By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist

After graduating in May 2002 from Jackson High School in her hometown of Jackson, Alabama (with an Advanced High School Diploma), Michelle McKenzie began her eight-year journey of nursing care, science and professionalism.

At the University of Alabama at Birmingham she received her Bachelor of Science in December of 2008 and became a registered nurse.

In two more years she earned her Master of Science in Nursing and became a Family Nurse Practitioner certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

While still being trained and educated at UAB she held positions at the hospital in orthopedics, geriatrics and medical-surgical from 2009-2012.

McKenzie also served as an Adjunct Clinical Instructor for the Accelerated Masters Program during 2011.

In May 2012 McKenzie came on staff with American Family Care as a certified registered nurse practitioner.

Utilizing a high level of expertise (diagnostic skills, excellent rapport and patient advocacy) to maintain health, prevent illness and provide comfort to patients and their families is a critical part of McKenzie’s job.

“Being able to demonstrate critical thinking, ethical and clinical reasoning, reflection, problem solving and foresight to identify future needs of our patients and collaborating with other health care providers to make available the highest level of all-inclusive care to our patients is part of that overall process,” she said.“I enjoy interacting and helping people with different backgrounds as well as being an advocate for their healthcare needs. I also enjoy caring for people and sharing knowledge to promote health, which is definitely an important aspect of nursing.  Being able to gain knowledge and collaborate with my supervising physician, Dr, Guttikonda, has been a wonderful experience.”

McKenzie’s long-term goal is to use her extensive education to excel in the field of nursing and give back to people in need.

American Family Care was founded over 30 years ago. Today there are 143 clinics and 250 physicians caring for more than two million patients a year.

AFC is the world’s leading provider of urgent care and family care.