Shana Clarkson, APRN, NP-C

Her husband’s retirement brought Bartonville, Illinois native and experienced cancer provider DeeDee Simmons to a farm in northeast Missouri. The move also brought DeeDee to Blessing Health System where she shares the skill and knowledge gained in two decades of providing cancer care to patients of the Peoria area. “When people come to work in oncology, I don’t think they hardly ever leave. You get an understanding of how precious life is, and of the importance of offering grace and kindness and meeting people where they are. It’s very important to me that when I meet a patient, they feel that they are my main focus. I‘m very calming, in that I bring a sense of peace and grace.” DeeDee’s love of nursing and oncology began when she cared for three boys of an oncology nurse who worked the night shift. “I admired her so much. I wanted to emulate what she was.” When not walking along side her patients on their cancer journey, you may find DeeDee in another special place. “You put me on the bank of a lake or river, or in a boat, and I turn into a fishing maniac.”

Ashley Martin, MD in Quincy, IL, offers a comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program designed to support patients recovering from heart events such as heart attacks and surgeries. Their program is recognized for its commitment to excellence, certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, and features a structured physical fitness regimen along with wellness classes focused on healthy living. The rehabilitation process encompasses three phases, beginning with inpatient guidance during recovery, followed by a 12-week outpatient regimen that includes physical and educational components, and concluding with a maintenance program for ongoing fitness. Patients receive personalized care tailored to their specific needs, ensuring a supportive environment that emphasizes family-like treatment throughout their recovery journey. Generated from the website

I’m dedicated to getting to the bottom of a patient’s situation and getting the answers and treatment they need to get better.