Abbey K. Ritter, MSN, APRN

My specialty, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, is dedicated to improving quality of life for patients by helping to maintain or improve their function over time. My core objective is to help people lead better lives through coordinated, non-surgical treatment of muscle, joint and spine problems. I listen with great care and intention to my patients to better understand the problem, its effects on their lives and their goals for treatment. I perform a thorough, hands-on physical examination to help establish a diagnosis. I then work collaboratively with my patient and others to create an individualized treatment plan for treatment and prevention. Treatments are carried out by the patients themselves or with the help of a team of providers that I help to coordinate. The team may consist of other physicians or other health professionals. I provide guidance for physical and occupational therapy programs and perform targeted manual therapy and fluoroscopic and non-fluoroscopic injections. By seeing patients as a whole, rather than by simply addressing their symptoms, I empower my patients to manage their own medical problems and help them stay as active as possible at any age. An interdisciplinary approach I believe strongly in the value of an interdisciplinary approach to medicine and to problem solving, in general. This approach is integral to the practice of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Health care, like the world around us, is changing rapidly. Such change demands flexible thinking and the ability to collaborate with others who offer fresh perspective and new ways of seeing. These skills are critical to the creative problem solving needed to meet the challenges that we face as professionals and caregivers. I believe that the future belongs to those who are able to think creatively, work collaboratively and integrate solutions from outside of the discipline in which we have historically been trained. I feel fortunate to practice a medical specialty that embraces the interdisciplinary mindset and to work alongside nurses, surgeons, anesthesiologists, therapists and social workers in the Center for Pain and Spine where I have the opportunity to apply this approach daily for the benefit of my patients. Rehabilitation is, by nature, positive and forward-looking. I help patients improve their quality of life by meeting goals that they have set, based upon what is important to them in their daily lives. These goals and the treatment methods used to achieve them are as varied as the patients I see, but the process is always very rewarding for me.

Vascular surgery allows me to form long-term relationships with my patients. Although I perform surgeries, much of my work also involves working with patients to treat chronic diagnoses, such as diabetes and coronary heart disease. I enjoy talking with my patients to help them understand their diagnosis and treatment options and to learn what matters most to them. I try to clearly explain the risks of benefits of potential treatments. Together we decide on a treatment plan that focuses on their goals and value system. I am also sensitive to the needs and input of my patients' family members. As the patient's primary support system, they can help patients with their treatment plans at home. They can also notice early warning signs of problems. I do everything I can to make sure that everyone is comfortable with the treatment plan.

As a nurse practitioner, I believe it is important to provide compassionate, personalized care by acknowledging each patient’s individual situation, actively listening to their concerns or questions, as well as providing education to both the patients and their loved ones. I strongly believe patients should feel well-informed and empowered to advocate for themselves and what is most important to them during their medical journey. With a background in oncology nursing, I also find it to be beneficial to approach every patient situation holistically, being mindful of the psychosocial impacts a diagnosis may have on each individual.