We end our series of honoring our committed and dedicated nurse practitioners this month with Phyllis Willis, one of CHAP’s valued Itinerant Providers who also serves as the Interim Well Child and Immunization Coordinator, as she shares her story with us: 

I served in the US Army as an Air Traffic Controller. When my oldest son was born, I decided to leave the Army and pursue other career interests. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do at that point. However, when my son was hospitalized with pneumonia, the nurses that cared for him impressed me with their knowledge and with the quality of care they provided for my son that I decided to pursue a nursing career. 

After nursing school, I worked as a Registered Nurse in a variety of settings: intensive care, home health, oncology, hospice, case management, etc. I was working in hospice visiting a patient in the nursing home when I met a Nurse Practitioner there. I enjoyed talking with her and learning about her job. Shortly thereafter, I applied to Family Nurse Practitioner school and was accepted. After graduating and passing my Nurse Practitioner exams, I worked in an Internal Medicine clinic for several years, then a small rural clinic for a couple of years, then as a hospitalist. 

I enjoyed all of these jobs, but longed for something more fulfilling. A friend of mine asked me if I would ever be willing to move to and work in Alaska – something that she was considering. I began looking into it and found YKHC. The job looked appealing and presented what I felt I had been missing out on with my other NP jobs. I would be providing care to an underserved population and making a difference.

I moved to Alaska where I worked at the Emmonak Sub-regional Clinic. I loved meeting and serving the people of Emmonak and the surrounding villages. After a couple of years there, I moved to Bethel to join the itinerant program where I travel to many villages providing care. I enjoy working with the various Health Aides and clinic staff members as well as the Supervisor Instructors. I also serve in the immunization department, which provides a great service to the YK Delta. 

Moving to Alaska and working for and with the wonderful people of the YK Delta has been the most fulfilling job I have ever had.