About Alyssa Goncalves It was during a volunteer service project with AmeriCorp after college that Alyssa Goncalves, NP, discovered that nursing was the path for her. She served at a subacute medical facility for houseless men in Washington, DC, that was run by a group of compassionate and talented nursing professionals. “I had never considered nursing, but being a part... Read More about Alyssa Goncalves, NP

Sarah Geyer, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, joined the US Air Force after high school, and worked as a Mental Health Technician in Germany for four years. She saw the work that the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners did, and decided to continue her education to become a PMHNP. Sarah graduated from the Community College of the Air Force in Montgomery, Alabama,... Read More about Sarah Geyer, NP - Beacon Medical Group Behavioral Health South Bend

About Kristyn Beaver The decision to be in the health care field was made early on for Kristyn Beaver, NP. “My mom was in nursing school and graduated the same year I graduated high school. I entered my ADN (Associate Degree of Nursing) program the next fall,” she says. “Being a nurse is part of who I am. I’ve been... Read More about Kristyn Beaver, NP - Beacon Medical Group E. Blair Warner

About Sheryl Vinci The desire to pursue a career in medicine/nursing, was clear to Sheryl Vinci, PMHNP, due to a personal experience with being sick when she was younger. “I knew that I wanted to help people like I had been helped,” she says. Her nursing career began after she graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Carlow... Read More about Sheryl Vinci, NP - Beacon Medical Group Behavioral Health South Bend

About Jamie Henderson, PMHNP After working in various psychiatry-related roles for more than 10 years – from mental health technician to mental health nurse to psychiatric clinical instructor – Jamie Henderson, PMHNP, has professional experience as an RN in psychiatric care in a hospital, in-patient rehabilitation settings and as a psychiatric clinical instructor at St. Mary’s College. Of her experiences... Read More about Jamie Henderson, NP - Beacon Medical Group Behavioral Health South Bend

About Emily Milliken A Health Careers program at Edwardsburg High School gave Emily Milliken, NP-C, the opportunity to job shadow health professionals and discover an interest in nursing. She graduated from University of Michigan with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and went to work as a surgical intensive care unit nurse. “I found my passion for patient education... Read More about Emily Milliken, NP - Beacon Bone & Joint Specialists Navarre

About Marcy Floyd Educated at Goshen College, Goshen, IN, Marcy Floyd, FNP, decided on a medical career shortly after high school. During her years in the field, she has worked in Ortho-Neuro units, inpatient rehabilitation and in long-term care. With nearly two decades of experience on the orthopedic floor, she says, “It is something that I am comfortable with and... Read More about Marcy Floyd, NP - Beacon Bone & Joint Specialists Navarre

About Devin Kinney Devin Kinney, NP, had what she says most people would consider a pretty awesome job after graduating from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Management degree. But after working a few years, she felt she was missing something that would never be fulfilled with her business degree. “As the oldest of four kids, I have... Read More about Devin Kinney, NP - Beacon Medical Group Cleveland Road

About Sara Mahoney At age 17, Sara Mahoney worked in a nursing home. This experience secured her decision to pursue a career in medicine. More than two decades ago, she took a job at Memorial Hospital of South Bend, where she worked as a patient care assistant. “Beacon has always felt like family to me,” she says.” Over the years,... Read More about Sara Mahoney, NP - Beacon Medical Group Behavioral Health South Bend

About Stephanie Fischer For Stephanie Fischer, becoming a Nurse Practitioner was something she always anticipated. “I knew since I was a child that I always wanted to help people,” she says. Stephanie chose the field of cardiology, because she had a fascination with the heart. In fact, ever since earning her undergraduate degree from IU South Bend, she has worked... Read More about Stephanie Fischer, NP - Beacon Medical Group Interventional Radiology and Vascular Specialists

About Tami Fuller Tami Fuller fell in love with the idea of a career in medicine because of an inspiring high school chemistry and anatomy teacher. When she was young, she also had the experience of caring for her grandmother who had polio. “I loved helping her and knew I was destined to be a nurse or health care provider,”... Read More about Tamara Fuller, NP - Beacon Medical Group North Central Neurosurgery South Bend

About Rebecca Tarwacki An important lesson Rebecca Tarwacki learned on her path to becoming a family nurse practitioner is that each patient is unique and the care she provides must reflect that. Her approach to practicing medicine is to strive to do her best as a provider. “I always knew I wanted a career where I could help others. A... Read More about Rebecca Tarwacki, NP - Beacon Medical Group Pulmonology and Critical Care South Bend

About Catherine Walker When Catherine Walker sees a patient, she really listens to what they have to say. “I treat their physical conditions, but I also provide an empathetic ear and truly try to help them with whatever concern they have,” she says. This approach to care could be due to her coming from a long line of nurses –... Read More about Catherine Walker, NP - Beacon Medical Group Pulmonology and Critical Care South Bend

About Emilee Tehrani From a very young age, Emilee Tehrani was interested in medicine. “I knew I wanted to help people,” she said. “I strive to be an active listener who will provide you with a treatment plan that we will both be happy with.” Emilee earned her undergraduate degree at IU South Bend and her master’s work was completed... Read More about Emilee Tehrani, NP - Beacon Medical Group Pulmonology and Critical Care South Bend

About Shelby Patterson Ever since she was a young child, Shelby Patterson dreamed of becoming a nurse practitioner. After witnessing the care her grandmother received from a NP after heart surgery, she knew this was her life’s calling. “I was always fascinated with the human body and learning what all we could do! I’ve always been a nurturer so nursing... Read More about Shelby Patterson, NP - Beacon Medical Group Ireland Road

About Haley Haley Bywaters knew at an early age that she wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. Her inspiration came from her mother who was a nurse in a neonatal intensive care unit. “I watched how thankful parents were for everything she did to help their baby,” Haley says. Haley’s sister is also a nurse in a NICU.... Read More about Haley Bywaters, NP - Beacon Medical Group Oncology South Bend

Ashley Saia decided on a career in medicine when she was a senior in high school. "I was taking college classes at the time and randomly decided to take a medical terminology class," she explains. "Not only did I love the class, but I became very interested in medicine. From that point on, I never wanted to major in anything... Read More about Ashley Saia, NP - Beacon Medical Group ENT and Audiology South Bend

About Jacqueline Mental health experts are a vital part of health care – because mental wellness affects physical health, too.  But stigmas surrounding mental health make it difficult for many people to seek care. Jacqueline Albiez, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, understands this firsthand. “Mental health has always fascinated me,” she says. “I saw an underserved population with a harsh stigma.... Read More about Jacqueline Albiez-Dobransky, NP - Beacon Medical Group Behavioral Health South Bend

About Amanda Doeden Nurse Practitioner Amanda Doeden’s approach to care stems from her belief that everyone is a valuable asset to the community. “My philosophy is to provide holistic comprehensive care to all patients and families regardless of their economic status, gender, lifestyle, beliefs, or ethnicity,” she says. Her decision to pursue nursing came in her first year of college,... Read More about Amanda Doeden, NP - Beacon Bone & Joint Specialists Navarre