Julie Paston, NP

About Julie Paston A career in medicine was clear to Julie Paston when, in 1998, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She says being a science nerd along with a true passion to help others, coupled with her mother's cancer plight, helped determine her career trajectory. As a nurse practitioner, Julie specializes in gastroenterology, which allows her to incorporate what she learned in primary care with the extra advantage of devoting focus on a specific body system. “As the amount of colon cancers, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases of the GI system continue to radically increase, devoting myself to a more concentrated area of medicine facilitates expertise in the care and management of such GI states,” she says. In her role, she engages in listening, a physical examination and diagnostic testing to identify potential GI disorders. She provides disease/disorder education, reviews treatment plan options, initiates treatment plans, establishes short- and long-term health goals, and facilitates subspecialty referrals. “I ensure patients and their families have access to resources necessary to pursue optimal health and wellbeing,” Julie states. With a genuine desire to teach, care and make a difference in the lives of her patients, Julie says she listens intently and with respect to each individual. “Fear, pain and uncertainty can be overwhelming and damaging to one's spirit,” she says. “It is imperative that as a provider, one is cognizant of the emotional toll facilitated by injury or disease.” In her own words… Who is or was the most influential people/role models in your life? My parents taught me and my two sisters the importance of being your true self, fighting for what you believe in, the difference that even the simplest acts of kindness can make, loving God, having a sense of humor and being thankful for the opportunities and gifts throughout life's journey you've been given. What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? Corn detasseling. Marathon walking at 4:00 a.m., through sharp, wet corn and by noon frying like an egg in 100-degree weather only to entice jumbo mosquitos to feast upon my sweaty, cut up, itchy flesh. The tan was killer though (at 13 years old I wasn't cognizant of the danger of skin cancer). What is your favorite food? Movie? Favorite foods: Lobster, sushi, and DeBrand dark chocolate. Favorite movies: Forest Gump, and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby What was your best/worst subjects in school growing up? I loved all sciences and loathed calculus. If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why? Ludwig van Beethoven, to talk to the genius who composed the most exquisite Sonata quasi una Fantasia/Moonlight sonata. In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? What are your hobbies, interests? Staying fit and challenging myself to try new things foods, cultures, activities...skydiving will not happen though! What is something most people don’t know about you? I am a closet, self-taught bakery chef. I enjoy making beautiful and delicious cheesecakes and other pastries. It is exceedingly satisfying to create ornate pulled sugar and chocolate garnishes to make desserts look like pieces of fine art. Also, I love dry humor; I'm especially fond of bad dad jokes.