PINEHURST — FirstHealth Palliative Care recently welcomed adult geriatric nurse practitioner Laurie Klimczyk to the team.
Klimczyk joins a dedicated team of palliative medicine certified physicians, nurses, social workers and patient representatives at FirstHealth Palliative Care. Patients with a chronic or serious illness including cancer, heart disease, lung disease, stroke, kidney disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and more can be cared for by the palliative care team.
Klimczyk earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina Greensboro, a Master of Science in Nursing Education from Grand Canyon University and a Post Master’s Certificate as an Adult Geriatric Nurse Practitioner from Daeman College in 2014.
Klimczyk has worked in health care since 1995 and said she was inspired to pursue health care after losing her parents.
“My parents were both in Hospice care for cancer at the same time, passing away only three weeks apart. Although I was 1,200 miles away, I made visits to spend time with them and was introduced to Hospice services. Despite not having any health care experience, I was seeking an alternative career path. Because of my experience, I spoke with two friends who were nurses, and they spoke highly of their careers,” Klimczyk said.
“I left my previous job and started nursing school in 1995. I have no regrets. I have worked in many specialties over the years, but when I was choosing nurse practitioner programs, I knew I wanted to specialize in adults and geriatrics.”
Along with the rest of the Palliative Care team, Klimczyk will work to help relieve suffering and improve quality of life for patients and families affected by serious illness. Palliative care is offered along with all other appropriate medical treatments. The focus is on the needs of the patient whether those needs concern pain and symptom control, counseling, spiritual needs or coordinating links to other community services.
FirstHealth palliative care services are offered in the hospital, in outpatient clinics at 305 Page Road in Pinehurst and 921 S. Long Drive in Rockingham and in select skilled nursing or assisted living facilities.
Patients or family members may request a referral to FirstHealth Palliative Care by calling (910) 715-6000. For more information on FirstHealth Hospice and Palliative Care, visit www.firsthealth.org/hospice.
