Catherine Lightfoot, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

When I was 19 years old, I endured the loss of my mother due to cancer. The care she received from the nurses, doctors and nurse practitioners led me to become a nurse practitioner. I vowed to provide the same exemplary care to my patients as she was shown during that time. I like to abide by the patient and family-centered approach to patient care. I believe providing patients and families with the information they need to make educated decisions will lead to more favorable outcomes. There are many disease processes managed in primary care that can be difficult to understand. Preventive care, diabetes, hypertension and heart failure can all seem daunting diagnoses. I am passionate in educating patients, ensuring clear communication and hold myself partially accountable for their outcome. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband and stepson. I particularly enjoy reading and being at the lake with my family.

I chose to become a family nurse practitioner to learn about the spectrum of disease and wellness and how that affects our quality of life. I believe in educating and empowering my patients so they can take control of their health and become their best self. My areas of special interest include health promotion and wellness. Outside of work, I love to spend time with my husband and children. We raise and show quarter horses and maintain a small family farm. I also spend a large amount of time supporting our children's high school athletics association fund raising and attending their sporting events.

During my time spent working as a nurse, I saw the important role that primary care and prevention play in improving long-term health outcomes, which inspired me to become a nurse practitioner. I’m passionate about empowering patients through patient-centered care, shared decision making, early intervention, and ongoing support. My approach to patient care is one that is collaborative. I believe the best health outcomes result from a collaborative approach between the patient and the provider. When I am not at work, I enjoy running, spending time with my family, and cheering on my Michigan Wolverines.