JoAnn Lepke is...
a board-certified Nurse Practitioner, with years of experience caring for and treating patients of all ages. She has been practicing in Hawaii since 2012, after relocating from the North Shore of Massachusetts.
She is a contributing author in the following books:
• Primary Care: A Collaborative Practice, 5e
• Case Studies in Geriatric Primary Care & Multimorbidity Management
JoAnn attained her Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Connecticut, MBA from the University of Hartford, and Master of Science in Nursing from Simmons College. In addition to years of providing direct patient care, JoAnn’s diverse background provides an extensive breadth of knowledge and experience. She is married, with four grown children and three grandchildren. In her spare time, JoAnn enjoys time with her husband, stand up paddling, golf, gardening, and baking.
What is a Nurse Practitioner?
A nurse practitioner (NP) is a clinician that blends expertise in diagnosing and treating health conditions with a comprehensive perspective. An NP provides a unique emphasis on the health and well-being of the whole person, always taking into account health promotion, disease prevention, and health education and counseling.
Nurse practitioners:
Order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests
Diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions
Prescribe medications and other treatments
Perform various procedures (biopsies, skin cancer surgeries, cosmetic procedures, and more)
Provide education about disease prevention and positive lifestyle choices
All NPs must have a master’s or doctoral degree along with advanced clinical training beyond their initial registered nurse preparation. Nurse practitioners are nationally certified and participate in ongoing professional development. NPs are licensed in all states and practice under the rules and regulations of the state in which they are licensed, and provide high-quality in all communities. There are over 234,000 nurse practitioners licensed in the United States, up from 106,000 in 2010.
According to US News & World Report, nurse practitioners have a “preventative, holistic focus.”* More time is spent with patients listening and discussing preventative health issues and treatment options. JoAnn encourages questions and strives to understand her clients’ concerns. Patient understanding of their skin and suggested treatments is an integral part of her practice.
*L. Esposito, "9 Things to Know About Nurse Practitioners," US News & World Report, 10 June 2014.