Cabinet Peaks Medical Center has a new hospitalist.

Before beginning her work at Cabinet Peaks, Laura L. Wharton worked as a nurse practitioner in the emergency department at Schumacher Clinical Partners in Lafayette, Louisiana and at Abilene Regional Medical Center in Abilene, Texas, according to a news release from the hospital.

Wharton is quoted in the release as believing in preventative medicine: “My approach to patient care provides a holistic model to maximize positive outcomes. I believe that patient education is a key component to prevention and wellness.”

Wharton’s husband is a helicopter pilot who often works overseas, and together they have a 9 year old son.

When asked what drew her to the area, the release states that she replied, “I like the small town feel, friendly people and staff, and the challenge of rural medicine. We wanted to raise our son like we were raised – with all four seasons and the opportunities that gives – and be closer to our family on Vancouver Island.”

Wharton first became a registered nurse in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1987, according to the press release.

She went on to earn an associate’s degree in critical care nursing in 1993, and her Bachelor of Science in specialty nurse (critical care/emergency) in 2002, both also in Vancouver. She also earned a Master of Science in nursing as a family nurse practitioner from Walden University in Baltimore, Maryland in 2015.

Wharton holds certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Pre-Hospital Neonatal Resuscitation Provider, Trauma Nurse Core Curriculum, Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course, Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support, Emergency Nursing, and Advanced Trauma Life Support, the press release states.

The press release quotes Bruce Whitfield, Cabinet Peaks CEO as stating, “We are excited that Laura has decided to join our team of outstanding hospitalists. She is a welcome addition to our Acute Care Floor.”

Cabinet Peaks Medical Center began using hospitalists on the patient floor in 2016, according to the release.

A hospitalist specializes in the care of acutely ill patients or those who have been admitted to the hospital.

Hospitalists focus only on patients admitted to the hospital inpatient unit and do not see patients in an outpatient setting.

The hospitalist on staff leads the care team, and may consult with a patient’s primary care physician from time to time.