Ashley S. Barnes, MSN, ANP-C

Karen Benton Vernon, MSN, AGNP is a dedicated healthcare provider affiliated with UNC Health Care in Goldsboro, NC. Specializing in Wound Healing, Karen Benton Vernon offers expert care and support to patients in need of advanced wound treatment. Generated from their website's infomation

Ever since I attended a nursing camp in middle school, I have known that I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. I enjoy caring for people and their well-being; becoming an advanced practice provider is just an extension of who I am. I truly believe in providing care to the whole individual. This philosophy of care includes recognizing that there are many things that influence our ability to care for ourselves and the decisions we make about our health. It is important to address such influences in a way to promote health, prevent disease and manage illness. Though the most up-to-date standards of care are the foundation of my practice, it is crucial to individualize care to achieve the best outcomes for my patients. While I am a Family Nurse Practitioner, I have primarily cared for adults and geriatrics. In addition to the management of acute and minor illness, I have a special interest in the care of complex chronic patients. When I am not working, I enjoy relaxing at home, spending time with my husband and children, and serving in my church.

I chose to become a Nurse Practitioner for the opportunity to better serve the patients I care for and my community. I am passionate about healthcare and believe that having access to high-quality care is essential to health and wellness. Becoming a Nurse Practitioner has given me the ability to help improve my community’s accessibility to quality, patient-centered care. I truly believe that health and wellness differ for everyone. I like to approach patient care as a partnership between myself as a provider and my patients. I believe by collaborating as partners in health, each patient will have the best opportunity to receive high-quality, patient-centered care. My philosophy as a Nurse Practitioner is to empower my patients by giving them the patient education, tools and confidence needed to make well-informed decisions about their health. Areas that I am particularly interested in as a provider include preventive health, nutrition, management of inflammatory disorders and improving gut health. Outside of working as a Nurse Practitioner, I enjoy being active. I spend most of my time outdoors golfing, spending time at the beach, kayaking or gardening. During my down time, I love to read and relax with family and friends.