By Emma Way
Elm Staff Writer
Beverly Clark, the new nurse practitioner at the Health Center, takes the Center’s standard of exceptional care and maintaining a welcoming community to a whole new level. Clark’s bubbly personality and passion for helping people in any capacity has served as a great asset for the Health Center, even after only working here for a short time.
In high school, Clark was torn between becoming a nurse or a teacher. She considered both professions because she wanted to lend a helping hand in whatever career she decided upon. Eventually she decided that becoming a nurse would be best for her.
“I wanted a career that I could support myself with and… take care of people,” she said. “I chose nursing because I wanted to help people but also because in nursing you do a lot of teaching and educating patients and their families.”
She furthered her education at Wesley College, and then worked as a certified nurse for a few years. Clark loved working directly with the patients who came in for help because she was able to truly build relationships with them.
Clark decided that she wanted to work toward a more advanced degree, but did not want to give up her passion for helping patients directly.
“I liked clinical work: seeing and taking care of patients,” she said.
These two factors led her to pursue a degree as a family nurse practitioner. Attaining the certification as a nurse practitioner would allow her to get an advanced degree, but still take care of patients in a clinical setting.
Having lived in Kent County her whole career, Clark has a deep love of the community and the people in it. For years she has taken her three children to the College’s campus to enjoy the wonderful events it has to offer.
“She has a vested interest in Chestertown and Washington College as a citizen of Kent County,” Lisa Marx, director of Health Services, said.
The transition from working at the Chester River Hospital Center and Chestertown Pediatrics, to now, caring for students at the Health Center has been what she sees as the ideal mix between adults and children.
“College students are the perfect integration. They still need some nurturing, but they are young adults,” Clark said.
Clark’s excellent qualifications and extensive skills made her the best choice for the WC Health Center team.
“Beverly is double board certified as both a pediatric and family Nurse Practitioner. She has excellent clinical skills and judgment… and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience,” said Marx.
So far, working at WC has exceeded Clark’s expectations and proved to be an outstanding opportunity.
“I like the feel of the College community. It is a really close knit community,” she said.
The college students especially have made for a truly enjoyable work environment for Clark. They come to the Health Center for issues ranging from physical injuries or illness to emotional guidance. Whatever help a student needs, Clark does her best to provide. She said, “I get to have a relationship with them and build rapport.”
An opportunity like this has been like a dream for Clark. After working in the community for 22 years, Clark has found somewhere she plans on staying for a long time. People in this college community stay for decades and she is truly thrilled to be part of a community; she can grow for many years to come with WC.