As part of our celebration of National Doctors’ Day coming up next week, Mercy Health is proud to recognize the talented, dedicated physicians who care for us. Our ministry also wants to express appreciation for advanced practice clinicians, who partner with physicians in a team-based approach to providing the best possible care to the people in our communities.
When it comes to providing compassionate care to her patients, Catherine “Catee” Weathers, a nurse practitioner, is quite well-versed.
“I think the most important thing to me is that my patients feel heard,” Catee says. “They want to be part of the care – so listening to their concerns and taking the time to really communicate with them is key.”
As a provider at Mercy Health – Maineville Primary Care, Catee credits her somewhat untraditional education background for elevating the level of care she is able to provide for her patients. She received her bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from Ohio University, and then explored growth opportunities from there.
“After I graduated, I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do,” she shares. “I worked to become a certified nurse aide and loved it, so then I went back and got my master’s in nursing and post-master’s at Xavier University. Nutrition and exercise are my passion, and being in primary care allows me to use my dietetics degree in a lot of different ways. It feels like I’m marrying the two areas, and it works really well.”
Catee also recognizes her mentor, Matthew Witsken, MD, for helping her grow into her role as a new graduate.
“I really value him as a physician – he’s a very good teacher and sounding board,” Catee says. “He’s always willing to answer my questions, and it’s helped me in so many ways. He was the one who really shaped me into the nurse practitioner I am today. I can truly say that if it wasn’t for him, I don’t know if I would be working at the capacity that I am. He has allowed me to grow as I learned.”
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Catee shares that it’s been especially rewarding to see her patients’ continued progress and success.
“It’s really just giving my patients the tools to succeed – they’re the ones doing the work,” Catee says. “I see a lot of patients coming in for mental health, or diabetes, and maybe they’re super nervous or they’ve gone to different providers for care. What’s rewarding is to be able to work with them over the course of six to eight weeks and really see them improve.”
When asked what she takes pride in most, Catee says that it’s when her patients continually come back to see her or refer her to others.
“I’ve had a fair number of patients follow me throughout my career or refer me to family members” Catee says. “That makes me feel very good. I know that I’m not going to always be the best fit for everyone, but I really like getting to build those relationships with my patients. It means a lot to them – and to me!”
Additionally, Catee says that her experience as a nurse practitioner within our ministry has been particularly fulfilling.
“Mercy Health does a very good job at making nurse practitioners feel included,” Catee shares. “I feel like they really try hard to make us feel appreciated, and that’s why I’ve stayed here so long. We’re seen as important, and I think that says a lot about us as a health system.”
Help us celebrate National Doctors’ Day by sharing a heartfelt message of appreciation for your provider! Please visit mercy.com/doctorsday before March 30 to submit your message of thanks.
