Wendy Owens Elliott

I come from a long line of nurses. Two sisters, along with a few more aunts and cousins, all became nurses. Being in a profession always appealed to me. \n My healthcare career began at a family clinic in Travelers Rest, South Carolina, where I worked as a file clerk and receptionist. While working there, I studied health science at Clemson University. My first job took me to Greensboro, North Carolina, where I worked for the Guilford County Coalition on Infant Mortality. I loved the work but wanted a more hands-on role. \n After working for 12 years as a registered nurse, I returned to school to become a nurse practitioner. Nurse practitioners are trained to not just look at a medical problem but to look at how outside influences - including social, economic and environmental factors - affect a patient's health. \n I practice patient-centered care through active listening and believe in the importance of patient education. The more a person understands about their condition, the more …likely they'll adhere to the recommended treatment. \n I see patients for everything from an annual physical to complex medical conditions, including HIV, diabetes, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, emphysema, asthma, cirrhosis and more. \n My goal is to deliver comprehensive care that's safe and effective. I treat patients the way I want to be treated. Every time I see a patient, I remind myself that the person in front of me is someone's daughter, son, parent or grandparent. \n I'm a member of Sigma Theta Tau (the international honor society for nurses) and certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners