A graduate of Walden University, Heather is a passionate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who feels deeply connected to rural behavioral health care. After spending years working in public health departments, women’s health, and rural school-based health centers, she’s developed a unique understanding of the challenges faced by underserved communities. Her approach is about meeting patients where they are—respecting their goals, values, and lifestyles to create personalized care plans that work for them. Believing in the power of education, Heather aims to help patients better understand their mental health, so they feel empowered to take control of their well-being. Dedicated to restoring hope, she treats the whole person, not just the diagnosis. Heather is excited to be a part of the RNHI Fellowship to build on her skills and knowledge, driven by a deep desire to support the mental health needs of rural communities.

After working as an RN in Okanogan County for the past ten years, Amanda was inspired to improve access and quality of behavioral health care within the region. She attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington and completed her Masters of Science in Nursing to become a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Amanda is passionate about continuing to bring high quality whole person care to the rural area where she has lived for the past 20 years, working to empower patients on their own unique healthcare journey. Amanda is excited to be a part of the RNHI Fellowship and looks forward to continuing to broaden her skills and scope of practice in order to better serve patients in this unique rural setting. In her spare time, Amanda enjoys being outdoors hiking and camping with her family and exploring all of the natural wonders the area has to offer.

A graduate of Seattle University’s DNP program, Lisa was first exposed to healthcare as an undergraduate student at the UW with a non-profit organization called Vietnam Health Clinic, whose mission was to provide care to under-resourced areas of rural Vietnam. This experience truly ignited her “why” and her desire to serve others and her community. As a registered nurse, she has worked inpatient and provided care to those with HIV/AIDs along with other chronic diseases, outpatient neurology, as well as urgent care. In addition to completing an enriching rural rotation in Wolf Point, Montana, Lisa pursued the UW Premera Fellowship at Harbor Regional Health because she strongly believes in the importance of increasing access to culturally-competent care by promoting health equity, and that professional development for post-graduate nurse practitioners is an invaluable opportunity. Beyond work, Lisa enjoys exploring new coffee shops, running, and doing all things outdoors with her friends, family, and mini australian shepherd Arrow.

A graduate of Seattle University, Yizhi gained experience as an RN in med-surg, acute care, urgent care, and long-term care. Growing up in a small town and completing a clinical rotation at a Federally Qualified Health Center deepened her understanding of the importance of providing equitable healthcare in underserved areas. She chose the UW Premera RNHI fellowship because she believes it offers an excellent opportunity to bridge the transition from student to competent provider, while also allowing her to immerse herself in a rural community and address the unique healthcare challenges faced by rural populations. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest, taking road trips, and spending time with family, friends, and her cat.

A graduate of Seattle University,

A graduate of Gonzaga University, Amber brings 13 years of diverse nursing experience to her new role as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She has previously worked as a Registered Nurse in hospice, the operating room, cardiovascular/progressive care, and public health. Having grown up in rural Missouri, Amber has always felt a strong connection to rural populations and is passionate about promoting social equity in healthcare. She chose the Rural Health Fellowship at Shifa Health to pursue her commitment to serving these communities. Amber feels privileged to begin her career in Skagit Valley, where she enjoys the challenges and rewards of rural healthcare. She values the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those in underserved areas through collaboration and empowerment of the individual. In her free time, Amber enjoys a hot yoga class, barbecuing, and being a dog mom to her two pugs who also enjoy a good barbecue.

A Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a passion for client-centered care, Joe spent six years as a medical surgical nurse before finding his way to an inpatient psychiatric unit, where he finally found his people. He graduated from Gonzaga’s nurse practitioner program with the goal of having his own panel of patients he could follow long-term (and keep out of the hospital). He pursued a position with the Premera Rural Nursing Health Initiative because he grew up in rural Vermont and still considers himself a country kid, even though he lives in Bellingham now. He chose Shifa Health in Mount Vernon after a transformative practicum experience at the clinic during his last year of nurse practitioner school. When he is not catching up on chart notes, he is hanging out with his wife, his 9-month-old baby boy, and his first born son (a 27-lb Mexican street dog named Captain). Before the baby came around, he spent a great deal of time fly fishing, camping, skiing, and mountain biking.

A graduate of Simmons University…

After a rich 20-year career in nursing, Jessica decided to answer the call for more nurse practitioners in rural locations. She graduated from the University of Washington with her DNP-FNP. Jessica believes in meeting patients where they are and helping to optimize wellness based on patient priorities and needs. After spending time working in acute and tertiary care environments, she feels compelled to work toward strengthening community foundations in primary care. When she is not working, Jessica enjoys traveling, dancing, and playing outside in the beautiful Washington wilderness with her husband and children.