Meet the NURSE PRACTITIONERS

What is a Nurse Practitioner and what can they do?

A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse who has completed advanced education (minimum of a master’s degree) and training in a specialty area such as family practice or pediatrics. NPs are trained in the diagnosis and management of common medical conditions, including chronic illnesses. NPs provide much of the same care provided by physicians and usually maintain close working relationships with physicians.

The core philosophy of the field is individualized care. NPs focus on patients’ conditions as well as the effects of illness on the lives of the patients and their families. NPs make prevention, wellness, and patient education priorities. Informing patients about their health care and encouraging them to participate in decisions are central to the care provided by NPs. Working with pediatricians and other health care providers, NPs have been enhancing the health care of children for over thirty years.

For more information about NPs, visit www.napnap.org, http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/system/doctor/nurse_practitioner.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nurse_practitioner

Kristie Wilson, CPNP

• Joined Treehouse Pediatrics: September 2006.
• Education: I earned my Master’s of Science degree in Nursing at the University of Texas at Austin. I am certified as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and have also been trained in Dr. T. Berry Brazelton’s Touchpoint Technique. I am currently working on becoming certified as a Lactation Consultant.
• Family: My husband Les and I have two wonderful boys, Taylor (12) and Kyle (1).
• Hobbies and Interests: I love gardening, baking, and spending time with my family.

Jen Tiller, CPNP

Joined Treehouse Pediatrics: August 2007.

Jen is thrilled to be a part of the "Treehouse Team". She considers it an honor to care for children and their families and takes pride in providing expert, compassionate pediatric care. The cornerstone of her practice is forming partnerships with children, parents, staff and other providers so that she can provide the highest quality of medical care. Jen is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Texas School of Nursing and completed her Master of Science in Nursing with the highest honors from the University of Texas Medical School Branch at Galveston, where she was honored with the Putnam Leadership in Clinical Excellence Award and was elected Outstanding Master's Graduate by her peers. She is a published author in pediatric primary care and is a frequent presenter at local and national meetings. She also serves as an adjunct lecturer for the University of Texas School of Nursing Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program.

Additionally, Jen serves as the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner for a pediatric otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat) practice in Austin, where she has been employed for over ten years and brings that expertise to Treehouse. Her other special interests are pediatric infectious disease, hearing loss and speech and language development, and pediatric injuries and trauma. Jen is also a volunteer with Ready Texas Nurses, the emergency response nursing division of the Governor's office, where she assists with the medical care and evacuation of children in disaster areas. She and her husband, Scott, enjoy water sports, boating, travel, and spending time with family.