Kristen Damon, FNP-BC, recently joined VCU Health Family Care at South Hill. Damon resides in Midlothian and comes to us from VCU Medical Center in Richmond. Her family is from Emporia, so she is familiar with the area.

With 17 years of experience in nursing in emergency and critical care, Damon went back to school and earned a master’s degree in nursing from Chamberlain University with a certification to become a family nurse practitioner. Damon was motivated to go back to school to do her part in alleviating the shortage of primary care services in medically underserved areas. Mecklenburg County in Virginia and Warren County in North Carolina are both considered medically underserved areas by the Health Resources and Services Administration.

The good news is VCU Health Family Care in South Hill is accepting new patients and has six providers to better serve you.

“I like to build relationships with my patients and have that rapport,” Damon said. “The more you know your patients the more you’re likely to pick up on subtle changes and know what is normal and what is not normal for them.”

Damon has a chronically sick child and therefore has been on both sides of the spectrum, as a medical provider and as a patient’s concerned caregiver. Her patients describe her as personable and respectful.

“I treat everyone like I want to be treated,” Damon said. “I am open and make sure my patients understand and come to terms with whatever they’re going through. There have been many times I’ve held hands, comforted and given hugs because that’s what my patients and their family members need at that time.”

When she’s not working Damon likes to spend time with her twin daughters, three cats and two dogs. After working various evening and overnight shifts throughout their lifetimes, she’s looking forward to working a set schedule and being with her children in the evenings.