23 Feb 2020 ‘Trust your gut’: APRNs land dream jobs in GI clinic
Brandy Eason, Lindsey Sierra, and Sarah Atkins are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who are a vital part of the team at Conway Regional Gastroenterology Center. They call themselves the “Ladies of GI.”
They work in a specialty that is led predominantly by men, working alongside gastroenterologists Dr. Martin Moix, Dr. O.T. Gordon and Dr. Owen Maat. They love what they do, and it shows.
“When you spend 40 percent of your life at work, you need to love what you do,” said Eason. “We have a good relationship with the physicians. We mutually respect each other’s opinions and work together closely.”
“I think it’s pretty amazing that they all chose to work here together,” said Moix, who founded the clinic. “In a specialty where men are predominant, they have a great story.”
Background
Brandy Eason earned her master of science degree in nursing (MSN) from the University of Central Arkansas in 2015. She has strong ties to Conway and Conway Regional Medical Center. She has been a part of the Conway Regional team since 2009, when she first started as a RN in the pediatric unit. She then worked in the fields of cardiology, orthopedics, medical surgical, interventional radiology, and on the PICC team.
“I knew I wanted to work with Dr. Moix when I decided to become a nurse practitioner. He was always a favorite among myself and the other nurses,” Eason said. “He was always calm, respectful and valued the opinions of others.”
Lindsey Sierra received her MSN from UCA in 2015 as well. She began working at Conway Regional during nursing school in 2006. After graduating with her RN, Sierra worked in the ICU at UAMS. After graduating with her MSN, Sierra worked for a private gastroenterology clinic for three years prior to coming to Conway Regional in 2019. “I knew I wanted to be a nurse since I was 16 and working in a nursing home,” said Sierra.
Sarah Atkins received her master’s degree in nursing from UAMS in 2019. She began her nursing career at Conway Regional as a nursing aide in 2014. Soon after receiving her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2015, she began her career in the Cardiac Step Down unit at Conway Regional. She then took the opportunity to work in the Conway Regional gastroenterology procedure lab, and later in the Ambulatory Surgery Department.
While working in the gastroenterology lab as an RN, she was motivated to earn her master’s degree in nursing and pursue a career in gastroenterology. “I knew I wanted to work alongside Dr. Moix,” Atkins said. “He is a wealth of knowledge, and I highly respected his intelligence, skill and patient-centered care. After graduating, I persistently pursued a job within Conway Regional and landed my dream job at Conway Regional Gastroenterology Center.”
Misconceptions
“I think it is a huge misconception that we only treat diseases of the lower GI tract,” said Eason. “We specialize in treating diseases of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, pancreas and gallbladder among various other conditions.”
The Ladies of GI also want the community to know that the physicians and APRNs alike offer comprehensive, high-quality gastrointestinal care locally. “You don’t have to travel to Little Rock to receive exceptional care.” Atkins said.
“Conway Regional has recently grown in terms of specialty services and offers quality care and management locally,” Sierra added.
Creating relationships
Eason, Sierra and Atkins feel that they have an advantage when it comes to female patients. “Women tend to be more comfortable sharing personal experiences with other females,” said Eason. They strive to make all patients feel comfortable since gastroenterology can sometimes involve sensitive topics.
They are in agreement that paying special attention to not only the physical complaints but also mental health is imperative, as stress can be a contributing factor for a multitude of gastrointestinal symptoms. They emphasize that treating the whole person is their mission. Listening to the patient’s story, building a trusting provider-patient relationship and creating a treatment plan together allows for better outcomes and patient satisfaction.
“I knew I wanted to work with Dr. Moix when I decided to become a nurse practitioner. He was always a favorite among myself and the other nurses. He was always calm, respectful and valued the opinions of others.”
Brandy Eason
They are enthusiastic about preventing disease; not just treating disease. “Preventative care is cheaper than curative care,” Sierra said, and this is reflected in the education they strive to provide to their patients. They offer preventative services such as screening or surveillance colonoscopies, fatty liver disease prevention and management, and EGD surveillance for Barrett’s esophagus, among many others.
“If you know something is not right with your gastrointestinal health, if you have a family history of colon cancer, or perhaps you don’t know your family history, you may need to see a GI specialist,” said Eason.
“This is particularly important for men, as they are less likely to take control of their health and wellness, according to recent statistics,” Sierra added. “As you can see, gut health is imperative.”
“A colonoscopy is one of the few tools that can be used for screening and prevention,” said Atkins.
Takeaway
The Ladies of GI are also passionate about preventative healthcare. Eason frequently tells her patients to “trust your gut. You know your body better than anyone else.”
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. If patients have concerns or acute changes regarding their gastrointestinal health, they should seek medical advice. Primary healthcare providers will make a GI referral when necessary.
