Julianne Hunter, NP - Beacon Medical Group Trauma & Surgical Services

About Brett Hooker A life lesson Brett Hooker, NP, has learned and wants to share with others is to keep moving. Whether that is not taking breaks in getting an education or not getting set in a career path, this has been an important lesson for him. “I was Air Force-trained in electronics and thought I would never leave that career path. That changed in 2008, when I was laid off from AT&T,” he says. When he saw his mom, now a retired Registered Nurse working overtime, he decided to enroll in nursing school. His educational path stretched out for him and he says he wishes he had kept moving without pause. From his initial training at Community College of the Air Force, Hurlburt Field, FL, to his Master’s in Family Nurse Practitioner degree from South University, Savannah, GA, his education journey spanned 20 years. Then he spent nearly a decade with a health system that he never thought he would leave. Regardless of these unexpected changes, he has not regretted them. Through it all, Brett has gained practical life experience in jobs, which have ranged from hands-on electronic and mechanical systems work to treating the human body. His NP role focuses on wound care where he is responsible for assessing various types of wounds and determining treatment. “Wound care allows the care providers to see the patient progress from start to finish, which allows for me to feel like I accomplished a lot more in the process,” Brett says. “Also, patients come for appointments very regularly so you attain a friendship with many of them that is not as common in a lot of areas of health care.” Connecting with patients is an important part of how Brett treats people and he feels laughter is truly the best medicine. “I like to connect with many of my patients through humor, and it has never failed me to this point,” he says, adding, “it tends to put patients at ease, from my experience.” So, whether he is sharing a laugh or sharing his faith with someone who might be struggling, he describes himself as an open book. Brett stresses the importance of never judging a patient based on their behavior or attitude. “The most important lesson that I learned is that even the most difficult patients with the worst attitudes are typically just scared, sick, in pain, or angry at their situation,” he says. Ultimately, treating others as you want to be treated is something he sees as the basis of all interactions between human beings. In his own words… Who is or was the most influential people/role models in your life? Both of my grandfathers. One is stubborn but very wise, the other made everyone laugh constantly and was as kind as any human could be. Both were loving in their own ways. What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? I was a dishwasher at a restaurant in Culver, IN. The only thing that I really remember was that I was proud of my work ethic and that money doesn’t really fix or change anything other than material ownership. What is your favorite food? Movie? Favorite food is anything Asian, but Thai or Vietnamese food tops that list. As for movies, I have watched Army of Darkness too many times to count. It is such a silly movie, but it just has something about it that draws me in every time. What was your best/worst subjects in school growing up? I was, and am, terrible at math. I suppose this is due to absolute lack of interest. I was always good at science and history. These subjects kept me engaged. If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why? The only person that I would want to sit down to dinner with would be my Savior, Yeshua. I am not one to care for anyone’s status, so movie stars, etc., don’t impress me in the least bit. In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? Family and my faith What are your hobbies, interests? Deer hunting, ice fishing and gardening. I really need to find a hobby! Do you have pets? Godfrey – German Shepherd, 13 years; Roxi – Wire-Haired Terrier, 13 years; Maggie – Brindle Pug, 6 years (I like her more than all four of my children sometimes, LOL) What is something most people don’t know about you? My initials are B. A. Hooker. I love my parents so much for that naming error!

Dr. Kate Goze decided on a career in medicine when she was 15 years old. Being exposed to her grandmother who loved being a nurse, and spending time herself in the hospital for her own illness as a child confirmed this decision. "Not only was I raised knowing that nursing is a truly noble profession," Dr. Goze said, "but the comfort I felt knowing that the doctors and nurses would take care of me was something I knew I had to share with others." She began her career as a nurse in the Emergency Department at Memorial Hospital. Dr. Goze enrolled at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis to transition from registered nurse to physician, initially expecting to choose a path in Emergency Medicine. The more time she spent in the operating room, however, the more she realized surgery would be the perfect fit so she can care for patients throughout their journey. "I wanted to be able to see patients through their entire hospital experience and then back in the clinic after they recovered," Dr. Goze said. "This was the biggest thing that led me to a career in surgery. I fell in love with the operating room and the feeling of being able to ‘fix' a problem and see the result in a very rewarding way. I knew that there was no other job for me." Dr. Goze has returned to Beacon Health System because of its model for excellence and patient-centered care. "I hope my patients know that I truly care about their well being and their outcome. I treat each patient as if they are family; that way, I am certain that they are always getting my best," she said. "And my nursing background gives me a unique perspective and a very compassionate approach to patient care." What was your first job? My first job was babysitting. I loved it because I got paid to play! What's your favorite food? Chocolate. If it were up to me, it would be its own food group. In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? I love music. I enjoy playing the piano and I am learning the violin. I also enjoy attending live music and musical theater performances, as well as cooking, baking, hiking and spending time with my family. If you could sit down to dinner with anyone who would it be and why? I would have dinner with Neil Armstrong to discuss his journey to walk on the moon. Who is the most influential person in your life? My mother has always been a very important role model for me. She gave me both the courage to believe in myself, and the support to be who I wanted to become.

About Haley Haley Bywaters knew at an early age that she wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. Her inspiration came from her mother who was a nurse in a neonatal intensive care unit. “I watched how thankful parents were for everything she did to help their baby,” Haley says. Haley’s sister is also a nurse in a NICU. Haley chose to be an oncology nurse practitioner because she felt she could make an impact on patients’ lives. She provides treatment, symptom management and surveillance to help patients through their cancer journey. “Oncology patients are going through some of the hardest times in their life,” she says. “I want to help make their experience the best that it can be.” A strong desire to do what’s best for patients has guided Haley throughout her clinical career. She has provided patient care at Memorial Hospital since her clinical internship in 2017. Her approach is always to serve with compassion and be an advocate for patients. “I treat patients the way I would want my family treated,” she says. “I want patients to be able to decide how they want to treat their disease.” Like her mother, Haley is a lifelong learner. “I will forever be doing ‘homework,’” she says. “As a medical professional, it is our responsibility to know the best treatment options for our patients. Although I won’t be in school, I will continue to learn new things throughout my career.” Haley also learns from patients by listening to patients as they navigate through treatment. “Although patients may have the same diagnosis, they experience it differently and tolerate it in different ways,” she says. Patients also have taught Haley to enjoy life as much as possible because you never know what life can bring you. In Her Own Words Who is or was the most influential person/role model in your life? My mother was my most influential person because she taught me to be the best person that I can be. What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? A cook at Mancino’s/Pitt Stop in Granger. I remember smelling like fried food every time I left work. What is your favorite food? Movie? My favorite food is sushi or pizza. My favorite movie is ever changing. What are you passionate about? My friends and family. I would not be where I am today without them, and they are my rock.