WRHS’ Newark Medical Clinic reopens
BATESVILLE — The Newark Medical Clinic reopened Dec. 1, said Gary Paxson, president and CEO of the White River Health System. The clinic is at its previous location, 501 Vine St. in Newark. Kerstie Metzger, who is an advanced-practice registered nurse and a board-certified family nurse practitioner, is the provider at the clinic.
Metzger provides primary care, including wellness exams, to patients of all ages. She is focused on providing quality care to residents of Newark and surrounding areas, as well as maintaining direct communication with her patients and the health care community.
Metzger earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock and a Master of Science in Nursing degree from Chamberlain University. She is board-certified as a family nurse practitioner by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Metzger has worked at White River Medical Center for seven years, including in areas such as the cardiac step-down unit and the emergency department, and in numerous clinics as a float nurse and a nurse practitioner. Her broad experience in family medicine, critical care and emergency care have given her the knowledge to fulfill her new role.
“I’m excited to bring a community health care clinic back to this area,” Metzger said. “It’s great when patients have access to health care so close to home. I hope everyone feels welcome to come see us and feels like family when they walk through the doors.”
“I have always been drawn to rural health because of the personalized care you can provide to patients. In rural health, you get to spend more time getting to know the patients, and they spend less time in waiting rooms.”
Metzger grew up in Pleasant Plains. She and her husband of two years, Hayden, have two Labrador retrievers, Dixie and Josey, and enjoy traveling, being outdoors and spending time with family.