5 minute read
AN EARLY CALLING
Sheila Driver
During the season when we are more aware of our blessings, it is a no-brainer to be thankful for quality medical care here in the High Country. Ashe County is no exception. We are fortunate to have skilled professionals as quality health care resources in our small town. Sheila Driver, a Board Certified Pediatric Nurse Practioner, offers special care to Ashe County folks from her office, Ashe Pediatrics, PLLC in downtown West Jefferson. Sheila is originally from a small town in Franklin County which is located in the eastern part of the state and neighbors Wake County where our state capital is situated. She was born the seventh of eight children and credits her professional compassion to the strong sense of family that she acquired when growing up. Undoubtedly, “being raised with seven brothers and sisters led me down a path of helping.” She recalls, as a young child, going to visit her sick grandma at the nursing home. Her grandma was blind but never failed to comment on Shelia’s hands. Her grandmother insisted, just by feeling Shelia’s hands, that her occupation should be that of a nurse. Although Sheila wanted to grow up and become a lawyer, her grandmother’s insight was a guiding force in her career choice. Sheila grew up alternating between churches. Her grandmother was of the Baptist faith, while her grandfather professed the Methodist faith. The way they made that work for the family was by alternating churches on Sundays. “That has made a lasting impression on me,” Sheila said, “because their faith mattered to them more than their denominational affiliation. It made me realize how important it is to have faith in God because that was a major part of what made them so strong.” Her grandparent’s example of faith is what inspired Sheila’s faith and it’s that faith which led her to embrace her career in medicine as a ministry. Prayer is a constant in her life as she ministers to patients as a health care provider. She loves the way the medical field has given her many opportunities to make a difference and help others. In the Bible, Jesus is often depicted as The Great Physician. Jesus made it his mission to reach out into a hurting world and offer healing and hope, especially to the impoverished and needy. He continues His mission today by utilizing His servants to offer hope to those who are spiritually ill, healing to those who are physically unhealthy, and comfort to those who are afflicted mentally and emotionally. In her role as a pediatric health care provider, Shelia can offer those same resources as an instrument in the hands of Jesus. Time and time again God allows Shelia and her staff at Ashe Pediatrics the opportunity to minister to children, adolescents, and their families. In Sheila’s world, every day brings different challenges and in knowing that, she begins each day at 5:30 a.m. with a swim. The exercise gives her the opportunity to practice self-care, but also time to take a stab at solving problems. Sheila Driver
Every new day consists of various challenges along with new opportunities. For example, Sheila recalled a time when she found herself counseling a grieving mother. She knew this mother was going to lose her child sometime in the near future and she had to help this mother and family face the inevitable tragedy of death. Whenever she’s had to do this she tries to help a family see that sometimes, death can be a blessing. Death is terrible, a no-win situation, and life will never be the same, but when patients have no quality of life, or a machine is the reason a heart is beating, that’s when the compassionate, honest help of a health care provider like Sheila is so vital.
Then there are the joys of being a part of saving a life! In the peak of our tourism season, a family was visiting the area. They literally walked in from off the street with their child in respiratory distress and luckily, the receptionist recognized the fragility of the situation. Sheila and her staff were able to administer breathing treatments as well as other lifesaving protocol to stabilize the patient while simultaneously reassuring the family. The entire staff was involved in the care of this young child and that is the definition of the type of team work that has been achieved there.
Sheila and her staff also encompass the idea that mental health is vitally important to physical health. By establishing relationships with her patients and their families, tough questions can be asked along with being able to share with her patients healthy perspectives on parenting. In this role, Sheila appreciates the opportunities she has to encourage parents to make positive choices, seek spiritual counsel, and promote community involvement in extra-curricular activities.
The staff at Ashe Pediatrics has a goal to make each and every patient feel special. Sheila declares that in the pediatric world, a practitioner is only as good as her toys. The environment is quite child friendly. Each exam room is theme oriented and has very little resemblance of the sterile exam rooms that are stereotypical of a visit to a health care professional. She provides her patients a toy for good behavior. If a patient’s behavior is not up to standard, then the incentive is offered to work towards two toys the next visit by exhibiting good behavior. She admits to having a cot in the back room to sleep in case winter weather might inhibit her safety going and or coming to the office.
Sheila is certain that every job she had prior to opening her practice in Ashe County has prepared her to care for her patients. She believes the work she does is so important. Even though she recognizes that she cannot make decisions for her patients, she can help guide them to a path to success. She hopes to instill in her patients healthy selfesteem and motivation to make good grades and do well in every aspect of their lives. ...
Written by Kim Furches with Sheila Driver
