Amanda Fletcher is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner who works with our sports medicine patients. She's been working for the hospital for 3.5 years. Learn more about her in our Staff Spotlight below: 

What’s your favorite part of your job?
I like seeing patients throughout the continuum of care. They come in with an injury that is often devastating for them, they often have surgery, and then we guide them through rehabilitation. Ultimately, my favorite thing is having the privilege of telling them that they can return to full sports and activities and congratulating them on overcoming that hurdle.

What’s your favorite thing about the hospital?
I love the popcorn and the fact that we treat anyone and everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Describe a typical day.
I work closely with Dr. Henry Ellis every day. A couple of days a week, we see young athletes in our Sports Medicine clinic at our North Campus. I order and review X-rays, perform physical exams and provide recommendations to the patient and team for future care. On surgery days, I meet with patients and families to review the consents as well as the patient’s history and physical exam. In the operating room, I assist in positioning and draping the patient, and during the procedure I prepare grafts, hold retractors, pass instruments, close the incisions and apply the brace or splint. Between cases I educate families and ensure they understand all of their instructions and help with coordinating their care and discharge.

How did you find out about the hospital?
I worked another local pediatric hospital for about 9 years and always admired Scottish Rite Hospital. A friend of mine from undergraduate and graduate school worked here as an nurse practitioner.

What made you want to work here?
I have always played sports and am grateful for many healthcare providers who cared about me and my sports goals. I wanted to do the same for other kids.

What skills do you need for your job?
We learn many clinical and technical skills in nursing school such as assessing, being a good communicator, staying organized, developing trust, and creating a plan of care. As a nurse practitioner, I have added to my skills by diagnosing, prescribing, interpreting imaging, and performing many procedures.

What was your first job? What path did you take to get here?
I was an assistant for a photographer in high school. I always knew I wanted to be in the medical field. I was pre-med in college but decided to obtain a Bachelors in Nursing. During my time in nursing school, I learned about nurse practitioners and decided that was my goal after I worked for a few years. I worked as a nurse in the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) where I had done a nurse externship. I worked as a nurse in psychiatry before I moved to work part-time in a surgery recovery room while finishing my graduate degree. I started training to be a mental health nurse practitioner but decided I liked the bedside too much so I changed to pediatric nurse practitioner. I enjoy learning and also enjoyed a variety of settings so I worked for and obtained both primary care and acute care certifications.

What is your favorite…
Hospital event: Christmas Party
Food in the cafeteria: Does popcorn count? Anything from the sandwich station is amazing.
Place in the hospital: Popcorn Desk

What’s your favorite…
Place to travel: Jamaica   
Type of food: Tex-Mex
TV show: This Is Us

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
My super power would be the ability to be in two places at once. I love my work, but I have two young boys and a wonderful husband I would like to be with all day as well as family in Houston and West Virginia. I definitely have FOMO (fear of missing out) sometimes.

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
I swam with dolphins in the wild.

What’s the last book you read?
Two by Two. I like anything by Nicholas Sparks.

What kind of animal would you be?
I love pandas. They eat and play all day.

What is something people don’t know about you?
I lived in Singapore for a couple of years during elementary school and junior high.

What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Nobody wants me to karaoke, including my own children, but if I must it would probably be something by Garth Brooks.