Christina Marie Dodge

Ever since I was tiny - very tiny - I have had a huge passion for health care and health care providers. I was born prematurely and grew up understanding that all of the medical professionals who cared for me in those first precarious weeks truly saved my life. Knowing what they did for a small baby requiring high levels of oxygen for months drove both my interest in medicine and my respect for those who dedicate their careers to serving others in the medical field. I knew I would be honored if I could provide similar care. \n As a certified family nurse practitioner, I have the privilege of serving patients of all ages with a wide variety of ailments. I have worked in oncology and as a hospitalist, allowing me to be part of the healing process and to provide comfort when healing was not possible. Those roles also showed me the importance of being an advocate for each patient, ensuring that patient preferences are considered during every step of care. \n I take a holistic approach to …medical care; while I work to use medication and technology to provide the highest level of care possible, I believe the foundation of caring for ourselves is eating healthy, staying active, managing stress and having the support of a community. These things can help prevent disease and achieve health goals. This can reduce the need for medication and other interventions, and lead to a higher quality of life. \n When I am not working or volunteering at a local community clinic serving those unable to afford medical care, I love spending time with my husband. We enjoy traveling, and we are both huge animal lovers. Another shared passion is Corvettes; we are members of a local Corvette club, where we get to participate in social events as well as work with other club members to support a number of local charities. I stay active by lifting weights and doing yoga, and also enjoy cooking for family and friends.