Cortney Conklin, MSN, APRN, NP-C joins Heritage Hospice, Inc.'s Palliative Care Program

September 6, 2019 | by mbaker

Heritage Hospice, Inc. is pleased to welcome Cortney Conklin MSN, APRN, NP-C to the palliative care team. Conklin began her career with Heritage Hospice, Inc. on May 1, 2019 and is thrilled to have the opportunity to work in end-of-life care. “I just want people to know they have options,” Conklin said. “And that sometimes patients have a better quality of life if we can get their symptoms under control instead of constantly trying to find a cure.” Medicine has always been a passion of Conklin’s. She started her nursing career at Our Lady of Belfont Hospital in Ashland, KY in 2011. She then moved on to Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center working in the ICU department, where she was quickly promoted to charge nurse of the ICU in 2014.

Working with Heritage Hospice, Inc. has long been a career goal for Conklin. After watching her grandfather, who had been diagnosed with hereditary emphysema, suffer through curative treatment options instead of symptom management, which is a key component of palliative care, she knew she could make a difference. “People don’t want to have the hard conversations, because as doctors and medical providers we are trained to cure or fix someone. Palliative care offers an alternative approach and can improve the quality of life of the patient.” Heritage Hospice, Inc. is honored to have Conklin as part of the palliative care team. Working alongside Delanna Clark, DNP, APRN, ACCNS-AG, Conklin is enjoying getting to offer patients quality care right in their homes. “Even on our patients’ best days they can still be admitted into the hospital. My goal is to keep them out of the hospital and for them to have as many good days at home as possible.” For more information about Heritage Hospice, Inc. and palliative care services, call 859-236-2425.