Rainy Lake Medical Center officials are excited to announce Elizabeth Lessard, DNP, FNP, has joined Rainy Lake Clinic’s family practice team, and will begin seeing patients at the end of August.
Lessard has strong connections to the community, having served as a family nurse practioner at Essentia Health in International Falls. She said she will continue to meet Borderland’s healthcare needs at Rainy Lake Clinic.
“Prior to working as a nurse practitioner, I worked in a number of different healthcare settings including: long-term care, home care with pediatric patients with complex health needs, and acute care hospital,” Lessard said. “The experiences through these roles, combined with nine years of working as a family nurse practitioner in our community, will help meet the needs of patients I will see at RLMC.”
Lessard obtained her license of practical nursing from Rainy River Community College in 2001, and graduated from Hibbing Community with a registered nurse, associates of science degree in 2003. Lessard went on to further her education at Bemidji State University, graduating with a bachelor’s of science in nursing degree in 2010. She then obtained a doctorate in nursing practice from St. Scholastica in 2014.
“We are truly excited to welcome Elizabeth to our Rainy Lake Clinic team,” said RLMC CEO Robb Pastor. “Her clinical knowledge and skills, collaborative approach to patient care and focused attention to quality standards fit the culture of care at our organization.”
Lessard commended Rainy Lake Medical Center’s culture and community involvement, noting the important role that plays in a rural community.
“From small to large events, it seems RLMC is present in some capacity,” she said.
In addition, Lessard said the format of having administration within the same walls as their employees allows employees to have their voices heard, and any necessary changes to be made quickly.
“I feel this results in improved quality of care the patient receives,” Lessard said.
Lessard and her husband, Mitch, have two children, Aftin and Jaevin, who she said keep them very busy. The Lessard family enjoys traveling in their spare time.
While Rainy Lake Clinic waits for Lessard’s schedule to open, registration officials have created a waiting list for her patients. To be put on that list, call Rainy Lake Clinic at 218-283-5503, option 5.
About RLMC
RLMC offers emergency care, surgery, cardiology rehab and diagnostics, chemo and infusion therapy, family medicine clinics, radiology, obstetrics and gynecology, therapy services, hosts sleep studies, laboratory services, respiratory therapy, orthopedics, swing bed care – both acute and skilled nursing.
