New geriatric nurse practitioner really respects her elders. That’s why she loves working in geriatrics.
“I enjoy the stories I hear”, said Dawn Fiedler, APRN. “Many of them grew up during the Depression, they celebrate and don’t complain. They deserve our respect and the best care we can give them.”
Dawn comes to CCMH from Lincoln, Nebraska, where she graduated from the Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
She began her career as a registered nurse, and worked in the Geriatric Medical Unit at Bryan Medical Center for 17 years before becoming an Advanced Practice Nurse.
“My first job was in a TCU (Transitional Care Unit), where I took care of mostly orthopedic patients at the beginning”, said Dawn. “Then we began to see dialysis patients, chronic illness, and COPD, and all mostly elderly.”
The chance to have a broader base of practice drew Dawn to Gillette and CCMH.
She will be seeing long term care residents at Pioneer Manor and working in Campbell County Clinics, Geriatric Medicine alongside
Dr. Bernadette Meade. She appreciates the opportunity to work with and learn from a geriatrician like Dr. Meade.
“As the population ages, it’s even more important to have access to a geriatrician”, said Dawn. “For example, someone who specializes in elder care can help determine if a memory problem may be the result of medication or if there’s something wrong with the brain”.
Dawn was a 4-H leader in Nebraska for the last seven years, and enjoys crafting, crochet and cross stitch, and her 9-year old Sheltie named Abby. She wants to spend her first summer exploring Wyoming.
“The employees and patients have all been wonderful”, said Dawn. “They have the same Midwest values and attitudes that I came from.”