Kristine Gilkerson, APRN, CNP

A nurse practitioner in palliative care

Kristine Gilkerson developed her interest in cardiology from her experience working as a critical care nurse.

"I was excited by the variety of patients and diagnoses I was seeing in cardiology," she says.

The native of northern Wisconsin works with primary care physicians and specialists to ensure the highest quality of life for patients at Marshfield Clinic Health System’s Heart Failure Improvement Clinic.

"We have a threefold mission – to help patients live longer, feel better and stay out of the hospital," she said. "It’s rewarding to improve a patient’s quality of life and help him or her to do more with any limitations they might have."

For Kristine, a personal approach is crucial to meeting this goal.

"My hope is that patients feel I provide them the best care available with a sense of compassion and a touch of humor," she said.

Kristine earned her master’s degree as a nurse practitioner from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.

She and her husband, Travis, have two children. Kristine enjoys reading, biking and geocaching, an outdoor treasure-hunting game using a GPS-enabled device.

Speaks: English