnosis, transition to survivorship, or end of life. I feel as an APP I can provide the anticipatory guidance that patients and families need, even if they don't realize it at the time. When I have finished talking with a family and they say I have answered all the questions they brought in with them to clinic, that is a rewarding day for me.
What do you wish more people knew or understood about your profession? Wisconsin state law does not allow NPs full practice authority which is disappointing considering the large areas of underserved & rural areas in WI. There are a wide variety of certifications NPs can hold: Adult-Gero, Pediatric, Neonatal, Psychiatric Mental Health, Family, Women's Health, Acute Care.
Joanne Rash, PA-C
Why do patients come to see you? Patients see me most commonly for follow up after a gynecologic oncology diagnosis (uterine cancer, ovary cancer, cervix cancer, vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer or gestational trophoblastic disease). I follow women for several years after diagnosis and treatment. You will also find my seeing patients along side the physician team at new patient visits, preop visits and at time of cancer recurrence. At times I also work on the inpatient floor.
Why did you choose this career? Women's health has always been an area of interest of mine. Gynecologic Oncology is a challenging specialty that allows me to provide detailed education to patients at an emotional time. I like that it blends both surgery and medicine. Cancer care is constantly evolving as new therapies are discovered and this excites me.
Most rewarding part of your job? I enjoy walking alone side my patients during their cancer journey. Providing them robust education, so they can understand what is happening to their bodies and how our team is going to treat the cancer, all while supporting her, the patient. I enjoy seeing patient after they completed cancer care and are transitioned into surveillance. In this phase of care, I become a detective looking for clues (labs, exam findings, symptoms) that would make me want to investigate for a possible cancer recurrence. It is a privilege to provide comfort and support, during the end of life phase of cancer care.
What do you wish more people knew or understood about your profession? There are approximately 159,000 PAs in the U.S. We have 2,000 hours of clinical rotations. PA programs are 27 months or 3 academic years, after a bachelor's degree. PAs must pass a certification exam to start to practice medicine. To maintain the certification, PAs must complete 100 hours of continuing medical educations every 2 years and sit for a recertification exam every 10 years.
Jessica Wallis-Bhyravabotla, NP
Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Ashley Berka, NP
Why do patients come to see you? High risk OB
Why did you choose this career? I was an MFM patient myself, and truly developed a passion to help others the way I was
Most rewarding part of your job? Seeing new moms with their babies!
What do you wish more people knew or understood about your profession? How specialized and truly high risk it is
Monica Orji, NP
Kelly Pappas, NP
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Jasmin Barthel, PA
Kiley DeHaven, PA
Megan Lyght, PA
Why do patients come to see you? Patients come to Generations for infertility evaluation and management. I am generally seeing patients virtually for establish care visits and then in-person for further workup and procedure visits.
Why did you choose this career? I have always gravitated towards the women's health side of medicine and fertility has always been a fascinating field and when the opportunity arose I jumped at it.
Most rewarding part of your job? Getting to help and support patients through a difficult time in their life and hopefully be able to share in their joy when treatment succeeds.
What do you wish more people knew or understood about your profession? While infertility treatment has come a long way, it is still far from perfect and age is a big contributing factor to infertility.