Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 2, 2020

KH . ORG 13 Kaitlin Wendt, MSN, CNP, ACNPC-AG, CCRN Hospitalist Tell us a littlebit aboutyou andyour family: I’m married and have one dog. Whydidyoupickyour specialty? I chose hospitalist medicine because I think it’s important for people to have someone managing their internal medicine needs while they are in the hospital. What canpatients expectwhen theyfirstmeetwithyou? Hospitalists see patients when they are admitted to the hospital and coordinate their care while they are here. As a hospitalist, I help manage new medical problems, along with any chronic conditions a person has. What are someofyour hobbies? I like outdoor activities, like hiking and skiing. In my free time, I enjoy doing anything active and reading. What drewyou toKootenai Health? I was drawn to Kootenai Health after spending time here as a student. I was impressed with the way Kootenai Health is able to make an impact in their community. I also quickly noticed how kind and compassionate the staff members at Kootenai Health are and knew it was a team I would be lucky to be a part of. What isyour favoritehealthy tip? My favorite healthy tip is to find something active that you enjoy doing so that exercising is something you can enjoy. What are someof your hobbies? I enjoy walking, yoga and quilting. What drewyou to Kootenai Health? I was actually a candy striper at Kootenai Health when I was a teenager, so I feel like I have come full circle. I was drawn to Kootenai Health because it provides excellent care while still maintaining a small-town feel and the personal interaction that is so often lacking in large health care systems. What isyour favoritehealthy tip? Get some sleep! In our busy lives, sleep is often the first thing we give up. Lack of sleep can lead to bigger medical problems than just feeling tired. It can affect our blood pressure, our mood and even our memory. So turn off your electronic devices and go to bed. To schedule an appointment, call (208) 625-5155 . What canpatients expectwhen theyfirst meetwithyou? I do my best to communicate on a personal level with each patient because although they may have something I see commonly, it affects everyone in a different manner. When surgery is warranted, I spend a lot of time walking patients through the process, from pre-op to eventual recovery. What are someofyour hobbies? Anything outdoors, but hunting, fishing and skiing are at the top of my list. I recently began taking jiujitsu lessons and have really enjoyed the challenge of learning something new. What drewyou toKootenai Health? I was blown away by the level of professionalism that I encountered when I came for my interview. Kootenai takes great pride in being a center of excellence for the patients of northern Idaho and beyond, and that is something I am proud to contribute to and be a part of. What isyour favoritehealthy tip? Don’t smoke and stay active!