Patricia Dugan, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

Patricia Dugan, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, Cardiac Nurse Practitioner at Palestine Regional Medical Center, took her path toward a career in healthcare like so many others in the field ? through the care and guidance of their family. Set on pursuing her college education, Patricia was having a hard time deciding on a career path ? until her aunt, a registered nurse from Palestine, encouraged her to go into nursing. Seeing her aunt?s career filled with compassion and caring, Patricia soon discovered she shared the same love of helping and caring for people. As a nurse, it wasn?t a very long journey into heart care for Patricia. She describes working in Cardiology as having the privilege of protecting the very core of life ? the heart ? and says it literally has "heart" at the center. Even as a little girl she was fascinated by how the heart operated. ?As a matter of fact,? she remembers. ?One Christmas I asked Santa for a pumping heart I saw in a catalog ? I think my specialty chose me. ?When I help someone restore their heart health, I am giving them more time, more energy, and more moments with the people they love. The heart connects every part of the body, but it also connects us as human beings,? says Duga. ?I get to combine science with personal care, and I am reminded that what I do directly impacts the quality and length of someone's life.? Dugan weaves the two threads of advanced heart care and personal connection into her practice every day, looking for a deeply personal patient-provider relationship with individualized care. She wants to build a ?tailored, compassionate care that goes beyond treating heart conditions.? That level is care is based on Dugan?s continually striving to grow in her skills and knowledge, education, and training. ?I want to help my patients improve their health through treatment, but also by prevention, education, and encouragement,? she says. ?Health isn't a one-time fix; it is a partnership. For me, that means a genuine connection, trust, and offering a real presence in our community. I take time to listen to my patients and get to know them, not just their medical chart.? Dugan received her bachelor?s degree in nursing from the University of Texas at Tyler before continuing to graduate school at Texas A&M University College Station. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with my family, crocheting, gardening, sports, and anything that has to do with water during the summer.