FOCUS ON FAMILY

Continuum Family Care's new nurse practitioner accepting new patients

MARYVILLE, Mo. — Continuum Family Care is so focused on caring for its patients that it added a new health care provider in February.

Certified Family Nurse Practitioner Hillary Contreras, joined the staff at Continuum in February and has really enjoyed the transition from work comp nurse practitioner to primary care nurse practitioner.

“It just wasn’t fulfilling me,” she said. “I wasn’t getting what I needed.”

From the northwest Missouri area, Contreras worked as a pediatric nurse for more than 10 years in St. Joseph and at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City while she went to ADN school and performed her clinical at SSM Health.

Since joining the Continuum staff, she sees all ages of people from birth to death and it is fulfilling her need to help people.

“(It’s) a great family atmosphere,” she said, noting that not only is her new work environment very welcoming, but also the patients and community.

“Living and working in rural Missouri has allowed me to understand the unique challenges that individuals and families face in obtaining quality health care services,” Contreras said in a statement in February. “As a health care provider, I am committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care to patients of all ages, from children to seniors.”

Contreras holds a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in family medicine from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and, before that, obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and graduate studies at Missouri Western State University. She is licensed in the state of Missouri and is a member of the Association of Missouri Nurse Practitioners and the American Nurses Association.

Contreras works alongside Dr. Chip Fillingane to provide comprehensive and compassionate care to patients, according to a February news release. Some of the services she provides include wellness exams, sick visits, chronic disease management and mental health support. She can also provide preventive care, such as vaccinations and health screenings. For added convenience, she also offers virtual visits.

“We encompass the whole person,” Contreras said, noting that they provide compassionate care and good communication with their patients.

They can handle quite a bit in the of- fice, but they have resources they can contact as well to make sure they’re providing the best care for patients.

Contreras is accepting new patients.

Continuum is located at 2336 S. Main St. in Maryville. to make an appointment call 660-220-2123. For more information visit continuumfamily.care.com.