Grande Ronde Hospital | Life & Health | Spring 2018

A JOURNAL DEVOTED TO HEALTHFUL LIVING SPRING 2018 Please help us welcome Casey Nichols, MSN, ARNP, FNP-BC, DCNP, to La Grande. Nichols comes from Orlando, Florida, where she has had a successful career with the Mid-Florida Dermatology Associates as a dermatology nurse practitioner since 2007. Originally from the St. Louis area and later Chicago, Nichols settled in Florida in 2001 to work in the dermatology field as a registered nurse while working to obtain licensure and certification as an advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) and as a family nurse practitioner (FNP-C), which she did in 2006. In 2013 she obtained her second board certification as a dermatology certified nurse practitioner (DCNP). Nichols is excited to bring dermatology services to La Grande. She is looking forward to building lasting relationships with patients. “It is a really great and unique oppor- tunity to open a new clinic in the area,” Nichols says. “To be able to establish a connection with my patients and see the immediate effect of that is something that I have missed.” After 17 years in Florida, Nichols was open to the chance to explore a different part of the country. “I have friends in Portland, so when the opportunity at Grande Ronde Hospital opened up, I decided to come and see what this part of the country was like,” Nichols says. She was immediately drawn to the Grande Ronde Valley’s beautiful outdoor opportunities, particularly since hiking and biking are two of her favorite hobbies. Nichols also fell in love with the small- town vibe and local atmosphere. She found the broader sense of community she encountered appealing. Nichols spent time at Grande Ronde Hospital—part of the recruitment process for providers with serious employment potential within the organization. It was this experience that helped her commit to the cross-country relocation. “The site visit sealed the deal for me,” she says. “Everyone was so kind. And I really appreciated the great sense of teamwork I witnessed while visiting.” Nichols is settling into her new surroundings, meeting new people and making friends. She began seeing patients in April and is already busy with a growing practice. If you see her out and about this spring, please give her a warm Eastern Oregon welcome. Dermatology services available now in La Grande What services will be offered? Dermatological services ●   ● Mole checks ●   ● Rash diagnosis ●   ● Treatments for skin conditions, such as rosacea, eczema and acne ●   ● Skin cancer screenings and treatment Dermatological procedures ●   ● Wart removal ●   ● Lesion removal ●   ● Biopsies Cosmetic services ●   ● Kybella ●   ● Fillers ●   ● Botox Find more on Casey Nichols and the clinic on page 4 or online at grh.org/dermatology .