Christina Renata Key, APRN-CNP

I chose family medicine practice because of the relationships you can build with patients. To me, it's all about the relationship with the patient and how I can help them and improve their quality of life.

I've had many avenues in life that led me to serving others through different ministry projects but it eventually pointed me toward medicine where I could best use my skills to help others. The most gratifying aspect of pediatrics is getting to send kids home from the hospital, watching them walk out the door better and with a smile.

I chose to go into medicine because of the care that I received as a patient from nursing staff at Mercy. I decided to advance as a nurse practitioner. I wanted to focus on long-term relationships instead of building a short-term relationship with a patient at the bedside that ends when they leave. Patients want a more long-term relationship so I can educate them, help them understand what they're going through. I am passionate about building relationships with my patients. That's very important to me because patients have to trust me and they have to trust what I'm telling them. The most gratifying part of practicing medicine is the relationships. I always try to make a connection with patients, whether at their bedside or in the clinic, where I see them again and again. That way, they respond to me in a positive way, so I know that I'm doing a good job and I know they're receiving what I have to give them.