Willa Bowie, RN, is a valued member of our care team who provides quality care to our Charlotte, NC-area patients in the comfort of their own homes. As a member of their dedicated care team, she plays a key role in providing age-friendly, hands-on care – taking time to get to know and connect with patients without them ever having to leave the house.
A highly-skilled nurse with an associate’s degree in nursing from Herzing University, Willa has a breadth of experience in healthcare. She has cared for older adults in their homes, long-term care facilities, and skilled nursing facilities, and also spent a year as a travel hospice RN case manager, providing compassionate care primarily in patients' homes.
We asked Willa a few questions about her role as a Nurse Champion. Read on to learn about how she spends her spare time, what she enjoys about supporting Patina patients, and more.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself. What do you like to do in your spare time? Why did you become a nurse?
I am married and am lucky to have two sons. I live in Charlotte, NC, and find joy in swimming, traveling, sightseeing and spending quality time with my family. I consider myself a pretty adventurous person - I recently went indoor skydiving, have gone whitewater rafting, and even climbed a mountain. I am also exploring a newfound interest in biking. Anything to enjoy the outdoors and take on a new adventure!
My family is my motivation - they provide the daily fuel I need to make a difference in the lives of others. I became a nurse because I truly love getting to know my patients and their stories. I was a nursing assistant for six years before deciding to pursue a nursing degree.
Q: What were you doing before you joined Patina?
I was a hospice nurse. It was an honor to provide comfort and dignity to patients and their families during difficult times. It was there that I learned the value of providing high-quality, compassionate care to patients in the comfort of their own homes.
Q: What drew you to Patina?
It's important to me to work in a job that honors and supports older adults as they age. Patina offers all of that - and more. The promise of care that is truly patient-centric, combined with a determination to rethink and restructure the aging experience is what really drew me to the company. I wanted to be part of a trailblazing company that wholeheartedly values and celebrates older adults and the aging experience.
Q: What is the value of seeing patients at home / in their home environment?
Patina is special – I love that patients have the flexibility to request in-home visits, for those times when eyes-on, hands-on care is needed. Seeing patients in their own environment gives clinicians an opportunity to take a “peek behind the curtain,” so to say.
Through in-home visits, I can look around at their daily living environment and get a better understanding of what their life looks like. I can help come up with a plan that meets their individual needs, ensures their safety, and helps support their independence as they age. It’s truly a privilege to get to do what I do for our Patina patients.
Q: How do you work with your patients at Patina?
I get to travel to see patients in their own homes - it’s a gift! It allows me to help them feel more comfortable with healthcare in general and the care they receive from their Patina care team. With that familiarity, we are able to create deeper relationships and make more meaningful connections to each other. And with that comes trust, a key component of the relationship between a patient and their healthcare provider.
Q: How do you work with patients’ family members who want to stay in the loop and be involved with their loved ones' care?
This is a really great and ingenious quality about Patina! Through the Patina app and the way the company is built, we are able to keep loved ones in the loop, regardless of their location. We can make sure that they are informed via the app with shared notes that summarize the visits, they can send a message directly to the care team, and they can easily join virtual visits from wherever they are, which is great if they don't live near our patient or can't get to their home for the visit.
I’m always happy to have family members join our appointments or follow up with me directly if they have questions. Communication is important, and Patina is designed to make sure everyone can play a role in the care of their loved one.
Q: What life lessons have you learned from your patients?
To live in the moment, and never underestimate the importance of loving and appreciating people while you can. My patients are full of so much wisdom, and I am grateful when they share their life experiences with me.
Q: What is most rewarding about working at Patina?
Patina is all about transforming the aging experience for adults 65 and older. I’m thrilled to be on the forefront of change in an area that is so desperately needed, and look forward to seeing Patina continue to grow and serve this population!