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There’s a friendly new face in the office of Dr. Algimantas Kerpe this fall. It belongs Mrs. Kehinde Olaitan who will be completing her first clinical rotation as part of the University of Alabama School of Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner program.  She joins Dr. Kerpe with the objective of studying internal medicine and gaining solid clinical experience as part of an established medical practice.

Kehinde, pronounced “ka-HIND-dee,” made a big move from Florida to Illinois in January due to a job change for her husband.  In August, she began orientation with Dr. Kerpe and his staff at the solo, primary care practice in Geneva.  Her clinical term officially started in September, and since that time, she has quickly become a valued member of the Kerpe team.

Kehinde works with Dr. Kerpe on her two clinical days each week. On those days, she joins him for each appointment and meets with adults who are scheduled for issues ranging from acute sick visits to annual wellness exams. Kehinde usually enters the exam room first and introduces herself. Next, she sets up the note for the visit; then takes vitals, reconciles medications and records the initial history and reason for the visit. Dr. Kerpe, then, enters the room for the examination.

Her preliminary work helps Dr. Kerpe by organizing detailed information for him. In addition, Kehinde performs ECGs and gives some types of vaccinations, just a few other ways she helps Dr. Kerpe and staff. He uses the time following the exam to teach and consult with each other. She also interacts with Carol Vallo, clinic manager; Cathie Priest, receptionist; and Rebecca Guio, APN, nurse practitioner.

One of the toughest aspects of her clinical training, according to Kehinde, is trying to learn complex medical information as well as the office workflow.  It’s difficult to jump into a well-developed routine that touches everyone from the front office, lab, billing, the physician, and the patient. The best part of her experience, she said, is that everyone at Dr. Kerpe’s office is very nice and patient.

What inspires this energetic, resident of Naperville to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner? “I have always wanted to transition from a bedside RN to a more advanced and independent role,” she explains. “My passion for health promotion, disease prevention, and improvement of health outcomes drove me to want to become an NP.”

According to Dr. Kerpe, “Kehinde is a delight to work with and also a quick study with clinical material and our not-so-user friendly EMR (electronic medical record) system.” As most of his patients already know, Dr. Kerpe has a passion for teaching and sharing his more than 35 years in medicine with others.

“The energy the room really explodes.” Dr. Kerpe explains. “We challenge each other intellectually while working together with the patient. The end result is a very fluid interaction that flows between Kehinde, the patient, and myself. It benefits us all and, therefore, we all are able to grow.”

During her time outside of the Kerpe office, Kehinde is busy studying and working in another medical setting. Her favorite things to do, she says, are meeting with friends; going to movies; and even adrenaline-inducing sports like parasailing! However, Kehinde admits that she may have to tone down her daredevil tendencies in the very near future. She and her husband are expecting their first child in December! Entering parenthood, while simultaneously pursing an advanced nursing degree and being employed, is just another challenge that this go-getter is tackling and skillfully managing. Kehinde looks forward to celebrating the baby’s arrival with her family in Nigeria and Texas next year.

Kehinde’s semester of clinical hours for her Family Nurse Practitioner program with Dr. Kerpe will conclude in November.