Brittany Howe, APRN, CFNP
Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to introduce Pre-operative Nurse Practitioner Brittany Howe, who began working in a new position in early June.
Howe meets with patients scheduled for surgery, performing history and physicals, while working closely with anesthesia, surgeons, and primary care providers to make sure all necessary testing is completed and followed up on prior to a patient’s scheduled surgical procedure.
Chief Operating Officer Cindi Baker explains: “This new position is designed to optimize the health and safety of each patient prior to surgery, leading to reduced surgery cancellation rates, better patient outcomes, and increased patient satisfaction. This position also supports our commitment to enhancing access to care as it will not only create more access for pre-operative exams but will also free up availability within primary care.”
Howe began her career as a licensed practical nurse, providing in-home nursing care to young children with complex medical conditions for three years. She went on to become a registered nurse, working in the surgical departments for Riverwood Healthcare Center and Cuyuna Regional Medical Center for a combined 11 years. During four years at Riverwood’s hospital, she spent two years as a post anesthesia care unit supervisor. She also has experience in medical/surgical and chemotherapy/infusion nursing.
In describing her personal approach to medical care, Howe comments, “My philosophy in life and at work, is to treat and care for others in the manner I would want for myself. I treat every patient I care for with kindness and compassion; I thoughtfully listen to everything they tell me, so I’m able to offer them the most holistic care possible.”
Howe graduated from Ely Memorial High, then went on to earn a Licensed Practical Nurse diploma at Central Lakes College in Brainerd. She completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at Bemidji State University, then a Master of Science degree in Nursing at the University of South Alabama.
Howe is certified as a nurse practitioner through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and dually certified through the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses as a certified perianesthesia nurse and a certified ambulatory perianesthesia nurse.
Away from work, Howe spends most of her time with her husband, Eric, and their blended family. She has a son, Rustin, and daughter, Miley, and two stepsons, Easton and Emmett. Completing the household is Maggie, a bird-dog mutt. Her hobbies include lake recreational activities, gardening, house/yard projects, going for walks, snowmobiling, reading, creating art with oil pastels, and traveling.