Advanced Practice Providers Strengthen Patient Care at Silver Cross Hospital

Even as a young RN in 1983, Laura Scott, APRN, was interested in the more intensive role of a nurse practitioner.

She challenged herself throughout her nursing career to think through the diagnosis and treatment plan of a patient. She would, even as a new RN graduate, evaluate the symptomology and lab data to try to determine the diagnosis before reviewing the official diagnosis.

“I wouldn’t look at the admitting sheet saying what they were coming in for,” Scott said. “I looked at the patient, the symptoms and all other factors to come up with an educated guess. I was right a lot of times!”

For the past 12 years, Scott, APRN, has served as an Advanced Practice Provider (APP). She and more than 170 other APPs work in various areas of Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox.

Following specialized training and earning a master’s degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Scott works in primary care for Silver Cross Medical Group, as well as rounding in the hospital. She works with a physician in the hospital and provides nuanced care to ensure guidance-driven treatment and a safe and complete discharge plan.

“We do a lot of things for the patients that help bring the treatment plan together, whether it be adjusting medications, monitoring labs and providing detailed explanations and education to the patient and their families. We look at the patient, their home life and other factors that will impact their care during the hospital stay and their anticipated discharge home. APPs provide a holistic treatment plan.”

A Council all their Own

Scott was pleased and very honored, when Dr. Christopher Udovich, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer; Dr. Joseph Hindo, Medical Director of the Silver Cross Managed Care Organization; Dr. Silvio Morales, former Chief of the Silver Cross Medical Staff, and Dr. Daniel Co asked her to start up and chair the new Silver Cross Advanced Practice Provider Council.

She and some other APPs had been discussing ways to promote the specialized work they do. The council will help do that.

“It’s so nice to be acknowledged for my work,” she said. “The council is just coming together now; it’s a small group of APPs across several specialties. We’ve set our mission statement and are working on our priorities for issues that impact our practice and patient care with possible solutions.”

The council’s mission statement is, “Moving forward together, we aim to deliver unrivaled quality patient care in a collaborative environment while advancing the role of Advanced Practice Providers in healthcare.”

Scott decided that she would like a co-chair to assist in the development and ongoing work of the council so, she asked Kate Becker, APN, FNP-BC, ACNPC-AG, to serve with her. Kate was selected because Scott was aware of her excellent work and her ability to get things done. “Kate is a go-getter.”

Long ties to Silver Cross

Becker’s roots with Silver Cross go back to her birth. In 2012, she joined the hospital as an Intensive Care Unit RN in 2012, and since 2017, she’s a double board-certified Family Practice and Acute Care Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner. She is a part of a team that services Silver’s 30-bed intensive care unit, partnered with an intensivist physician. 

“As a critical care APP, we are even credentialed to perform procedures such as endotracheal intubation and central line placement.”

Training included a master’s degree from the University of St. Francis, as well as a post-master’s degree at the University of Pennsylvania for acute care. 

“The year 2020 was an unforgettable year taking care of the sickest of the sick ICU patients during the COVID pandemic, finishing a post-master’s degree alongside two of my NP colleagues during the heat of the pandemic. I also lost my husband suddenly at 40 to an undetected, genetic heart ailment. It was a devastating, life-changing time, but ultimately one which made us stronger providers.” 

Going through a tragic, unexpected loss allowed Becker to become a provider who helps guide patients and their families through the most difficult time in their lives – and one who empathizes with them as a person who has also been through unfathomable grief herself.  

“None of us APPS are the same as we were almost three years ago. We are so much stronger now and are really starting to practice to our fullest scope as APPs alongside our physicians and collaborative team colleagues.”