Prezioso, Linda

Ever since I was a kid I have wanted to be a doctor. When I grew up and saw how much my grandfather suffered with Parkinson’s disease and my great-grandmother with her chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it cemented my desire even further. I am passionate about providing compassionate, patient-centered care that prioritizes each individual’s unique needs and goals. With a focus on fostering strong patient relationships, I strive to create a supportive environment where open communication and shared decision-making are at the heart of care. I believe in using evidence-based approaches to ensure the best outcomes and am committed to helping patients achieve optimal health and well-being. Fluent in both English and Spanish, I take pride in connecting with patients from diverse backgrounds to deliver personalized and empathetic care. When I am not at work, I cherish spending time with my family, whether it’s enjoying home-cooked meals together or traveling. I also enjoy Kyokushin karate, kickboxing, CrossFit, cooking and reading.

Throughout my years as a nurse and nurse practitioner, I have seen many people be afraid of end-of-life discussions. I joined the Nash Hospice and Palliative Care team because I feel strongly about improving my patient’s control over decisions that impact quality of life. I love being part of a team that treats each patient as their own family, focusing on supporting patients and loved ones in their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Hospice is not considered giving up, but rather shifting the focus to treatment of manageable symptoms in a terminal illness, such as pain and anxiety. You do not have to be in your final few days to receive hospice services and hospice does not make death happen faster. Death on our earthly home is certain for all of us and I believe everyone should have a sense of control and peace of mind regarding how that exit looks for them. Outside of my career, I enjoy time with my son, dogs, spending time outdoors, and reading. My family has been touched by terminal illnesses through my mother with Alzheimer’s disease and my grandmother with heart failure. I understand just how important support is through every stage of life. I have lived in Nash County most of my life and am grateful to be trusted to support and to serve you and our community.

I became a nurse practitioner because I wanted to maximize how I cared for my patients by caring for them in a completely well-rounded aspect. After learning more from Dr. Ashley Strickland about spine and spine surgery, I began to merge my passions into the orthopedics and spine specialty. I also have a passion for family medicine in general, so I do try to talk to my patients about their health in its entirety at all appointments. My approach to patient care includes treating patients as if they were one of the members of my own family. I do not treat health and patient care like a game, and I endeavor to create trust and maintain transparency with my patients. I know that my care for the patient may be the deciding factor on whether or not they are comfortable disclosing additional information and maintaining the current treatment plan. When I am not at work, I love gardening, spending time with family and outdoors, running and watching Law and Order.