Nurse practitioner Kathy Laird new hospitalist at Marshall Browning
Marshall Browning Hospital is pleased to welcome Kathy Laird, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner/Hospitalist to its staff.
Hospitalists specialize in caring for patients while they are hospitalized, providing around-the-clock care and working closely with nursing staff and each patient's primary physician.
"At Marshall Browning Hospital, hospitalists work with a team of physicians, nurses, pharmacist, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, dietitians, and other staff," said Edwin Gast, CEO. "We are excited to welcome Kathy to this team. Kathy will be a great asset to Marshall Browning Hospital. She is an experienced hospitalist and will work with our physician hospitalists to provide the continuity of care needed between the patients, their families, and their family physician. She is a resident of Pinckneyville and is already familiar with many of the patients and their families."
A hospitalist must organize the communication between different physician specialists (cardiology, pulmonology, oncology, etc.) caring for a patient by serving as the point of contact for primary care doctors and the hospital staff for questions, updates and maintaining a plan of care. They are also the main practitioner for family members to contact for updates on a loved one, or to express concerns about care. A hospitalist develops and coordinates a care plan tailored to each patient and their individual needs.
"I am happy to be back working in Perry County to provide quality care and educate the patients on the many healthcare services that are available to them right here at home. I understand the importance family has to our health and I am committed to involving family in health care decisions which is what makes the care provided at Marshall Browning so great. The physicians and staff at Marshall Browning Hospital are devoted to providing exceptional care to their patients and I am excited to be a part of this team."
Laird received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from McKendree University, a Master of Science in Nursing Education from McKendree University, and is a graduate of the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program from St. Louis University. She is Board Certified as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Prior to joining Marshall Browning Hospital, Laird worked as a hospitalist at Belleville Memorial Hospital. She brings 32 years of experience including ICU and ER experience as well as 10 years working for Prairie Cardiovascular Consultants in Carbondale.